1338 LAWS OF MARYLAND. [CH. 563

(b) When the Federal Government or any agency or officer
thereof shall offer to the State or any political subdivision
thereof, services, equipment, supplies, materials, or funds by
way of gift, grant or loan for purposes of civil defense, the
State, acting through the Governor, or such political sub-
division, acting with the consent of the Governor, and
through its executive officer or governing body, may accept
such offer and may authorize any officer of the State or of
the political subdivision as the case may be, to receive such
aid and assistance.

(c) Whenever any person, firm or corporation shall offer
to the State or to any political subdivision thereof any aid
or assistance, the State and the political subdivision, act-
ing as in (b), above, is hereby authorized to accept same.

187. (Utilization of Existing Services and Facilities. ) In
carrying out the provisions of this sub-title, the Governor,
the Adjutant General and the executive officers or governing
bodies of the political sub-divisions of the State are directed
to utilize the services, equipment, supplies and facilities of
existing departments, offices, and agencies of the State and of
the political sub-divisions thereof to the maximum extent
practicable, and the officers and personnel of all such depart-
ments, offices and agencies are directed to cooperate with and
extend such services and facilities to the Governor or to the
Director and to the civil defense organizations throughout
the State upon request.

188. (Severability. ) If any provision of this sub-title or
the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held
invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or
applications of this sub-title which can be given effect without
the invalid provisions or application, and to this end the pro-
visions of this sub-title are declared to be severable.

189. (Enforcement. ) It shall be the duty of every organi-
zation for civil defense established pursuant to this sub-title
and of the officers thereof, to execute and enforce such orders,
rules and regulations as may be made by the Governor under
authority of this sub-title.

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

Approved April 29, 1949.