22 LAWS OF MARYLAND. [CH. 24

him and, in his opinion, has reached the normal physical de-
velopment of a child of its age, and is in sufficiently sound
health and physically able to be employed in the occupation
or process for which a permit is applied for.

(3) Evidence of age showing that the child is fourteen years
old or upwards, which shall consist of one of the following
proofs of age and shall be required in the order herein desig-
nated, as follows:

(a) a duly attested transcript of the birth certificate filed
according to law with a register of vital statistics, or other
officer charged with the duty of recording births, which certifi-
cate shall be prima facie evidence of the age "of such child.

(b) A passport or a duly attested transcript of a certificate
of baptism showing the date of birth and place of baptism of
such child.

(c) A bona fide contemporary record of the date and place
of the child's birth kept in the Bible in which the records of
the births in the family of the child are preserved, a passport
showing the age of the child, a certificate of arrival in the
United States issued by the United States immigration officers
and showing the age of the child, or a life insurance policy;
provided that such other satisfactory documentary evidence
has been in existence at least one year prior to the time it is
offered in evidence; and provided further that a school record
or a parent's, guardian's, or custodian's affidavit, certificate,
or other written statement of age shall not be accepted except
as specified in paragraph (d).

(d) In case none of the proofs required by sub-divisions (a),
(b) or (c) of this section can be produced, the officer issuing
said permit may issue a temporary permit allowing said child
to work for ten days, and shall accept as full proof of age the
sworn affidavit of the child's parent, guardian, legal custodian
or next friend, such affidavit containing the name of said child,
alleged age, place and date of birth and present residence and
any other matter that may assist in determining the age of the
child, and the further affidavit that the evidence of age required
by sub-divisions (a) or (b) of this section cannot be produced
by the applicant; and if upon investigation by the officer no
facts appear contradicting any of the material statements of
such application, the officer may, after 10 days, issue a regular
permit for such child; provided that the officer issuing permits
shall not accept the aforegoing affidavit unless said affidavit
be accompanied by the written certificate of the physician
appointed by the Commissioner to issue such permits, certi-
fying that he has made a physical examination and inspection
of said child and verily believes said child to be of the full age
of fourteen years, and whenever practical all information re-