WM. PRESTON LANE, JR., GOVERNOR. 25

SEC. 2. And be it further enacted, That the County Com-
missioners of Washington County are hereby authorized and
empowered to levy and collect taxes in such amount as they,
in their discretion, deem advisable to cover expenditures
for said school construction and improvement program. The
amount so collected shall be set aside in a special fund to
be known as the "School Improvement Fund", and shall be
expended only for the purposes set forth in this Act.

SEC. 3. And be it further enacted, That all money in the
School Improvement Fund shall be deposited in a separate
and special account in some bank or banks, savings institution
or institutions or trust company or companies by the said
Board of County Commissioners of Washington County at the
best rate of interest obtainable, and the said money shall be
paid out only on checks, signed by the President of the said
Board of County Commissioners of Washington County,
countersigned by the Clerk of said Board.

SEC. 4. And be it further enacted, That the said Board of
Education of Washington County shall award the contracts
for the construction, alteration, repair, addition and equip-
ment of the school buildings hereinbefore mentioned, as well
as other school buildings in the City of Hagerstown and
Washington County, Maryland, and for all equipment and
supplies for the same to the lowest responsible bidder there-
for after the said Board shall have had competitive bids sub-
mitted to it; provided, however, that the said Board shall
have the right to reject any and all bids. Said Board of
Education shall require the successful bidder or bidders to
whom said contracts are awarded to make a contract in
writing for the faithful performance of the work and said
contractors shall agree in said contracts to complete and
equip the said buildings and additions within a reasonable
time after the said contract is let as specified in each contract
by the said Board of Education of Washington County, to
pay all laborers employed by him or them in connection with
said contract and for all materials used in the construction
and equipping of said buildings and additions, and shall give
bond acceptable to said Board for the faithful performance
of his, their or its contract. And the said Board of Education
is hereby given full power and authority to employ an archi-
tect or architects and to do all other things in connection
with the construction, remodeling, furnishing and equipping
of said school buildings and additions as may be necessary.

SEC. 5. And be* it further enacted, That whenever any sum
or sums of money shall become due for the purchase of land
or shall become due to any contractor under contract awarded
under the provisions of Section 4 herein, and the said Board