62 LAWS OF MARYLAND. [CH. 29

The Commissioner of Mental Hygiene shall be a qualified
physician who at the time of his appointment has had at least
five years' actual experience in the treatment of mental dis-
eases. He shall be appointed as follows: On the taking effect
of this Act, the associate members of the Board, or a majority
of them, shall designate and nominate to the Governor the man
in their judgment best fitted for the position, and the Gov-
ernor shall thereupon appoint such nominee Commissioner of
Mental Hygiene. The Commissioner shall hold such office as
long as he shall faithfully and efficiently discharge the duties
thereof. He may be removed by the Governor for cause, after
an opportunity for a hearing, and any vacancy occurring in
the office shall be filled in the manner hereinbefore provided.

The Commissioner of Mental Hygiene shall receive a salary
of $3, 600 per annum, and the associate members of the Board
of Mental Hygiene shall serve without pay.

SECTION 5. On the taking effect of this Act, all the rights,
powers, duties, obligations and functions conferred by any of
the sections of Article 59 of the Annotated Code, title "Luna-
tics and Insane, " or by any other provisions of law, upon the
Lunacy Commission, shall be transferred to and thereafter be
exercised and performed by the Board of Mental Hygiene, as
the lawful successor to said Lunacy Commission, and all rights,
powers, duties, obligations and functions conferred by any
provisions of law upon the Secretary of the Lunacy Commis-
sion, shall, on the aforesaid date, be transferred to and there-
after be exercised and performed by the Commissioner of
Mental Hygiene, as the lawful successor to the said Secretary,
to the same extent and effect as if the Board of Mental Hy-
giene, in the former case, and the Commissioner of Mental
Hygiene, in the latter case, had been the body or the official
upon whom the said rights, powers, duties, obligations and
functions were conferred. Thereupon the Lunacy Commis-
sion and the position of Secretary thereto shall each cease and
be abolished.

SECTION 6. The Director of Welfare shall be entitled to
and shall receive the advice, counsel and assistance of the Com-
missioner of Mental Hygiene and of the Board of Mental
Hygiene, or any member thereof, in the performance of any
of his duties.