ALBERT C. RITCHIE, GOVERNOR. 1161

or attempt to cause fires occurred, should he deem it necessary
in the proper discharge of his duties; and they may, in the
exercise of their discretion, take full control and custody of
the said buildings and premises, and place such person in
charge thereof as they may deem proper, until their examina-
tion and investigation shall be completed. The commissioner
and special deputy shall also have authority to inspect public
buildings, such as schoolhouses, churches, opera houses, thea-
tres, hospitals, asylums, public halls, factories, hotels and other
buildings of like character, and to compel the owner or owners
thereof to provide sufficient fire escapes or other means of exit
as he shall direct for the benefit and safety of the occupants
of said buildings, and the said commissioner or his said special
deputy shall give thirty days' notice to the owner or owners of
such buildings to provide such fire escapes or other means of
exit as in his judgment shall be deemed necessary. Upon fail-
ure or refusal of the said owner or owners of said buildings to
comply with the said notice, the said commissioner or his deputy
shall arrest or cause the said person or persons to be arrested,
and upon conviction before any justice of the peace of th-3
city or county of the state of Maryland wherein the owner or
owners reside, or the respective building or buildings may be
located, they shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and
shall pay the fine of not more than one hundred dollars or
less than twenty-five dollars for each offense, and an additional
fine of five dollars for each and every day thereafter that such
violation shall continue; and if the accused shall feel himself
aggrieved by the judgment of the justice of the peace, he shall
have the right of appeal to the circuit court for the county
or the criminal court of Baltimore City and have a jury trial;
this act shall, however, not conflict with any existing laws
now fully covering the same in any of the towns or cities of
the state of Maryland.

SEC. 57. Reports of Examinations of Fires. The commis-
sioner shall, at the request of the board of fire commissioners
of the city of Baltimore, or the county commissioners of any
county, or the municipal authorities of any incorporated city
or town in this state, make to them a written report of the
examination made by him or his deputy regarding any fire
happening within their respective jurisdiction.

SEC. 58. Companies Shall Report Facts Regarding Losses.
It shall be the duty of each fire insurance company or associa-
tion doing business in this state, within ten days after the