of Governor Herbert R. O'Conor 351

makers, I am confident that the Members of that distinguished body will give
them favorable consideration, proposing such changes and modifications as they
may deem proper.

In referring to the Model bills, it is to be noted that some spokesmen
for Labor have expressed themselves in opposition to certain provisions con-
tained in these measures, if not "indeed to the general bills. Labor can be as-
sured that no intention existed to prohibit any legitimate undertaking or to
impair any rights or to change the advanced position which Labor has gained
through proper regard of any understanding public. As proof of this I might
refer to the clause in one of the Model bills, guaranteeing the rights of Labor,
which is as follows:

"Nothing in this Act shall be construed to impair, curtail or destroy the
rights of employees and their representatives to self-organization, to form,
join, or assist labor organizations, to bargain collectively through representa-
tives of their own choosing, and to engage in concerted activities, for the
purpose of collective bargaining or other mutual aid or protection. "

The truth is that Labor's interests will be protected through this legis-
lation and its future security will be assured. In other words, these effective
weapons to be used in self defense by democracy will be used to perpetuate
Democratic institutions which have accorded and will continue to accord Labor
its rightful recognition.

The changing international situation may well require broadening or
amending our Legislative and Administrative Program. For instance, the
President's Lease-Lend Plan and the proposed Total Defense Bill may well
render changes necessary in the Sabotage Act, as a specific instance, for the
bulk of our Defense industries then would be devoted to British aid, a. develop-
ment which is not sufficiently covered by the Model Act. Because of these, and
other developments that may occur, the joint conference structure should not
be permitted to disintegrate, for its importance, already proven, may and
probably would be greatly magnified if the present tense international situa-
tion becomes worse.

In addition to participating in the Federal-State Conference on law en-
forcement problems in connection with National Defense, a great many of the
States have organized Defense Councils which are engaged in making surveys
in their respective States covering industrial resources and protection; human
resources and skills; agricultural resources and protection; health, welfare, and
consumer interest; housing, works and transportation facilities; and civil pro-
tection of citizens and property; and all of this is being done in full coopera-
tion with the Council of National Defense.

We have in America the National Government, and forty-eight sovereign
. States, each with its own State Government, and, in normal times, differences of
opinion between the Federal Government and the various States have occurred,
—nor is there any novelty in difference of viewpoint between individual States.
However, like the members of the Irish family who continuously fought among
themselves, but who always banded together against any outside interference,
the Federal Government and the forty-eight States are united today against
all the enemies of our Country, and are prepared to act as a unit against any