802 LAWS OF MARYLAND. [CH. 271

become blind while a resident of this State, or must have been
a resident of this State for seven years prior to making appli-
cation for relief under this Act. A resident of another State
in attendance as a pupil at a, college, university, technical, pro-
fessional or other school in this State, or as a patient in a
hospital or under the care of a physician for eye trouble, should
not be entitled to receive relief under the provision of this Act.

19. At least ten days prior to action on any claim for re-
lief hereunder, a person claiming shall file with the Board of
the Maryland Workshop for the Blind application setting
forth the facts bringing him, within these provisions. Such
applications and written reports of the evidence relating thereto
shall be kept on file, which record shall be open to the public.
The Maryland Workshop for the Blind shall make or cause
to be made careful investigation, looking up his references, and
pursuing such other sources of information as are available
for the purpose of determining the truth of the statement
contained in the application; and whether, under all circum-
stances, considering his own resources, and the ability of any
member of his family to contribute to his support, the possi-
bility of compelling contributions from any person under obli-
gation to do so, and the possibility of the applicant receiving
such education or instruction as will enable him to become at
least, partially self-supporting, the applicant is in need of a
benefit under the provisions of this Act.

No certificate of qualification of drawing money hereunder
shall be granted until the Maryland Workshop for the Blind
shall be satisfied from the evidence of at least two reputable
residents of the county or the City of Baltimore that they
know the applicant to be needy under the terms of this Act,
and to have the residential qualifications to entitle him to the
relief asked for, and of the Examiner of the Blind that he
knows the applicant to have vision so defective as to render
him incapable of earning the necessities of life.

(a) The Maryland Workshop for the Blind after thorough
examination shall determine the eligibility of the applicant
for entry into the Maryland Workshop for the Blind, and, if
it is demonstrated that the applicant cannot learn to be par-
tially or wholly self-supporting, the individual shall be sent
back to the Board of County Commissioners recommending him
and provided with a relief by the Maryland Workshop for
the Blind in such sum as said Board of the Maryland Work-
shop for the Blind finds needed, not to exceed Two Hundred