HARRY W. NICE, GOVERNOR. 295

SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Mary-
land, That Section 724A of Article 22 of the Code of Public
Local Laws of Maryland (1930 Edition), title "Washington
County", sub-title "Schools—Teachers' Salaries", as said sec-
tion was enacted by Chapter 304 of the Acts of 1935, be and
it is hereby repealed and re-enacted with amendments, to read
as follows:

724A. On and after September 1, 1937, the salaries of all
teachers in the public schools in Washington County shall be
on the same basis and at the same rates as for the school year
1932-1933.

The County Commissioners of Washington County are
hereby directed to levy a sufficient amount to pay the salaries
as herein prescribed.

SEC. 2. And be it further enacted, That this Act shall take
effect June 1, 1937.

Approved May 18, 1937.

CHAPTER 172.

AN ACT to repeal and re-enact with amendments Section 74
of Article 16 of the Annotated Code of Maryland (1924 Edi-
tion), title "Chancery', ' sub-title "Infants", to provide for
the adoption of adults.

SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Mary-
land, That Section 74 of Article 16 of the Annotated Code of
Maryland (1924 Edition), title "Chancery", sub-title "In-
fants", be and it is hereby repealed and re-enacted with amend-
ments to read as follows:

74. The several equity courts of this State, upon the appli-
cation of any person residing in the city or county where such
application is made, or the equity court in the city or county
where a person to be adopted resides, shall have power to pass
a decree declaring any person the adopted child of the peti-
tioner, upon such reasonable notice to the parent or parents,
guardian or guardians, of such child, if any there be, where a
child is to be adopted, or to the next of kin of the petitioner
where an adult is to be adopted, by summons, order of publica-
tion or otherwise, as the court may order to be given, provided
that the court passing the decree shall become satisfied, upon
careful investigation, in the case of a child, that the best in-