ARCHIVIST OF THE HALL OF RECORDS 31

the Presbyterian Church of Annapolis for lots 4 and 5 on South East
Street, 1847. (2) Incorporation proceedings and constitution of the
Presbyterian Church of Annapolis, 1852, handwritten copy. October
6, 1948.

Purchases

HAMMOND, MISS NETTA, Commission to Robert Cumming as Major
General of the First Division M.M., 1812. July 20, 1948.

WITHDRAWALS

ADJUTANT GENERAL

Withdrawn June 3, 1949.

Muster Rolls, Pay Rolls, Letters Received, Oaths of Enlistment, Oaths
of Office, Applications for Commissions, Applications for Dis-
charges, Vouchers, Requisitions, etc., 1898-1906, 85 boxes. This
material was needed by the Adjutant General for pension
purposes.

OPERATION OF THE DISPOSAL ACT

The complex problem of the proper disposition of records is demanding
an increasing proportion of our time and effort. Many public offices are
faced with the problem of providing storage space for their noncurrent
records. Much of this material is of little value and could be destroyed
without any serious loss. As a result, the Archivist has been called upon
frequently for assistance in solving such problems.

It is expected also that the passage of Chapter 755 of the Acts of
1949 will bring about a further increase in our activity in this field. Briefly,
the act reduces the required retention period of records from five to three
years, establishes a procedure for scheduling the periodic destruction of
records and defines certain types of non-record materials which may be
destroyed without further ado when the custodian deems they are no
longer necessary for the operation of his office. The full text of this law
is printed elsewhere in this report. It did not become effective until June 1,
1949, and the only records affected by its operation are those of the County
Commissioners of Montgomery County which were under consideration
when the year ended.