4618 ARTICLE 21.

shall begin on the first day of the month succeeding his appointment, and
shall continue for the period of three years; but if a vacancy shall occur
at any time by reason of death, resignation, removal from office or other-
wise ; the vacancy shall be filled by the said Commissioners of Oxford by
the appointment of a suitable person to serve for the remainder of the
term of the member by whose death, resignation or removal from office
the vacancy occurred.

The said Utilities Commission so appointed shall have full charge of
the operation, management and maintenance of the said plant, including
the power to make contracts in the name of the Commissioners of Oxford,
to sue in the name of the Commissioners of Oxford for the collection of
any and all indebtedness which may be due said Utilities Commission or
for the performance of contracts made with said Commission to purchase
material, employ all such assistants (skilled or unskilled) and labor as
may be necessary for the proper performance of the duties of said Com-
mission and to fix their compensation; to make such rules and regulations
for the management of said electrical plant and for their own government
as they may deem proper; to make extensions, additions or improvements
to said plant, provided the approval of the Commissioners of Oxford shall
first be secured, and where the total cost of such addition, extension or
improvement shall exceed two hundred ($200) dollars, the Commission
shall secure competitive bids for the purchase of all material for the use
of the said plant, including fuel; and the contract shall be awarded to
the lowest and best bidder, and provided further that no material shall
be furnished by any member of said Commission, directly or indirectly,
or by any firm or corporation with which any member of said Commis-
sion may be connected, unless otherwise authorized by the Commissioners
of Oxford. The said Utilities Commission shall fix and revise rates with
the approval of the Commissioners of Oxford and adopted by their formal
resolution. Provided, however, that nothing in this Act contained is
intended or shall be taken or construed as relieving the Commissioners
of Oxford or the said Utilities Commission, from any and all provisions
of Chapter 180 of the Acts of the General Assembly of Maryland of 1910,
known as the Public Service Commission Law, or any amendments thereto.

The said Commission shall within ten days after being appointed or-
ganize by electing one of their members President, and also by electing
a Secretary and Treasurer, either or both of the last named may or may
not be members of the Commission, and the same person may hold both
offices, and shall serve for one year or until the appointment and qualifica-
tion of his or their successor, and the said Commission may, if they see
fit, appoint a Manager. No bills or expenses incurred in the manage-
ment and operation of said plant shall be paid except by check signed by
the President and countersigned by the Treasurer after said bills (except
authorized weekly pay rolls and minor expenses) shall have been approved
and ordered paid by the Commission. The Treasurer shall have charge
of all revenues arising from the plant, but such revenues shall be deposited
in some bank to be selected by said Commission, in the name of and to