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 benefits, and
hears cases arising from contributions and rates.

Advisory Council

The Governor shall appoint a State Advisory Council consisting
of an equal number of representatives from the public, the employer
and the employee for respective terms of from one year to a number
of years equal to the number of persons so to be appointed. Such
council shall aid the Board in formulating policies and discussing
problems related to the administration of the law to insure impar-
tiality in the solution of such problems (Acts 1953, ch. 764, sec. lie).

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. Contri-
butions are collected from employers covered under the Unemploy-
ment Compensation Law and weekly benefits are made to eligible
individuals, 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
contributions. 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 (Code
1951 Art. 95A, sec. 13).

Employment Service Division

The Employment Service Division operates a free public employ-
ment service, registering applicants for jobs in all occupational
groups and makes the initial contacts between employers and pro-
spective employees. The division provides vocational guidance and
counseling services and administers aptitude and proficiency tests
when the desirability of such tests is indicated. The division cooper-
ates with other staff departments in developing labor market informa-
tion, types of positions open, size and type of available labor supply,
current wage rates and other related material. The Division cooper-
ates with the Governor's Committee for the Promotion of the
Physically Handicapped; the State Veterans Service Committee, and
gives preference to qualified veterans for job openings. The Employ-
ment Service Division also maintains a special Farm Labor Program
for the purpose of recruiting and distributing local and migratory
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-
ment compensation or for registering for employment. These offices
are located in the following cities:
Annapolis: 8 Northwest Street
Baltimore City:
37-39..41 Hopkins Place
6 N. Liberty Street