226 LAWS OF MARYLAND. [CH. 137

716B. Every writ, warrant, summons or other process
issued in any civil case by any Justice of the Peace ap-
pointed for Baltimore City, or by any Judge of the People's
Court of Baltimore City, shall be made returnable before
the Chief Judge of the People's Court and all proceedings
in such cases shall be had before said Chief Judge or such
Associate Judge as he may assign. Each of said Judges
shall have such jurisdiction as is exercisable by Justices
of the Peace in civil cases in Baltimore.

716C. Actions triable in said Court shall be commenced
by filing a written statement of claim, in concise form
and free from technicalities, setting forth briefly the par-
ticulars of plaintiff's claim, and accompanied by any bond,
bill of exchange, promissory note or other instrument,
writing or account, upon which such action is brought.
The plaintiff or his agent shall affix his signature to the
statement of claim, and, if required by law or rule, shall
verify such statement by oath or affirmation. When and
as authorized by rule, a clerk of said Court shall, without
charge therefor, assist in the preparation of the state-
ment of claim and other papers required to be filed in an
action in said Court, and administer requisite oaths or
affirmations.

716D. Summons, which shall include as a part thereof
a copy of the statement of claim and verification, shall be
served upon the defendant named therein, either by Con-
stable or, in suits for money judgments, when and as
authorized by rule as hereinafter provided, by registered
mail with return receipt. Where service is by registered
mail, the clerk shall enclose the summons and a copy of
the statement of claim and verification in an envelope
addressed to the defendant, prepay the postage and mail
the same forthwith, noting on the records the day and
hour of mailing. Such receipt when returned shall be
attached by the clerk to the original statement of claim
and shall constitute prima facie evidence of service upon
the defendant. If such receipt is not returned within such
time as shall be prescribed by rule, personal service upon
such defendant shall be made by Constable. Any such
mail summons shall constitute effective service even though
not delivered if (1) such non-delivery is caused by the
addressee's refusal to accept delivery and (2) the Clerk
mails such summons to the addressee by ordinary mail at
least three days before the date fixed for the trial. Nota-
tions by an authorized postal employee to the effect that
the addressee has refused delivery shall be prima facie
evidence thereof.