The Commission has the authority and the power to study and
investigate the problems of alcoholism including present statutes,
practices, and procedures for the committal of alcoholics, as well as
the present methods and facilities for the treatment of acute and
chronic alcoholics (Code 1957, 1960 Supp., Art. 2C).

Appropriations 1961 1962

General Funds.............................................. $25,000 $25,000
Staff: 3.

Public Welfare

STATE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WELFARE

Board of Public Welfare
Chairman: Alvin Thalheimer, 1963

Sam Eig, 1963; Sanford V. Larkey, M.D„ 1963; Calhoun Bond,
1966; Herbert R. O'Conor, Jr., 1965; Mrs. John L. Sanford,
1965; Mrs. Ralph O. Dulany, 1967; Howard H. Murphy, 1967;
Julius O. Shuger, 1967.

Thomas J. S. Waxter, Director
Elizabeth G. Smith, Assistant Director

301 W. Preston Street, Baltimore I Telephone: 837-9000

The General Assembly created the State Department of Public
Welfare by Chapter 99, Acts of 1939 to supersede the Board of State
Aid and Charities established by Chapter 679, Acts of 190O. The De-
partment is the central, coordinating, and directing agency of all wel-
fare activities in the State, including aid to dependent children, old
age assistance, public assistance to the needy blind, aid to the perma-
nently and totally disabled, child welfare services, and any other wel-
fare activities financed in whole or in part by the State or Federal
government. The Governor designates the Chairman of the Board and
appoints its nine members for six-year terms so arranged that three
terms expire on June 1st of every second year (Code 1967, Art. 88A,
sees. 2,3).

In each county there is a County Welfare Board, constituting an
administrative department of the local government, which adminis-
ters under the supervision and control of the State Department
the welfare activities within each county, including the care of neg-
lected, dependent, and delinquent children. Each 'County Board con-
sists of six person appointed for six-year terms by the Board of
County Commissioners and one County Commissioner chosen yearly
by the Board of County Commissioners (Code 1957, Art. 88A, sees.
13,14).

The Department investigates the public and private institutions, or-
ganizations, and agencies of a charitable nature in the State of Mary-
land, including those which receive part of their income from the
State, but excepting those placed by law under the supervision of
another State agency. Each year before the General Assembly con-
venes, the Director reports to the Governor on activities of the
Department and the conditions of all charitable institutions, organi-
zations, and agencies (excepting hospitals) that receive financial
aid from the State, and recommends appropriations (Code 1957,
Art. 88A, sec. 3). All monies appropriated to institutions, organi-
zations, and agencies, excepting hospitals, are paid on a per capita
basis at the rates and subject to regulations established by the
State Board of Public Welfare (Code 1957, Art. 88A, sec. 10).