STATE AID AND CHARITIES. 1129

suiting from active participation in fighting a fire or while going to and
from a fire, after having graduated from an accredited high school, shall
have the right and privilege of attending schools of higher education at the
expense of the Maryland State Firemen's Association, which shall be at
the discretion of the Board of Trustees of the said Maryland State Fire-
men's Association.

1935, ch. 260, sec. 20A.

20A. No part of the aforesaid appropriations shall be used by the
Maryland State Firemen's Association for administrative costs.

Mothers' Relief.

1929, ch. 401, sec. 21. 1931, ch. 115, sec. 21.

21. Any mother of a child or children under the age of fourteen (14)
years, whose husband is dead or permanently incapacitated, and who is
unable to support it or them and maintain her home, may present a written
application or petition for relief to the County Commissioners of the
county wherein she resides, or to the Department of Welfare¹ of Baltimore
City. Such application or petition shall be verified in such manner and
shall contain such information as the said County Commissioners or
Department of Welfare of Baltimore City may prescribe.

The child or children for whose benefit the relief is granted must be
living with the mother of such child or children. The relief shall be
granted only when, in the absence of such relief, the mother would be re-
quired to work regularly away from her home and children, and when, by
means of such relief she will be able to remain at home with her children,
except, that she may be absent for work a definite number of days each
week, to be specified in the order giving relief, when such work can be done
by her without the sacrifice of health or the neglect of home and children.
A mother shall not receive such relief who has not resided in the county
where the application is made, or in the City of Baltimore, at least three
years before making such application. Whenever any child shall arrive
at the age of fourteen (14) years, the relief granted to the mother for such
child shall cease; provided, that if a child of fourteen (14) years of age
be ill or is incapacitated for work or is regularly attending school, the
mother shall receive the funds for its care, during such illness or incapacity
for work or during attendance at school, until such child is sixteen years of
age. It shall be the duty of the Department of Welfare of Baltimore
City and the County Commissioners of the respective counties to investi-
gate every application for relief made in Baltimore City or in any of
the counties, respectively, to hear all witnesses for applicants and to carry
out the provisions of this sub-title.

The acts relating to "mothers' relief" do not violate provisions of art. 11A of

Md. Constitution, relating to grant of home rule powers to Baltimore City.

Court may issue writ of mandamus directing proper city officials to provide

funds as required by this section and section 22 in an amount less than asked

for. Baltimore v. Fuget, 164 Md. 335.
As to old age pensions, see art. 70A.

¹ Formerly Supervisors of City Charities.