ART. 45A] IMMIGRATION COMMISSIONERS. 1179

immigration commissioners may also call upon the county commissioners
of the several counties to assist them in the collection of the necessary
statistics and information, and in the verification of the same; and the
said board of commissioners shall procure, at the expense of the State,
such maps and other drawings as may be necessary to properly illustrate
the geographical, topographical, physical, agricultural and other condi-
tions of the State appertaining to the functions of this bureau.

1904, art. 45 A. sec. 7. 1896, ch. 295, sec. 8. 1898, ch. 282.

7. If it shall appear necessary or desirable in order to promote the
objects of the bureau, the state superintendent may personally or
through a special agent visit Canada or any of the States of the Union,
for the purpose of inducing or attracting to this State such immigration
as he shall deem desirable, and may also employ such other means of
advertisement to that end as may commend themselves to his judgment,
keeping himself for this and all other purposes, except salaries, within
the appropriation for the expenses of this bureau.

Ibid. sec. 8. 1896, ch. 295, sec. 9.

8. The board of immigration commissioners shall have power to
make contracts with railroads, steamship lines, transportation companies
and masters of vessels, securing a low rate of transportation to immi-
grants, and to make the necessary arrangements for their reception and
temporary accommodation upon their arrival at Baltimore or other
points in the State, until they can be distributed and located in the
different counties of the State.

Ibid. sec. 9. 1896, ch. 295, sec. 10. 1908, ch. 382.

9. The board of immigration commissioners shall meet monthly at
their office in Baltimore city, and such other times as they may deter-
mine for the purpose of promoting the work for which this bureau is
organized; and they shall make an annual report to the governor, to be
by him laid before the general assembly at each regular session; said
report shall contain an itemized statement of all money received by the
board, and to whom and for what purpose paid (the vouchers for which
expenditures shall be filed in the office of the bureau), the result
attained or expected to be attained, the statistics of immigration and
other kindred information, together with such suggestions as the board
may think proper to make.

Ibid. sec. 10. 1896, ch. 295, sec. 12.

10. The first term of office of the board of immigration commis-
sioners hereby appointed shall commence on the first day of May in the
year 1896.

Ibid. sec. 11. 189S, ch. 282, sec. 13.

11. After the first day of January, 1900, the superintendent of
immigration shall proceed to collect statistics and information concern-
ing the various branches of industry in this State and the needs thereof.