WM. PRESTON LANE, JR., GOVERNOR. 1915

Department in 1945, and have completed the organization of
such allotments, in so far as authorized by the Congress and
for which funds have been provided; and

WHEREAS, Federalization of the National Guard, Air or
Army, as recommended by the Secretary of Defense and the
Committee on Civilian Components, would destroy at one blow
the National Guard as it now exists and which has rendered
exceptional and valiant service to the Nation in two World
Wars; and in time of peace would impose fantastic costs
beyond the ability of the Nation to meet, and would seriously
jeopardize our national security and would result in the
centralization of all military power in the Federal Govern-
ment and ultimately in the hands of a few, and thus pave the
way for the establishment of a dictatorship, military or other-
wise, in this country; and

WHEREAS, the States would be left without an internal
security force and w^ould be compelled to organize and main-
tain State troops at great cost to the States, with the result
that there would thus be maintained a Federal Reserve and
State Military Force, creating a great duplication of effort
and expense; while the National Guard, as it is now consti-
tuted and controlled, not only furnishes the necessary internal
security for the States but, in addition, serves as a component
of the Army of the United States and a first line of defense
thereof, as provided by the National Defense Act; and

WHEREAS, The National Guard, both Army and Air, can,
under the present National Defense Act, be efficiently and
competently supervised as to its training and equipment in
time of peace, and in preparation for its prompt use in time
of emergency, without resort to federalization, if there is the
proper disposition within the federal authorities to render
such supervision; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the General Assembly of Maryland, That the
Congress and the President of the United States are hereby
memorialized to retain intact the National Guard, Army and
Air, as it is now organized under the Militia Clauses of the
Federal Constitution, and thus reserve to the States the con-
trols provided by the Constitution in time of peace and insure
that it will be at the disposal of the State in time of peace,
and that there will be unity in the Armed Forces of the nation
at a time when unity is so essential; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of State be and he is hereby
directed to send, under the Great Seal of the State of Mary-