•LLOYD LOWNDES, ESQUIRE, GOVERNOR.

sequences which might result to their business should they fail
to comply with the demends of those managing said combina-
tions; and
WHEREAS, Certain exclusive privileges have been offered,

715

held out and agreed to be given to those who entered said com-
binations, as against their rivals in business, to the great disad-
vantage and damage of those traders who have refused to be
coerced by said threats and the granting of the privileges afore-
said ; and
WHEREAS, Public policy requires the prohibition of all such

Preamble.

combinations, howsoever the same may be brought about, and
the adoption of such laws as will promote healthy competition
in trade; therefore,

SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Mary-

Preamble.

land, That certain new sections be added to Article 27 of the
Code of Public General Laws of the State of Maryland, title
" Crimes and Punishments," under the new sub title " Trade,"
to follow section 263, and to be known as sections 263 A, 263 B
and 263 C.

263 A. No person or association of persons shall either

New section
added.

directly or indirectly, by agent or otherwise, use or hold for
use in any way, or sell any stamp, commonly called a trading
stamp, or any ticket, or check, or any written or printed promise
or assurance, express or implied, or an y other scheme or device
for the sale, barter or trade of any goods, wares or merchandise
holding out as an inducement for any such sale, barter or trade,
the giving or issuing of any such stamp, ticket, check, promise,
assurance, scheme or device, which stamp, ticket, check, promise,
assurance, scheme or device, is to be or may be presented to or
redeemed by some person or association of persons other than
those making the sale, barter or trade aforesaid, the holder of
said stamp, ticket, check, promise, assurance, scheme or device
for presentment or redemption getting or receiving in exchange
therefor any gift, prize or gratuity, or anything uncertain,
undetermined or unknown to the purchaser of said goods,
wares or merchandise at the time of the purchase thereof.

263 B. No person or association of persons shall either directly

Unlawful to
deal in
trading
stamps.

or indirectly by agent or otherwise, use or hold for use, or sell
any stamp, commonly called a trading stamp, or any ticket,
check, promise or assurance, express or implied, or any other
scheme or device of the kind or character described in the pre-
ceding section of this article, and thereby prohibited to be
used or held for use, or to be sold, when the same, instead of

Unlawful
to deal in
trading
stamps.