248 LAWS OF MARYLAND. [CH. 171

and registered voter of Maryland, to be the Chief Engineer
of Maryland, who shall hold office for a term of four (4)
years and until his successor shall be appointed and qualify.
The Governor may remove the Chief Engineer for official
misconduct, incompetency or neglect of duty. Any vacancy
in the office of Chief Engineer shall be filled by the Gov-
ernor for the unexpired portion of the term. The Gov-
ernor, when appointing a Chief Engineer, shall give first
consideration to the qualifications of those who are grad-
uates in engineering of a recognized college or technical
school of collegiate grade. The Chief Engineer shall be a
person of broad experience and high standing in his pro-
fession, and shall have had responsible charge of engi-
neering works over a period of at least ten years. If the
person appointed as Chief Engineer is not a graduate in
engineering of a recognized college or technical school of
collegiate grade, he shall have had not less than eighteen
years' experience in engineering, during ten years of which
he shall have been in responsible charge of important
engineering projects. The Chief Engineer shall devote his
entire time to the duties of his office and shall be paid an
annual salary of at least Eight Thousand Dollars ($8,000)
and such additional amount as may be provided for in the
budget.

8E. The Chief Engineer shall appoint a Deputy Chief
Engineer and such number of additional employees of the
Department of Public Improvements as may be provided
for in the budget. The appointment of all employees, other
than the Deputy Chief Engineer, shall be from the Classi-
fied Service of the State of Maryland, and in accordance
with the rules and practice of the Merit System. The Dep-
uty Chief Engineer shall be appointed and hold office at
the will of the Chief Engineer.

8F. Wherever used in this sub-title, the term "public
improvement" shall include the construction, maintenance
and repair of any and every building, structure or other
public work now owned or hereafter constructed or
acquired by the State of Maryland or any department, offi-
cer, board, commission or agency thereof, or constructed or
acquired in whole or in part with State funds; except that
nothing in this sub-title shall apply to public improvements
made by the State Roads Commission of Maryland, Hous-
ing Authorities created pursuant to Article 44A of the
Code of Public General Laws, Maryland National Capital
Park and Planning Commission, Washington Suburban
Sanitary Commission, Baltimore County Metropolitan Dis-