of Governor Herbert R. O'Conor 525

When, a year ago,: the Council of Defense was appointed for the State, at
the request of the Federal authorities' in Washington, it Was felt that in view
of the experience of England and other attacked countries, there was a definite
field for the. cooperation of our women:: No one, 'however, at that time ap-
preciated thoroughly the vast scope of activities that the emergency would open
up to our women. It is noteworthy, however, that the women have met, and
even anticipated, the developments in splendid fashion.

Thanks to the screen, to the newspapers, and to the many correspondents
who have given us vivid picture of life: in England and other embattled
countries, all of us have a clear picture of what modern war means to; the
civilian population of a country. Therefore, when the Commander-in-Chief of
our Army and Navy, our President, called the Country to "battle stations" as
he did Monday in his Navy Day address, that call affects' not merely the
members of our sea and land forces. but every, able-bodied individual. throughout
the length and breadth of the Country. No, longer, is warfare, only for the Army
and Navy and their auxiliary units. Today, warfare is brought home to each
individual in the cities, on the, farms, and in factories, and each one must be
made fully cognizant of his or, her duties in case of emergency, and must be
trained to carry put these duties effectively.

Unlike the women of past generations, our women of today are just as
important cogs in the machinery of warfare as their sons and husbands and
fathers on the firing line and on the assembly line. In time of attack, they will
have their designated functions and will be expected to carry them out just as
definitely as if they were members of the armed forces.

In this period of Defense Preparedness in which we now are engaged,
there is not only room, but. there is definite need, for every woman who pos-
sesses any of the many qualifications that must be utilized in the multitudinous
phases of industrial and economical preparedness that now are necessary.

As no doubt all of you have been informed through your county chairmen,
and at your various meetings, there is plenty for every woman in our State to
do in the 15-point program that has been prepared by the Women's Division
of the Maryland Council of Defense.

Under Point 2 of this program, Registration, the Women's Division has
undertaken to register all women who are willing to give their leisure time for
volunteer service, and also those who will serve in case of an emergency. As
you know, many of our women already have been under training as air raid
spotters, and have participated in the maneuvers throughout a great part of
our State several weeks ago. This is only one of the many emergency duties,
however, which women will be expected to perform. Other duties in case of
greater emergency or attack will include service as auxiliary police, as fire
watchers, messengers, members of driver's corps, of emergency food and hous-
ing corps, and in nursing and as aids to nurses.

In addition to these duties, the training features of the program are im-
portant. If an all-out emergency should arise, there will be great need for
women to replace our men on the farms, in industrial concerns, and even in the
servicing of the many airplanes that will then be in service. Even now, in the