1112 LAWS OF MARYLAND. [CH. 454

points along public streets or highways in said City, as
may be directed by the passenger or passengers so being
transported; provided that nothing in this sub-title shall
be construed to include as taxicab a motor vehicle operated,
with the approval of the Public Service Commission of
Maryland, on fixed routes and schedules.

551. In order to protect the public health, safety and
welfare of the citizens of the City of Westminster and
other persons who may use taxicab facilities therein, the
Common Council of Westminster is hereby authorized
and empowered by ordinance to fix requirements for the
ownership and operation of taxicabs in the corporate
limits of Westminster and to provide for inspection and
licensing of taxicabs, their owners and operators. The
regulation herein provided for the taxicab industry in
Westminster shall be in addition to any regulation by
the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles of Maryland or the
Public Service Commission of Maryland. Any person,
firm or corporation subject to this sub-title who shall be
dissatisfied with any ordinance of the Common Council
of Westminster, enacted pursuant to the authority herein
conferred, may commence any action in the Circuit
Court for Carroll County against said Council to vacate
and set aside any such ordinance on the ground that the
regulation, practice, act or service established by such
ordinance is unreasonable or unlawful. The decision of
the Circuit Court shall be appealable to the Court of
Appeals of Maryland by either party.

552. Any person, firm or corporation violating any
ordinance promulgated under the authority of this sub-
title, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon convic-
tion shall be punished by a fine of not more than $250. 00
for each offense. In addition, the Common Council of
Westminster, upon proof of any violation of any ordinance
promulgated under this sub-title, shall have authority to
revoke or suspend any license issued under the authority
thereof after according reasonable opportunity to the
licensee to be heard in his, her or its defense.

SEC. 2. And be it further enacted. That this Act shall
take effect June 1, 1949.

Approved April 29, 1949.