222

LAWS OF MARYLAND.

CHAP. 164

may summon and qualify as witnesses under oath and exam-
ine its officers, agents and employees or other persons in
relation to the affairs, transactions and conditions of the
corporation. He shall publish the annual statements rendered
to him by this corporation, and also its reports on valuations
and verifications thereof he may make or other findings, and
shall furnish the society with a certificate of the same.
8 B. In addition to the duties of this corporation men-
tioned in the preceding section and the powers of investiga-

Additional
powers given

tion therein given to the Insurance Commissioner, this cor-
poration shall be subject also, in his discretion, to any and
all other investigations authorized to be made of fraternal
orders under the general laws of this State, as now in force
or hereafter may be in force, pertaining to the same and for
the purpose of giving full publicity as to their condition and
transactions; and it shall be required also to file the same
papers with the Insurance Commissioner and to pay him the
same fees and other charges therefor, and for making exam-
inations, granting license to do business-, and for all other
purposes as are now or hereafter may be provided in the
general laws of this State pertaining to and for the govern-
ment of fraternal orders.
8 C. That the money or other benefits, charity, relief, or
aid, to be paid, provided or rendered by this corporation, or

Money not
liable to
attachment.

any of its subordinate councils or branches shall, neither
before nor after being paid, be liable to attachment, garnish-
ment or other process, and shall not be seized, taken, appro-
priated or applied by any legal or equitable process or
operation of law to pay any debt or liability of a certificate
holder or of any beneficiary.
8 D. That subject to its constitution and laws this corpo-
ration may extend its business and may from time to time

May extend its
business and
establish
subordinate
councils.

establish subordinate councils or branches in any part of the
United States of America or elsewhere and issue to them
charters, which shall bear the respective dates of their issue,
recite the respective names or titles by which such subordi-
nate councils or branches are to be known, and shall contain
the names of their respective officers and trustees or direc-
tors for the first year. Upon being organized and receiving
its charter from this corporation, each subordinate council
or branch shall, by the name mentioned in its charter, become
a separate body corporate and politic under this Act, and be