CONTROL OF STATE ARMORIES.

By Act of the General Assembly of 1922 (Art. 65, P. G. L.. Md.)
the State Armory Commission was abolished and the direct control of
all State Armories placed with the ranking line officer of the State, to
whom all applications should be made for the use of any armory,.
provided, however, that when applications are disapproved by the
Adjutant General they shall be subject to review and approval of the
Board of Public Works, the Adjutant General and the commanding
officer of the unit occupying the armory concerned.

MILITIA LAW OF MARYLAND

Tile National Defense Act required all States to make their military
laws conform with the provisions of the Act, in BO far as any State
law might nave been in conflict or might have been deficient as to cer-
tain mandatory features of the Act, to entitle any State to participate
in the Federal appropriations for arming, equipping and training the
National Guard.

Accordingly, Article 65, P. G. L.. Md., was repealed and re-enacted
by the Legislature at its January (1922) session in which certain
provisions of the National Defense Act have been incorporated as the
law of the State, thereby conforming to the Act.

It was also found desirable to provide for the functioning of the
ranking line officer of the National Guard on active duty pay statue
and to place this officer in control of the military department of the
State. The authority, prerogatives and duties heretofore held and per-
formed by the Adjutant General have, by the present law, been trans-
ferred to the ranking line officer who is responsible only to the Governor,
acting for and by his direction in all matters pertaining to the Military
Department of the State.

BUILDING OF NEW ARMORIES

The Legislature of 1924 authorized the building of armories in the
following cities and towns of the State; Cumberland, Hagerstown, Centerville.
Silver Spring, Crisfield, Easton and Kensington, and as money
becomes available the armories will be built, it is expected that arm-
ories for Cumberland, Hagerstown and Centerville will he completed
during the year 1925.

SOLDIERS' RELIEF FUND COMMISSION

Chapter 344 of the Acts of the General Assembly of Maryland, Ses-
sion of 1924, creates a Soldiers' Relief Fund Commission, with the
Adjutant General of the State as Chairman, and two members to be
appointed by the Governor. The Governor has appointed as members
of this Commission:

Colonel James E, Abbott, Annapolis, representing the American

Legion.

Capt. Richard C. O'Connell, 104th Medical Regiment, Baltimore,
three years.

Approximately $25,000 per year has been made available by tile