CORPORATIONS. 285

investigate the expediency of granting such permit, the number of taxi-
cabs to be used, and the rate to be charged, and, if, in the judgment of the
Commission, it is deemed best for the public welfare and convenience
that said permit should be granted said Public Service Commission is
hereby empowered and authorized to grant such permit, subject to such
conditions and terms, aid for such duration of time, not exceeding the
period of one year, as it may deem advisable. But if said Public Service
Commission deems the granting of such permit prejudicial to the welfare
and convenience of the public, then the said Public Service Commission
is hereby empowered and authorized to refuse the granting of the same.
The said Public Service Commission of Maryland is further empowered
and authorized to make such rules and regulations as it may deem neces-
sary to govern the control and operation of taxicabs, and enforce the same
by such penalties or forfeitures as it may reasonably prescribe, including
the suspension or revocation for reasonable cause, or causes, after investi-
gation and hearing, of the permit granted under the provisions of this
sub-title; any person, association or corporation of interest who shall be
dissatisfied at the action of the Public Service Commission for refusing
to grant a permit or for any ruling, order or regulation hereunder, shall
have the right of an appeal as provided in Section 404 of this Article and
to the Court of Appeals. Every person owning or operating any such
taxicab in violation of any of the provisions of this sub-title, or, in viola-
tion of the rules and regulations aforesaid of the Public Service Com-
mission, shall, cumulatively but not in substitution for any other process
or method of remedial procedure or legal redress prescribed, by this sub-
title or otherwise, be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon convic-
tion, be subject to a fine of not less than five dollars ($5) nor more than
fifty dollars ($50) for the first offense, and a fine of not less than ten
dollars ($10), nor more than one hundred dollars ($100), for each ad-
ditional or subsequent offense. No permit shall be assigned or trans-
ferred until the Commission, upon written application setting forth the
purpose, terms and conditions of such assignment or transfer, shall, after
investigation, approve the same. The Commission may amend, or, for
sufficient cause shown, suspend or revoke any such permit. Each permit
shall be evidence of authority to operate only the particular taxicab therein
designated, and shall continue in force and effect, unless suspended or
revoked, for the calendar year for which it is issued. Upon application,
at the termination of each calendar year, the Commission may renew any
permit, or issue a new permit for the ensuing year.

1931, ch. 485, sec. 361B.

361B. The owner of every taxicab for which a permit is required
under the provisions of this sub-title, shall, before operating or continuing
to operate the same on public streets or highways in this State, either
(1) take out a liability insurance policy, or policies, in some responsible
insurance company authorized to transact business in this State, insuring
such owner against liability for personal injury or injuries, to a passenger