970 LAWS OF MARYLAND. [CH. 562:

cooperating with or acting as agent of the Federal Gov-
ernment in) the development 9r administration of any
project to assure the availability of safe and sanitary
dwellings for persons engaged in national-defense activi-
ties, are hereby validated and declared legal in all respects,
notwithstanding any defect or irregularity therein or any
want of statutory authority.

29. This Article shall constitute an independent author-
ization for a Housing Authority to undertake the devel-
opment or administration of projects to assure the avail-
ability of safe and sanitary dwellings for persons engaged
in national-defense activities as provided in this Article
and for a Housing Authority to cooperate with, or act as
agent for, the Federal Government in the development or
administration of similar projects by the Federal Gov-
ernment. In acting under this authorization, a Housing
Authority shall not be subject to any limitations, restric-
tions or requirements of other laws (except those relating
to land acquisition) prescribing the procedure or action
to be taken in the development or administration of any
public works, including sum clearance and housing proj-
ects for persons of low income or undertakings or projects
of municipal or public corporations or political subdivi-
sions or agencies of the State. A Housing Authority may
do any and all things necessary or desirable to cooperate
with, or act as agent for, the Federal Government, or
to secure financial aid, in the expeditious development or
in the administration of projects to assure the availability
of safe and sanitary dwellings for persons engaged in
national-defense activities and to effectuate the purposes,
of this Article.

30. (a) "Persons engaged in national-defense activi-
ties", as used in this Article, shall include: persons in the
military and naval services of the United States and em-
ployees of the War and Navy Departments or other de-
partments of the Federal Government; and workers en-
gaged or to be engaged in industries or activities connected
with or essential to the national-defense program; and
shall include the families and dependents of the aforesaid-
persons who are living with them.

(b) "Development" as used in this Article, shall mean
any and all undertakings necessary for the planning, land
acquisition, demolition, financing, construction or equip-
ment in connection with a project (including the negotia-
tion or award of contracts therefor), and shall include the
acquisition of any project (in whole or in part) from the
Federal Government.