450 LAWS OF MARYLAND. [CH. 197

(b) Associations desiring to purchase-goods or obtain ser-
vices, within the purposes designated in this Act may organize
under the provisions of this Act. Such associations may
adopt a non-profit basis in a manner, as far as applicable,
similar to that described in sub-section (a) of this section.

SEC. 492. Every association organized under this act shall
annually on or before the fifteenth day of March make a report
in duplicate to the State Tax Commission; such report shall con-
tain the name of the association, its principal office and gen-
erally a statement as to its business, showing total amount of
business transacted during the year, amount of capital stock
subscribed for and paid in, the authorized rate of dividends
on the paid-up capital stock, number of stockholders, total
expenses of operation, amount of indebtedness or liabilities,
and profits and losses. The State Tax Commission shall trans-
mit one copy of such report to the State Board of Agriculture.

SEC. 493. Any corporation organized under the General
Corporation Law of this State, if such corporation is doing
business upon a co-operative basis, as defined in section 469b.
of this act may convert itself into a co-operative association
nuder this Act, by a majority vote of its members at any
regular or special meeting legally called. The president and
secretary of said association, within thirty days after said
meeting, shall file with the State Tax Commission a declara-
tion, signed and sworn to by said officers, to the effect that said
corporation has by a majority vote of its members decided to
convert itself into a co-operative association under this Act.
The recording fees, their disposition and the disposition of
the declaration shall be the same as for an original article
of incorporation.

SEC. 494. The General Corporation Law of this State shall
apply to all associations organized under this Act except where
said general Corporation Law expressly exempts such associa-
tions or where the provisions of said General Corporation Law
are opposed to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 495. No association organized under this act shall be
deemed to be a combination in restraint of trade or an illegal
monopoly; or an attempt to lessen competition or fix prices
arbitrarily, nor shall the marketing contracts or agreements
authorized in this act be considered illegal or in restraint of
trade.

SEC. 496. a. No person, partnership, corporation or as-