ALBERT C. RITCHIE, GOVERNOR. 1245

systems of modern indexes now in vogue in Maryland, and
adjoining States for the purpose of determining the best
system to install in said Clerk's office and for this purpose,
the said Clerk is authorized and directed to pay the traveling
and other expenses, incidental thereto of himself and said Com-
mittee out of the excess fees of his office for the fiscal year
ending October 1st, 1927, a sum not to exceed five hundred
dollars.

SEC. 5. And be it further enacted, that this Act shall take
effect June 1st, 1927.

Approved April 26, 1927.

CHAPTER 614.

AN ACT to add a new section to Article 48-A of the Code of
Public General Laws of Maryland, title "Insurance, " sub-
title "Fraternal Beneficiary Associations, " to be known as
Section 183, and said section to follow immediately after
Section 182 and to provide for the protection to the children
or dependents of members of fraternal beneficiary associa-
tions or societies, and to prescribe the standard of solvency
for such associations and/or societies, and to repeal all Acts
and parts of Acts inconsistent with this Act.

SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Mary-
land, That a new section be added to Article 48A of the Code
of Public General Laws of Maryland, title "Insurance, " said
section to be known as Section 183, and said section to follow
immediately after Section 182, and to read as follows:

SEC. 183. Any Fraternal benefit society authorized to do
business in this state that is one hundred percent (100%)
solvent and has been doing business in Maryland for six or
more years and has been one hundred per cent. (100%) solvent
for the entire period, and operating on the lodge plan may pro-
vide in its constitution and by-laws, in addition to other ben-
efits provided therein, for the payment of death or annuity
benefits upon the lives of children upon the application of some
adult person upon whom such child is dependent for support
and maintenance. Any such society may, at its option, organ-
ize and operate branches for such children, and membership in
local lodges and initiation therein shall not be required of such