As the closing speech for the March joint conference of the American Institute of Planners and the American Society of Planning Officials, this article cautioned that there is reason for encouragement as well as doubt. Unprecedented energies are pushing for national economic planning, though serious obstacles threaten implementation of that idea. Against a pervasive mood of antagonism towards the leaders of all institutions, a short supply of precise forecasting devices, and a national character intolerant of the time required to test ideas, national economic planning faces long odds. Still, a unique opportunity exists here to plan nationally; and it will probably be realized and realized under the aegis of those with moderate views. The challenge for the urban planner is to make sure that national economic planning gets linked appropriately with local planning.