at the pleasure of the Governor, and to have a commissioned grade
not above that of Brigadier General.

The Governor selects, in his discretion, either the Adjutant General
or the Assistant Adjutant General to serve as Chief of Staff of the
Governor's Military Staff. Either the Adjutant General or the As-
sistant Adjutant General may also be appointed by the Governor as
Chairman of the Maryland Veteran's Commission.

Article 65, Code of Public General Laws of Maryland, provides
that the Ranking Line Officer shall be in control of the military de-
partment of the State, and subordinate only to the Governor in mat-
ters pertaining to that department. He performs such duties as per-
tain to his office, and the other chiefs of staff departments and corps
under the regulations and customs of the United States Army. He
superintends the preparation and publication of all official forms re-
quired for use in the military service of the State; the reports and re-
turns required by the United States; keeps a register of all commis-
sioned officers and the record of enlisted men. He is likewise the cus-
todian of all State and Federal property in use by the organized
militia; he is also in control of State appropriations for the mainte-
nance of the organized militia (land and naval); apportions such ap-
propriations and provides for the proper application of funds so as to
insure a uniform and consistent disbursement for the progressive bene-
fit of the military establishment of the State.

He also promulgates to the organized militia the orders of the Gov-
ernor as Commander-in-Chief and provides from time to time appro-
priate regulations for the government, discipline and maintenance of
the military establishment; he also publishes and provides for observ-
ance of all federal laws and regulations applicable to the militia of the
State.

He is the official channel for communication with the War and
Navy Departments on all matters and affairs relating to the federal
government's interest in the militia of the State.

He is charged with the care, control and maintenance of all arm-
ories owned by the State of Maryland, and all buildings or other prop-
erty purchased, occupied, leased or rented by or in behalf of the State
military forces, which may now or shall hereafter be authorized by
law and has all the power and authority necessary or desirable for the
purpose aforesaid and with the right to make and enforce all reason-
able rules and regulations.

The Governor, in his discretion, may by executive order transfer
any or all of the strictly administrative duties of the ranking line
officer to the Adjutant General or Assistant Adjutant General, pro-
vided that any such transfer shall not affect the control of the rank-
ing line officer over the tactical command and training of the units
and organizations of the National Guard or his general control of
the Military Department, in all of which the ranking line officer
functions under the direct orders of the Governor.

The Assistant Adjutant General may be paid a salary fixed by the
Governor out of the appropriation in the budget for the administra-
tion of the Maryland Veterans' Commission.

In matters pertaining to the military establishment of the State or
the military relations of the State with the United States, communi-
cations should be addressed to the Commanding General, Maryland
National Guard, Annapolis.