of Governor Herbert R. O'Conor 743

strategic springboards for attack will be necessary when the full tide of
United Nations strength begins to roll, and America and her Allies set out
on the big push that will send the Japanese reeling back to Tokyo.

The world, in times of war, has been accustomed to looking upon the
military and naval uniform as a badge of distinction which any man or
woman might be proud to wear. Today, with ships and mechanical equipment
of every type playing such a vital role in the defense of Democracy, the
overall of the shipyard and other production soldiers have taken on a similar
note of distinction. The man in the shipyards or on any production line who
does his utmost to increase and to better the production of his plant, deserves
all praise and consideration because his task, tedious as it undoubtedly is at
times, and lacking the thrill of military and naval duty, unquestionably must
be difficult at times to maintain at the utmost efficiency.

It is distinctly in order, therefore, as I'm sure that everyone within
the sound of my voice will agree, to salute with honor the men who are
responsible for this meeting tonight, and all the men in Maryland's shipyards,
in the plane factories and in all the other vital industries, for the successful
part they have played in furthering to the limit Maryland's great contribution
to the National war effort and to the preservation of freedom he world over.

If Labor ever has deserved the fullest support and commendation of all
the people of the land, it has done so in the perilous months since Pearl Harbor.
On repeated occasions) I have said publicly that no group in America is more
patriotic than Labor. There never was any doubt that Labor would hold up
its end because America is fighting to maintain the kind of government
that guarantees rights to such organizations. Then, too, America must win this
war, because we must continue the social gains that have been won in an up-hill
struggle. Civilization would be put back centuries if the dictators got control of
the world. Legislation and legal guarantees for the working man would mean
nothing under their systems.

It was natural, therefore, that the great body of American Labor would
make their No. 1 job, the winning of this war. They realized, and they
accepted without question, the responsibilities that were theirs in the matter
of production. They knew that the successful waging of the war on its
many fronts would demand every ounce of efficiency, and like good soldiers,
they rallied to the cause. The result has been one of which Maryland and
the Nation may well be proud.

As we look about us in the world today, despite recent Allied! successes
against the treacherous Japanese, there is little room for comfort in the
situation. With our Country threatened as never before in all its long
history, and with many millions of once-free peoples throughout the. world
now suffering the most bestial type of bondage, every American citizen must
be prepared to accept his duties and responsibilities, and to put every ounce
of his energy into this National war effort.

Entirely appropriate is it, therefore, that meetings like this be held,
to reawaken in our people true appreciation of what America means, and
of their responsibility to give everything they possess, their labor, their money,
their blood, to defend it in this grave emergency.