74 LAWS OF MARYLAND. [CH. 75

such other positive action as they may deem necessary and
proper for purposes of public defense in time of actual or
impending war, insurrection, riot, or other emergencies such
as floods, fires, disasters or epidemics of disease and for
the defense of Montgomery County or the safeguarding of
its people and property, and to alleviate suffering in time of
actual or impending disaster or peril or to otherwise aid
the State of Maryland or the United States in connection
with National Defense, or for any other purpose necessary
for the preservation of the public health, safety or welfare,
and to borrow upon the faith and credit of Montgomery
County such sum or sums as may be necessary to carry out
the provisions of this Act.

SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Mary-
land, That the County Commissioners of Montgomery County
be and they are hereby authorized and empowered to appro-
priate at any time or from time to time, either in the annual
budget appropriation or by interim resolution, such sum or
sums as they may by resolution declare to be necessary or
expedient for public defense in time of actual or impending
war, insurrection, riot, or other emergencies such as floods,
fires, disasters or epidemics of disease, and for the defense of
Montgomery County or the safeguarding of its people or prop-
erty, and to alleviate suffering in time of actual or impending
disaster or peril or to otherwise aid the State of Maryland
or the United States in connection with National Defense, or
for any other purpose necessary for the preservation of the
public health, safety or welfare in Montgomery County, and
to borrow upon the faith and credit of Montgomery County
such sum or sums as may be necessary to carry out the pro-
visions of this Act.

SEC. 2. And be it further enacted, That in order to carry out
the provisions of this Act the County Commissioners of Mont-
gomery County may provide and furnish arms and ammunition
to its citizens or to the militia of the State of Maryland, and
may provide and furnish any or all persons engaged in public
defense within Montgomery County with protective armor and
such other equipment and supplies and also provide for the
purchase, rent, hire, and maintenance of lands, buildings, and
equipment as the said Commissioners may consider to be neces-
sary and proper. The said Commissioners may engage the
services of persons charged with assisting in public defense
and may fix the compensation of such persons, including the
payment for services heretofore rendered in connection with
the Civilian Defense Activities of said County, and may do
all other things needful and necessary to protect and safe-
guard the people and property within Montgomery County