Evening star., 1942-03-15
|0'Conor.C Calls
For Aggressive
Home Defense
Governor Speaks
At Civilian Rally
In HyuttsviiIe

BTcSSlVe oe1enSe at nome against
the enemy in order to achieve VIC
tory, Gov. O'Conor Of Maryland last
night told approximately 1,50C
Prince Georges County civilian de-
fense workers at the Hyattsville
Armory.
Preceding his address, Gov
O'Conor was presented with the
9Th State Guard Battalion colors
Others who spoke included Repre-
sentative Sasscer, Democrat, of
Maryland. and District Commits
sioner John Russell Young, civilian
defense co-ordinator for the WASH
ington Metropolitan Area.
Gov. O'Conor asserted aggressive
defense" is the direct opposite OF
passive resistance, the very anti
thesis Of the sit-and-wait, the grim
and-bear-it policy. The spirit OF
aggressive defenSes is in the worker
who puts that extra ounce of effort
and diligence into his Job and the
citizen who says-'This Is my fight,
too"
"Pincer Movement On"
Gov. O'Conor emphasized Wash
ington and Prince Georges County
are IN danger because WASHINGTON
In truth may be termed the capital
OF all nations. banded together to
destroy the curse of Axis slavery. It
mas always been the policy of in
Vading forces to attempt to strike
quickly and devastatingly at the
capital of an invaded country"
Gov. OConor declared. The pin
Ger movement is on. We can feel
the clutching fingers as they try to
apply the stranglehold to our ma
tional existence.
Our great Allied leaders-Presi-
dent Roosevelt and Mr.. Churchill
nave not painted the picture too
black. BY every law of possibility
the year 1912 seems destined to be
the time of our testing here in the
United States.
We Americans do not ask to
nave our bitter pills sugar coated
with false information. What's
more, able to think for ourselves
we are not foolish enough to fall
for propaganda. whether that of
misguided friends or of willy foes" "
Counteroffensive.
Ability of Americans to maintain
a counteroffensive against propa-
ganda and defeatism is important, "
Gov. O'Conor said, pointing out that
Axis-inspired rumors have back
fired on the enemy"
Prince Georges residents, living
close to the National Capital, he
said. are bound to hear some "over-
spilling Of confidential talk. 1t will
not hurt you to hear it. but it may
hurt us all If you pass it along"
Speaking about rationing, he said
If we think we have suffered
deprivations to date because of
the rationing Of tires, automobiles.
sugar and what not, and because
so many smaller businesses have had
to 60 out of existence from lack of
materials, let me tell you, we have
not seen anything.
Question Of Morale.
Upon the attitude in which these
restrictions are accepted will depend
the national morale. This national
state OF mind may be the determi-
ming factor between worldwide pre-
servation and restoration OF the
ideals of human dignity and indi-
vidual rights and complete enslave-
ment of the human race.
I'VE are devoted to the ideals of
peace. We are people to whom
the luxuries of life have become
almost necessities, but back of all
that love of ease and luxury there
is the unshakeable American deter
mination. Nothing will ever be per-
mitted to interfere with our enjoy
ment of those free rights won for
us during the dark days Of the
American Revolution"
Mr.. Sasscer called for intensified
ton Of our war effort.
w. Frank Roberts, chairman of
the Maryland Defense Council, pre-
dicted America would win the war
but that its length depended on how
quickly our people threw themselves
into an all-out effort.
Halls Civilian Defense.
1t. Col. Henry S. Barrett, Mary
land director Of Air Raid Precaution
Services, declared no State in the
Union is better organized for civilian
defense than Maryland. He lauded
the work Of j. Robert Sherwood
Prince Georges County civilian de-
fense director, and E. F. Zalesak
the county's chief air raid warden.
Cooperation of Montgomery
County with Prince Georges in
civilian work was pledged by Albert
E. Brault, director Of the Montgom-
cry Defense Council.
The colors we're presented by
members of the Maryland State
Guard. commanded by Maj. Caesar
L. Aiello. Frank E. Taylor, county
Boy Scout commissioner, led the
Pledge OF Allegiance, and Mrs. Ed
ward P. Carter directed singing OF
patriotic songs. Music was supplied
by the Elks Boys Band of Washing
ton, led by James L. Kidwell.
Invocation was given by the Rev
]. Jaquelin Amber, rector OF Pink
ney Memorial Episcopal Church OF
Hyattsville, and the benediction by
the Rev. Leo J. Fealy, pastor OF
HOLY Redeemer Catholic Church Of
Berwyn.
Mr.. Sherwood presided at the
rally which was attended by more
than $500.
Al IL