770 State Papers and Addresses

ordained that they can settle down to the enjoyment of the fruits of Victory—
to the achivements of their aims in life, free from the aftermaths of war that
plagued humanity as a result of World War No. 1.

To accomplish this desirable end, reasoned thought must be given now to
plans for that post-Victory period, to insure that the millions here in America
and in the United Nations do not lose the Peace, after they have sacrificed so
much to win the War.

Many considerations must enter into such planning. Nationally, and
internationally, the United Nations must see to it that the threat of military
despotism, once broken, must not be permitted to raise its head again, in
Germany or anywhere.

Internal chaos and strife must be averted in the beaten Axis nations, by
international policing; and the economy of these peoples must be managed until
stability of Government is restored, lest starvation and despair there spread
their cankers or unrest throughout the world. International trade must be
world-managed, in the interest of all nations, for we have learned only too well
that the world cannot go forward in peace 'and hope while any of its parts are
desperately ill.

If ever there was an undertaking that called for local handling, by States
and cities, to support and round out international and National efforts, this
program of post-Victory planning does. Fortunately, Maryland is well pre-
pared. Our house is in order, financially and in other ways. If and when
cessation of war industry production threatens dislocation of Maryland's
economy, and the spectre of unemployment once again hangs over our people,
there are media at hand with which this threat can be met effectively.

Comparably, we believe, no State in the Union will be better prepared to
undertake, immediately after the war if necessary, a major program of capital
construction for the State's institutions, as well as a further extension of a
great road-building program. Such programs have already been formulated,
under the six-year Capital Improvement Plan inaugurated by our State two
years ago, under the direction of the State Planning Commission and the De-
partment of Budget and Procurement, in which regard Maryland was the first
State to initiate such long-range planning.

Of the utmost importance, too, if there should ever result a drastic curtail-
ment of employment, is the trust fund to Maryland's credit of $47, 500, 000 at
the Unemployment Compensation Board. This huge amount, built up over the
years, and reserved for the benefit of Maryland's workers in every field, will
go far, indeed, to alleviate the demands of any period of recession.

I mention these items because I feel that business and professional men in
the times ahead will be called upon to play a much more active part in the
functioning of government than before. Officials can plan and direct but the
controlling power of public opinion will be the final Judge of what must be done.