We are lacking in shelters to protect our families at home, at
school, at work or at public meeting places. We have no stockpiles
of food or water. Our citizens do not have adequate information on
how to care for themselves either before, during or after a nuclear
explosion. Our people are confused and perhaps still somewhat
apathetic. Our laws and administrative procedures are not, at present,
set up so as to give maximum encouragement to those who wish to
provide protection for their families in the event of an emergency.
Although there is a growing anxiety among Marylanders seeking
information and guidance in this area, I fear that unless we can
lead our citizens into action, the problems of preparing for an un-
certain future may become insurmountable.

No one need be reminded of the constant pressure being applied
on free nations of the world by the Soviet Union. It is clear that as
long as the Kremlin leaders think they can bully their opponents
into submission by threats of 100 megaton nuclear devices and the
like, they will continue to do so. There will be no change in this
policy unless free societies can demonstrate that they are ready to
defend their rights with a willingness to resist and fight back. We owe
it to our nation and to President Kennedy to demonstrate that will-
ingness now. As a result, I have called this meeting with the idea in
mind of preparing a plan of action for Maryland.

The immediate purpose of this plan is to inform our citizens of
the dangers of nuclear blast and fall-out and to acquaint them with
the steps which must be taken if we are to survive a nuclear attack.
Our long run purpose is to promote the establishment of mass public
shelters in schools, hospitals and places of work and to insure that
adequate steps are taken to provide emergency stockpiles of food,
water, medical supplies, fire fighting equipment and other materials
which may be needed in the event of an attack.

First, it is imperative that the civil defense units of Maryland be
coordinated. To accomplish this, a strong vertical structure must
evolve so that information from the federal, state and local levels
will flow into every household rapidly and without confusion.
Although many worthwhile booklets and pamphlets offering advice
on action to be taken in the event of nuclear attack are being
printed, this information is not being distributed widely enough.

A clear-cut example of what can be done in this area was offered
us two weeks ago when the Baltimore Evening Sun published 250, 000
booklets containing a series of articles on civil defense and then
enlisted the aid of the Boy Scouts in distributing this information

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