of Governor Herbert R. O'Conor 379

KOPPERS COMPANY—BARTLETT-HAYWARD DIVISION

April 30, 1941
Baltimore

IT is an inspiration to come here this afternoon to attend the ceremonies
incident upon the delivery to the Ordnance Department of the United States
Army of the first Anti-Aircraft Gun Carriers manufactured by the Koppers
Company, Bartlett Hayward Division.

The occasion is inspiring because it is one more evidence of the complete-
ness with which the people of Maryland have addressed themselves to the
stupendous task of adequate national preparedness.

We, in America, have ever been ready to boast of our splendid production
facilities, but boasting of potential production is a meaningless thing except
where it can be translated promptly into actual delivery of needed materials.

With these most necessary implements of air defense added to the many
hundreds of aircraft of every type now being sent to the Army and Navy and
to our British Allies from Maryland, and with the many other desperately
needed defense materials under production in factories of Maryland, our State
rightly can pride itself on the fact that we have whole-heartedly rallied to the
plea from Washington for production without stint.

In past wars all honors have been accorded, and rightly so, to the men on
the firing line. Unquestionably, in every war the fighting man will deserve
and receive the praise and lasting gratitude of all his fellow-citizens. Today's
highly mechanized warfare, however, where speed and overwhelming arma-
ments have upset in a few short months, the whole national situation in Europe,
the eyes of the nation will be upon the men on the production lines as well
as the men on the firing line.

With this feeling very definitely in our minds, therefore, as we are privi-
leged to participate in these stirring ceremonies, I bring to the officers and
workers of the Koppers Company, Bartlett Hayward Division, the confidence
of the people of Maryland. We appreciate -that your work is of the utmost
importance to the continued security of the Nation. We congratulate you on
your achievements to date, and bid you God-speed in your future efforts to
help consolidate our Country's all-important defense preparations.