768 ARTICLE 23.

that every railroad company changing its motive power, in whole or in
part, from steam to electricity, or other motive power, shall continue to
be subject to all the provisions of the laws of this State relating to the
taxation of railroad companies whose roads are worked by steam power, to
all intents as if no such change of motive power had been made, and that
every railroad company changing its motive power, in whole or in part,
from electricity or other motive power other than steam, to steam, shall
become subject to all the provisions of the laws of this State relating to the
taxation of railroad companies whose roads are worked by steam power,
and provided, however, that the provisions of this section-shall not author-
ize any railroad company to operate its cars or trains by steam or other
power along the streets of any city or town, or along any public road, with-
out the3 consent of the proper municipal or county authorities.

An. Code, sec. 323. 1906, ch. 454.

260. It shall be unlawful for any person, corporation or association
operating a railroad within this State to permit any telegraph or telephone
operator who spaces trains, by the use of the telegraph or telephone, under
what is known and termed " block system " (defined as follows) : Reporting
trains to another office or offices, and to the train despatcher registering the
same and operating one or more train order signals, and telegraph or tele-
phone lever-men who manipulate interlocking machines in railroad yards
or on main tracks out on the lines connecting side tracks or switches or
train despatchers in its services; whose duties substantially as hereinbefore
set forth pertain to the movement of cars, engines or trains on its railroad
by the use of the telegraph or telephone in despatching or reporting trains
or receiving or transmitting train orders as interpreted in this section, to be
on duty for more than eight hours in any twenty-four consecutive hours.
Any person, corporation or association that shall violate section 260, shall
pay a fine of one hundred dollars for each violation thereof.

As to the hours of work in factories, the employment of children, etc., see art. 100.

An. Code, sec. 324. 1906, ch. 454.

261. The fine mentioned in the preceding section shall be recovered
by an action of debt in the name of the State of Maryland for the use
of the State, who shall sue for it against such person, corporation or asso-
ciation violating said section, said suit to be instituted in any court in this
State having appropriate jurisdiction.

An. Code, sec. 325. 1906, ch. 454.

262. The said fine when recovered as aforesaid shall be paid without
any deduction whatever, one-half thereof to the informer, and the balance
thereof to be paid into the public school fund of the State of Maryland;
provided, that the provisions of sections 260 to 262 shall not apply to any
part of a railroad where not more than eight regular passenger trains in
twenty-four hours pass each way; provided, moreover, that where twenty
freight trains pass each way generally in each twenty-four hours then the