of Governor Herbert R. O'Conor 217

be made of this State through conscription. In exercising certain authority
vested in the Governor, I desire to have available the advice of this Council.
The most carefully thought-out plans for the supervision by public-spirited
and respected citizens on local boards, appellate and advisory boards and in
other capacities will be more assured when the composite view from such a
group as this can be obtained.

Again, once the present military forces of the State are called into service,
it will be advisable to consider a secondary protective force for intra-State
purposes, either in cooperation with or in addition to the presently constituted
State police and local law enforcement agencies. The time may not be far
distant when we will be required to create a Home Guard, or other similar
organization, for the safeguarding of property and supplies and, even more
important, the lives of our citizens.

In taking up for consideration the question as to what general topics
should engage the attention of the Council, it might be explained that the
desire has been to give consideration to certain functional requirements.

Conferences already held between the Federal and State Officials indicate
that the following functional bases are important in the consideration of
national defense; man power, skilled labor, industrial and agricultural re-
sources, public health and hospitalization, education, civil protection, including
protection of civil liberties; housing, transportation and other facilities.

While the Council will be entrusted with the definite duty of coordinating
State activities with those of the National Government, it is particularly
important to avoid duplication of effort with any existing function of the
military forces and also to refrain from taking over any duties that can be
taken care of by existing agencies. Possibly one of the most valuable" con-
tributions toward efficiency in preparedness plans would be the sifting out and
discouragement of such duplication of effort or other valueless activities.

In outlining the matters which properly might be considered, it would not
be amiss to indicate what we might refrain from doing. We should not under-
take to advise or influence our National policy concerning this Country's in-
volvement in war. Again, it is not expected that this Council should legislate
for the State or Federal Government in matters under consideration, but should
proceed under the authority and direction of established law. As above in-
dicated, the Council should not assume those duties entrusted by law to exist-
ing State and Federal agencies, although in certain connections the advisory
expression of the Council may be welcomed by the authorities in regard to
pressing problems.

The President of the United States and the Congress are giving most
thoughtful consideration to the problems confronting the Country. Further-
more, in addition to the regular departmental activities, several important
groups are functioning, composed of leading citizens of our Country whose
generous efforts are inspired by patriotism and a desire to assist our Country.
I refer specifically to the Commission headed by Mr. Edward R. Stettinius and
Mr. William S. Knudsen. It is our hope that we may cooperate with such
groups and to have available for them the most authoritative and up-to-date
information which can be obtained relative to the resources of our State.

In summary the following points may be outlined as basic in the Council's
consideration, although not intended to limit its sphere of activity: