State Papers and Addresses

BALTIMORE AND OHIO EMPLOYEES
CUMBERLAND DAY—ARMORY

May 28, 1941

Cumberland

«

BOTH the City of Cumberland and the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad are to
be congratulated warmly today upon the occasion of this second Annual
Baltimore and Ohio Employees' Cumberland Day.

I imagine that the relationship between your City and the Railroad-*-! al-
most said, Your Railroad—if not unique among Capital-Labor relations of the
Country, at least sets an example of harmony and good-will that any community
and any industry might do well to study and emulate..

One of the finest gestures recorded in connection with the speeding up of
National Defense production plans was the action taken several months ago,
by the shopmen and maintenance-of-way men of the Baltimore and Ohio Rail-
road, in agreeing to work 48 hours a week instead of 40, at no increase in
wages.

With such a spirit of cooperation among the workers of the Country gen-
erally, America's requirements in the materials of war, and their transporta-
tion, would be realized so quickly, and so completely, that there could never be
any question of our being prepared and able, to defend ourselves against any
aggressor.

Particularly in this day and age, when hate is rampant throughout the
world, is it gratifying to see such an exhibition of continuing good-will on the
part of employers and employees, as is evidenced here today. There is so much
of discord and strife, so much of tragedy and suffering occasioned by the wars
raging in other continents, that today's celebration seems symbolic of the vast
difference that exists today between our own great Country of America, and
almost the entire remaining world.

Ten days ago the Nation and our State marked with appropriate cere-
monies, "I Am An American" Day, dedicated to emphasizing the privileges,
and the responsibilities, that accompany the acquisition of citizenship in this
land of ours. Privileged to live under such favorable conditions as now prevail
here, and which contrast so strongly with conditions in the remainder of the
world, I believe that it is the bounden duty of everyone to give thought to
this most important matter of our citizenship, and to realize fully what it
means to enjoy American citizenship.

The exercises of "I Am An American" Day were directed particularly to
the new citizens—those who had come of age during the year, or foreign-born
persons who had become naturalized within the twelve-month period. Con-
sideration of the true significance of Americanism, however, should have far
wider scope than is encompassed within the boundary of those two new groups
of citizens.