of Governor Herbert R. O'Conor 631

distinct racial characteristics, which immediately render them suspects, and
enable the authorities and people generally to keep them under close watch.

On the East Coast, however, there is absolutely no way to tell a potential
saboteur. There are no racial or other characteristics! by which they can be
distinguished. In your own Country, for instance, there is no telling how many
Axis agents are among the thousands employed in the County's vital industrial
plants. Indeed, there is no way to ascertain whether such agents may actually
be found among the military forces of our Country or State, or in. what other
capacity they may now be engaged, where they have free opportunity to strike
telling blows.

What is feared is that sabotage may strike in a tidal wave, possibly in con-
unction with a bombing or other hostile attack, when the attention of our mili-
tary and police forces has been attracted elsewhere. It is, therefore, highly
essential that every loyal American be constantly on the alert for any evidence
of such projected attacks upon industries or other vital public facilities.

It is easy to understand why the authorities feel that their fears of sabo-
tage are well-grounded. With the Burma Road virtually closed, and the Medi-
terrean no longer a safe passage for British convoys; with Australia seriously
threatened, and Russia girding herself against the inevitable Spring Offensive
which Hitler must make, we, with our great industries, are the key point of
supply for the entire United Nations.

With this condition facing us, it can be appreciated why it was deemed
advisable to add to our established military organizations the new Reserve
Militia Units, to be known as Maryland Minute Men. The ready acceptance
with which this latest call for enlistments has been met throughout the State,
indicates that many of our people are alive to the dangers ahead, and are
anxious and ready to do their part to cope with them. From the high type of
men who already have joined, and who are helping to organize the Maryland
Minute Men in their communities, I can assure you that Maryland will be proud
of these units, and will be the more secure for their formation.

With a picture of the multi-phrase warfare in our minds, we need not embel-
lish the truth to say that there is no county in the United States where today's
war efforts have a more definite meaning than right here in Baltimore County.
It is one of the most important war industry centers in the Nation, with well
over 100, 000 persons engaged in just a few industries that I might mention,
notably, the Glenn Martin Plant; Bethlehem Steel, the Eastern Rolling Mills;
the Cotton Duck Mills, at Oella; and right here in Towson, or adjacent, Black
and Decker, Bendix Radio and Julian P. Friez Company. And there are many,
many other, all of them important.

Before the end of this war is reached, the total of fighting planes, of
cargo ships, of ammunition, of clothing, of steel, and other vital war materials
turned out in Baltimore County alone, will be greater than the total capacities
of some of the smaller countries engaged in the war.

Because the County is so tremendously important from a war preparation
standpoint, however, it faces at least one tremendous problem, upon the solu-