858 LAWS OF MARYLAND. [CH. 654

United States, the District of Columbia, or any subdivision
thereof, to provide for the reception, housing, maintenance, and
care of evacuees, shall prepare all necessary plans for the con-
duct of such evacuation, and may when in their judgment the
public interest or the safety of such persons creates the neces-
sity therefor order and compel, subject to the approval of the
Secretary of War, or any such person or persons designated
by said Secretary of War, the evacuation from Prince George's
County of any such persons to such place or places as they may
designate. In the event of such evacuation, the said County
Commissioners are authorized and empowered to obligate the
said County for the payment of all necessary costs, and to make
such regulations and rules as they may deem necessary to
carry out the provisions of this section, and, for the purpose
of compelling evacuation, may authorize custody by the author-
ized Special Police of any person or persons, which custody
shall be effective until the point of destination has been reached.

SEC. 7. And l*e it further enacted, That the County Commis-
sioners are authorized, empowered and directed to negotiate
with the proper authorities of the Government of the United
States, the States of Maryland and Virginia, and the counties
and municipalities therein, and the District of Columbia, to
effect a uniform Civilian Defense plan for a synchronization of
blackouts and other related matters as may be necessary to
carry out the intent and purposes of this Act; and to accept
from, or loan to, the aforesaid authorities all facilities, supplies,
equipment, personnel and funds that may be from time to time
required, and to agree to such terms, conditions, rules and
regulations as may be imposed in connection with such offers
or loans.

SEC. 8. And be it further enacted, That the statutory penalty
upon conviction of any crime, committed during any authorized
blackout, shall be doubled.

SEC. 9. And be it further enacted, That any person con-
victed of a violation of any provision of this Act, or any rules,
regulations, ordinances or orders promulgated pursuant there-
to, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and subject to a
fine not to exceed Five Thousand. Dollars ($5, 000. 00), or im-
prisonment for not more than one (1) year, or both, for each
offense.

SEC. 10. And be it further enacted, That this Act is hereby
declared to be an emergency law and necessary for the imme-
diate preservation of the public health and safety, and being
passed upon a yea and nay vote, supported by three-fifths of