of Governor Herbert R. O'Conor 219

Preventive Measures Relating to the Treatment of Espionage and Sedition;
Consideration of Civil Liberties and Civilian Cooperation; Treatment of Aliens,
their Registration, etc.; Machinery for Exchanging and Considering Proposals
Regarding Administrative Cooperation; lastly, Public Education to Secure
General Cooperation between Federal and State Governments and the citizens.

Any suggestions from this meeting might very well be communicated to
the National Conference and I am certain will receive the thoughtful considera-
tion they deserve. x

In summoning the members of this Council, I feel that no more important
call could be made upon them as citizens and I am gratified to report that no
person who has been appointed has declined to serve.

Our national experience of 23 years ago clearly showed that without plan-
ning such as this, many things might be done inefficiently and uselessly, and
that many millions of dollars of taxpayers' money might be wasted because of
hasty and ill-considered activities. With Councils such as yours functioning in
Maryland, as well as in other States, and with the time at hand in which to
give full consideration to plans for any eventuality, America may well be ex-
pected to do a much better preparedness job with less cost than was the case
in 1917.

The people of Maryland are particularly interested in such an accomplish-
ment and in cooperating toward its consummation. This is the under-lying
reason for the creation of this Council and the spirit in which the members
have answered the summons is evidence that Maryland will not fall behind
in any requirements that will confrnot her as developments occur.

SUSQUEHANNA RIVER BRIDGE OPENING

August 28, 1940
Havre de Grace—Perryville

IT is a source of satisfaction to participate in the dedication of this bridge,
representing as it does the last word in modern equipment of its kind. By
reason of its construction it is expected to serve generations, to add to enjoy-
ment and to make possible greater progress and development.

I consider it a sound investment because, while the initial cost is great,
it will expedite travel and, with the modern dual highway of which it is an
integral part, it will eventually result in lower transportation costs. Many
residents of this section have known, either from personal experience or through
report, of the days when the crossing of the Susquehanna River between Havre
de Grace and Perryville could not be made except on a train. The old railroad
bridge, completed in 1867 as well as the succeeding structure in 1906, became
inadequate for the traffic which developed as one decade followed another. It
was in 1937 that the State Legislature passed the Act authorizing the State
Roads Commission to construct, operate and maintain bridges and the bridge
program which was adopted under the preceding State administration included
this span.

While it is a fact that tolls must be charged, in accordance with the terms
of the indenture executed under the preceding administration, I look for the