have been aware of this and have taken measures to meet the problem.
They have realized that its economic base for taxation must be
broadened by the attraction of industry, but industrial zoning has been
carefully programmed to avoid injury to residential areas. Here again
the county is most fortunate in that, situated as it is near the seat
of our national government, it is peculiarly suited to the more desirable
types of industrial plants—the light, scientific industries. The federal
government has established some of its finest and largest research
establishments here, including the National Institutes of Health, the
Naval Ordnance Laboratory and the Naval Medical Center. Some of
the world's greatest scientists are doing research in these laboratories.
This, of course, affords a great attraction to the kind of industry
Montgomery County needs to expand its economy without changing
its basic characteristic as a pleasant place in which to live.

In constructing this new generating station and in planning its
enlargement in the future, the Potomac Electric Power Company has
envisioned this industrial growth, along with the general growth in
population, and is making provisions for the increased use of electric
power in the area. That is what I had in mind in the beginning
when I offered my commendations to the company for its foresight.
I know we can expect it to grow along with this great community
and provide the public with the electric power that is needed. I
alluded earlier to the cooperation between PEPCO and the govern-
mental authorities of this county in the construction of this project,
and I should like to say a little more about this.

The handsome printed program for these dedicatory ceremonies grac-
iously acknowledges the help that was extended by these public of-
ficials, stating that "without their understanding assistance, our (that
is, PEPCO's) complex and multifarious tasks could not have proceeded
as rapidly as they did. " As Governor of the State, I should like to
pay a personal tribute to these county officers and agencies for working
closely with this private corporation in the construction of a project
that will be of enormous benefit to both. Montgomery County's repre-
sentatives in the General Assembly, its County Council, the Maryland-
National Capital Park and Planning Commission and others were very
helpful in what was a gigantic task, I have been told. The advice and
the assistance given by Melvin Reese, the County Manager, was of
inestimable value, a company official told me. It is quite apparent
to all of us that the Potomac Electric Power Company will be required
to expand its generating facilities if it keeps pace with the growth of
this community and fulfills its responsibility as a public utility.

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