of Governor Herbert R. O'Conor • 563

COUNTY LOCAL DIRECTORS AND CHIEF AIR RAID WARDENS

CARVEL HALL

December 14, 1941
Annapolis

WITHIN one short week we have seen the whole pattern of America life
changed immeasurably. There has come to pass, as the result of the
treacherous assault by Japanese forces on our Island possessions last Sunday
a war threatened for a considerable period, but which the civilian popluations of
our Country never really expected to see.

In consequence, there is forced upon the people of our State and of our
Country, unwilling as many minds have been to accept it, the realization that
America is in a struggle the outcome of which may determine not only our
survival as a nation, but the survival of Democracy as a system of Govern-
ment and as an ideal of humankind throughout all the world.

Even when this meeting was planned by our State Defense officials several
weeks ago, there may have been a question in some of your minds as to whether
the program to be presented here would ever have any practical application in
our lives. There is no question now. We know, just as definitely as it is pos-
sible to realize any fact, that we are faced with the immediate organization
and completion of Civilian Defense plans of the most momentous significance.
We know, too, that our people may be called upon to use these plans, not in
some very distant months or years, but tonight, or tomorrow night, or some
night in the very immediate future.

Yesterday we read that unidentified planes had roared low over San
Francisco. Tomorrow the people of America may read the same news about
Baltimore or Annapolis, or Cumberland or Salisbury, or some other vital sec-
tion of our State or this immediate vicinity.

Threatened as we are, therefore, with sudden attack, and realizing as we
do the devastating results in loss of life, bodily injury, destruction! of property
fires, dangers to health, that might well accompany such attacks, it is incum-
bent upon us to realize to the utmost our responsibilities as heads of Civilian
Defense activities in our own communities, and to leave no stone unturned to
fit ourselves, and those who are to serve under us, to carry on successfully and
intelligently the manifold duties that devolve upon us.

It was a wise decision of the Maryland Council of Defense to bring you all
in here today, rather than to try to make visits to each of the twenty-three coun-
ties. At such a meeting as this it is possible to bring to you the responsible offi-
cials of the most important Civilian. Defense functions, to give you a complete
picture of what will be required of you, and tell you of the aids and facilities
that will be supplied to assist in achieving the perfect defense organization that
must be yours.