stantial progress in preparing the State to meet any threat of cata-
strophe.

My Administration, working in conjunction with the Maryland
State Bar Association, prepared legislation providing for an orderly
succession to the Office of Governor in the event of a nuclear disaster.
The need for this legislation was quickly recognized by the General
Assembly, was easily passed and then was signed by me. It went to a
referendum and the people approved it by an overwhelming majority.
This to me is one clear indication that our legislators and the people
of Maryland understand the value of civil defense preparedness.

Working with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation
and the staff of the Maryland Civil Defense Agency at the regular
session of the Legislature this year, we were able to get introduced,
passed and signed into law legislation exempting fallout shelters
from property taxation. It is my understanding that only a few states
have similar legislation and that the Maryland law is the most work-
able one yet passed. This is another milestone in the history of civil
defense in Maryland.

At the dedication ceremony I referred to, I urged that our counties
devote more attention to disaster preparation. It is most gratifying
to me to note that they have taken this advice seriously. Just recently
I journeyed to Hickory, in Harford County, to attend the dedication
exercises of a splendid new county civil defense control center. That
underground installation closely resembles the one in which we are
meeting today. I am informed that still another such structure is
planned for Queen Amies County, and there may be others of which
I am not aware. I do know, however, that in almost every county of
the State, civil defense work is progressing at a faster pace than it was
a year ago.

We are deeply appreciative of the help the federal government is
giving us by sharing administrative costs with the State agency, and
with Baltimore City and many of the counties. Civil defense is a part
of the whole national defense picture, and we hope for further help
from the federal government....

Next week, I shall go to Hawaii to attend the 1961 National
Governors Conference, where we expect to go deeply into the matter
of civil defense. I shall be happy to report to the other governors the
great progress we have made in Maryland in civil defense.

Perhaps you know that today is graduation day for another recruit
class of the Maryland State Police. I am going from this meeting to

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