of Governor Herbert R. O'Conor 613

Some day, in the not far distant future, the splendid airport for which
ground was broken here today may well play a vital part in this coastline de-
fense system. From it planes may be dispatched to intercept hostile forces
many miles at sea. The fact that this new airport will be given rating among
the Number One airports of the Country is a tribute to the County and City
officials who furthered the movement, and also to the judgment of the Federal
officials whose cooperation and assistance made the project possible. It will
add another link to the chain of defense efforts that have lifted Maryland to a
place of extraordinary prominence in the war-time activities of our Country.

As we progress deeper into war, with its ever radiating sphere of new
activities, it is gratifying to state that on the pressing problems that now con-
front us we have not been caught napping. In the matter of possible sabotage,
for instance, it it interesting to note that other states now are attempting to
pass the Anti-sabotage Act passed at the 1941 session of the Maryland Legis-
lature. It should be a comfort to the people to know that drastic penalties are
provided by law now in Maryland in the event of any attempted sabotage. On
the economic front, too, in view of the unemployment resulting during the
period of change-over to war production in many industries, other states are
now urging extension of the payment period of Unemployment Compensation
from 13 to 16 weeks. Maryland has gone further than that, I am very pleased*
to say, in the legislation adopted at the Legislative session one year ago.

Many problems face us. Each one presents new complications, each one
demands thought and application and courage in: its solution. How well we
meet them will determine, to a great extent, the sucess of our efforts in waging
this war.

The first of war's inconveniences already is with us. Tire rationing has
had repercussions everywhere, and its effects are only beginning to be felt.
Nevertheless, it has impressed our people, as few other developments could, that
we are in war, and that it is a war that cannot be pursued without dislocation
of our everyday life and economy. As other articles are rationed and we find
ourselves deprived of more and more of those things we have to look upon as
necessities, the seriousness of our National situation will become more and more
evident.

Unemployment, temporary perhaps, but nevertheless disturbing, has re-
sulted from the efforts to transfer the mighty American peace-time industries
to war footing. It was inevitable that such a change-over would bring tempo-
rary unemployment on a wide scale. Where civilian industries now employ
44, 000, 000 workers against 5, 000, 000 in the war industries, we must transfer
13, 000, 000 men and women from civilian to war production in the coming year,
and an additional 7, 000, 000 two years from now. In other words, where 5, 000, -
000 workers are now turning out guns and planes an tanks and other war
materials, we shall need 25, 000, 000—five times the present number—before we
can hope to realize the full war production figures which our Commander-in-
chief, President Roosevelt, has decreed.