ALBERT C. RITCHIE, GOVERNOR.                1237

county and city taxes and charges in the nature of a tax for
the years during which the property is so used, but not ex-
ceeding two years beginning January 1, 1931.

WHEREAS, The Washington, Baltimore and Annapolis Elec-
tric Railroad Company did not in the year 1930 earn its oper-
ating charges, and it is of the utmost importance for the wel-
fare of the State and particularly the communities served by
said railroad, that the operation of said railroad be continued,
and

WHEREAS, It is in the judgment of the General Assembly
of Maryland a wise and sound public policy to encourage the
continued operation of said railroad by the exemption herein
provided:

SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of
Maryland, That the railroad property of the Washington, Bal-
timore and Annapolis Electric Railroad Company, or so much
thereof as may be used for railroad purposes by said company,
its receiver, successors and assigns, be exempt from all State
taxes and charges, including contributions to the cost of con-
struction of railroad crossings made or to be made under the
authority of the State Roads Commission, and from all county
and city taxes and charges in the nature of a tax for the years
during which the property is so used, but not exceeding two*
years beginning January 1, 1931.

SEC. 2. And be it further enacted, That this Act shall take
effect June 1, 1931.

Approved April 17, 1931.

CHAPTER 498.

AN ACT to add 18 new sections to Article 56 of the Anno-
tated Code of Maryland (1924 Edition), title "Licenses, "
sub-title "Motor Vehicles, " said new sections to be known as
Sections 187-18YQ and to follow immediately after Section
186 of said Article providing for the revocation of the license
of an operator or chauffeur and the registration certificate
of any motor vehicle registered in the name of such operator