1238 LAWS OF MARYLAND. [CH. 517

years, respectively, from the date of their appointment, but
thereafter commissioners shall be appointed as aforesaid for
a term of office of five years except that all vacancies shall be
filled for the unexpired term. No commissioner of an author-
ity may be an officer or employee of the city for which the
authority is created. A commissioner shall hold office until
Ms successor has been appointed and has qualified. A certifi-
cate of the appointment or re-appointment of any commis-
sioner shall be filed with the Clerk and such certificate shall
be conclusive evidence of the due and proper appointment of
such commissioner. A commissioner shall receive no compen-
sation for his services, but he shall be entitled to the neces-
sary expenses, including traveling expenses, incurred in the
discharge of his duties.

The powers of each authority shall be vested in the commis-
sioners thereof in office from time to time. Three commis-
sioners shall constitute a quorum of the authority for the
purpose of conducting its business and exercising its powers
and for all other purposes. Action may be taken by the au-
thority upon a vote of a majority of the commissioners present,
unless in any case the by-laws of the authority shall require
a larger number. The Mayor shall designate which of the
commissioners appointed shall be the first chairman, but when
the office of the chairman of the authority thereafter becomes
vacant, the authority shall select a chairman from among its
commissioners. An authority shall select from among its
commissioners a vice-chairman, and it may employ a secretary
(who shall be executive director), technical experts and such
other officers, agents and employees, permanent and tempo-
rary, and shall determine their qualifications, duties and
compensation. For such legal services as it may require, an
authority may call upon the chief law officer of the city or
may employ its own counsel and legal staff. An authority may
delegate to one or more of its agents or employees such powers
or duties as it may deem proper.

6. No commissioner or employee of an authority shall ac-
quire any interest direct or indirect in any housing project or
in any property included or planned to be included in any
project, nor shall he have any interest direct or indirect in
any contract or proposed contract for materials or services to
be furnished or used in connection with any housing project.
If any commissioner or employee of an authority owns or
controls an interest direct or indirect in any property included
or planned to be included in any housing project, he imme-
diately shall disclose the same in writing to the authority and
such disclosure shall be entered upon the minutes of the