serious threat of a nuclear war. Tragic events of the past several days
have served to deepen the international crisis and thus have under-
scored the importance of the President's plea that we mobilize all of our
resources in a strong effort to safeguard ourselves against the threats of
communist aggression. This is one matter I believe we should discuss
here today. Another matter, separate but related, has to do with con-
ditions within our own State. I refer to the pressing problem of unem-
ployment and underemployment in labor surplus areas of Maryland.

Our Maryland Department of Economic Development has as one of
its primary functions the responsibility of fostering and developing oppor-
tunities for the gainful employment of the citizens of our State. In that
role, it strives to promote and encourage the location of new industries
and businesses within our borders and also to retain and expand enter-
prises already located here. Our objective is to determine how Mary-
land industries may contribute most to defense production and mobiliza-
tion readiness, and at the same time increase job opportunities for our
citizens. With the purpose in mind, I have asked our Department of
Economic Development to undertake a survey of the production capaci-
ties of our State. I have invited all of you here today to ask for your
advice and your cooperation as to how this survey can be made of great-
est value to all of your agencies.

The new Area Redevelopment Act requires the Secretary of Com-
merce to provide the procurement divisions of federal government agen-
cies with a list of firms in redevelopment areas which desire to obtain
government contracts for supplies and services. The Small Business
Administration, in keeping with responsibilities assigned to it under the
laws, gathers information of a similar nature about small businesses. We
in the government of Maryland recognize that federal defense agencies
have many needs for information about small businesses. At the same
time, we cannot help but feel that there must be ways in which our
Maryland Agencies can make it easier for the federal procurement
offices to do their jobs in Maryland.

Here are the things that I have asked you to come here today to
discuss:

1. In what ways can we plan and carry out our survey of defense
production capabilities in Maryland hi order to make the resulting
information most useful to all the interested federal agencies?

2. In what ways can we work with federal government agencies in
order to make it easier for them to enter into contracts with Maryland
firms?

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