of Governor Herbert R. O'Conor 759

SCRAP COLLECTION MEETING WITH NEWSPAPER EDITORS AND
COUNTY CHAIRMEN STATE HOUSE,

Annapolis
October 13, 1942

It is a very happy privilege to have the opportunity of meeting, for a second
time with the newspaper editors of the State. Some months ago you responded
nobly to an appeal to confer with me on the then very important matter of
acquainting the public with the State's Civilian Defense Program. Today, in
coming again to Annapolis is to confer with the County Scrap Campaign
Directors, and with the heads of the Salvage Collection Campaign throughout
the State, you have once more given evidence of the willingness with which you
have accepted the tremendously important duties laid upon you in connection
with the war effort.

In a free Country, where every man is entitled to thinking his own thoughts,
the public press has ever been the most important single factor in molding public
opinion. When that press reflects the united American, mind and its determina-
tion to see this war job through to a successful conclusion, it is performing a
public service, the value of which, in this present crisis, and to the future of
free people everywhere, cannot be evaluated properly.

The newspaper men of Maryland and of the entire Country, publishers and
editors alike, were quick to grasp the necessity—the very vitial necessity - - of
getting to our steel mills the many thousands, even millions of tons of scrap
metals that, throughout the years, had accumulated throughout the Country.
By accepting full responsibility for the promotion of the Scrap Collection Cam-
paign, the newspapers have enlisted in the war for freedom even more effectively
if possible than if every member of their staffs had joined the armed forces.

You have heard the expression "Oil is ammunition, Use it wisely". With-
out any exaggeration, it can be said that "Steel is Victory" and by helping to
insure adequate supplies of the scrap that is so essential to America's steel pro-
duction, you have advanced the cause of freedom immeasurably on the long and
difficult road to victory.

In greeting you here today, therefore, on behalf of the people of the entire
State, I wish to congratulate and thank you for the efforts that have been, so
splendidly imitated in all the counties of the State. The newspapers are en-
titled to the thanks of our people for their wholehearted and successful leader-
ship in the Salvage Campaign, which is so essential to the futherance of the
war effort.

One thing that impresses itself with increasing force, as we progress in
our WAR; EFFORT,, is the necessity for imparting to all of our people, in every
section of the State, the reason why, and the full information regarding, what
is needed to WIN THE WAR.