Employment Security Board.

The Department of Employment Security, formerly known as the
Unemployment Compensation Board, was established in 1937. The
Administration of the Department is vested in a Board of three mem-
bers apointed for terms of six years (Code 1947 Supp. Art. 95A,
sec. 10). The Board is authorized to enact such general and special
rules as are necessary for the formulation of the general policy of the
Department in administering the Unemployment Compensation Law.
The Board also hears and determines appeals from the decisions of
the Referees and Special Examiners arising from disputed claims for
unemployment compensation..

The Advisory Council.

The Unemployment Compensation Law permits the Board to estab-
lish an Advisory Council consisting of an equal number of representa-
tives from the public, the employer and the employee. The Advisory
Council meets with the Board for the purpose of aiding it to formu-
late policies and for discussing problems related to the administration
of the Law to insure impartiality in the solution of such problems
(Code 1947 Supp. Art. 95A, sec. 11e)..

Unemployment Compensation Division.

This Division of the Department in accordance with the policy set
by the Board administers the payment of Unemployment Compensa-
tion benefits and the collection of the contributions therefor. Contribu-
tions are collected from employers covered under the Unemployment
Compensation Law and weekly benefits are made to eligible individu-
als, that is, those who have accumulated certain wage credits and have
become unemployed through no fault of their own. The law provides
for a system of experience rating whereby employers who maintain
steady employment are eligible for reductions in the rate of contribu-
tions. All funds collected under the Law are deposited with the
Federal Treasury for the credit of the Unemployment Trust Fund of
Maryland and may only be used for the payment of benefits..

Employment Service Division.

The Employment Service Division operates a free employment
service, registering those in all occupational groups for re-employ-
ment and serving to make a contact between employer and prospective
employee. The Employment. Service provides vocational guidance and
counseling and administers aptitude and proficiency tests to those who
desire them. The division also operates a staff devoted to labor market
reporting, securing data regarding the size of the labor market, the
types of positions open, the size and type of the labor supply available,
current wage rates and other related material. The data collected
is tabulated and presented in charts and studies relating to special
areas or special subjects. The Division conducts a drive for the
placement of the physically handicapped each October. It gives spe-
cial Assistance to the State Employment Commissioner's office to
secure personnel for State Hospitals. The Employment Division has
assumed control of the Farm Labor Program which has as its object
the recruitment and distribution of labor for agricultural purposes..

Branch Offices.

The Department operates seventeen field offices throughout the
State for the convenience of the public in filing claims for unemploy-.