Allegany, and Garrett. It was a situation, I learned, that demanded
prompt remedial action, and I accepted it as a responsibility of my
office to act vigorously, and to full extent of my authority as Governor,
to try to cultivate a climate that would create new job opportunities
for the people of the three counties.

It is most gratifying to me to return to Hagerstown now and to
see, first-hand, the important developments that have taken place and
the significant advancements that have been made. In that five-year
period, hope has replaced despair, and dejection has given way to
confidence. Enthusiasm for the present and faith in the future are
the order of the day. And while there may be reasons not to indulge
in complete jubilation, at least in Hagerstown you are no longer
"crying the blues. "

I, of course, am not claiming the credit for the success you have
had in getting your economy back on its feet. You, yourselves, deserve
this credit. But I am pleased, nevertheless, that it has happened during
the five years in which I have been privileged to serve as your chief
executive. The great advances that have been made in the three
counties of Western Maryland are apparent even to the casual ob-
server. Nevertheless, before coming here today I asked our Department
of Economic Development to supply me with some figures to support
these observations. Unemployment has been the crux of your economic
ills, and employment figures are the most reliable index of conditions.

I find that during a three-year period — from February, 1960, to
February, 1963, there was a net gain in employment in the three
counties of 2, 720, of which nearly 1, 700 were in the Hagerstown area.
In February, 1960, 31, 740 persons were employed in the Hagerstown
area. That was 88. 3 per cent of the civilian labor force of 35, 955. By
February of this year, the employment figure had risen to 33, 428,
which was 92 per cent of the total civilian labor force.

In the Cumberland area in February of 1960, 35, 300 persons were
employed, which was 89. 5 per cent of the civilian labor force. Three
years later this figure had jumped by 1, 200 to 36, 500, or 90 per cent
of the civilian labor force.

Let's flip the coin over and look at the figures on unemployment.
The rate of unemployment in the Hagerstown area in October of
1958 was 8. 3 per cent. In April of this year, it was down to 6. 4 per
cent, which was much closer to the national rate of 5. 5 per cent than
five years ago. In other words, we have seen a 25 per cent improve-
ment in the five year period. In the Cumberland area, which included

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