1614 LAWS OF MARYLAND [CH. 539

RETIREMENT SYSTEM

137. The City of Frederick shall have the power to
take all necessary steps to have the officers and employees
of the city included within the operation of any federal,
state, or other pension or retirement system under the
terms of which they are admissible. Any separate retire-
ment systems for policemen or for any other city employees
which may be in operation at the time this charter takes
effect may be continued if the board of aldermen enacts
in the form of ordinances the provisions of any such exist-
ing retirement systems. The board of aldermen, however,
may provide that all city employes already covered by an
existing retirement system shall be included in any retire-
ment plan made applicable to Frederick city employees in
general. Provided, however, that any former policeman
or other city employee receiving a pension from the city
at the time this charter becomes effective shall continue to
receive the same pension under the same terms and condi-
tions under which he has been receiving it.

PROHIBITIONS

138. No person in the classified service of the city or
seeking admission thereto shall be appointed, promoted,
demoted, removed, or in any way favored or discriminated
against because of his political or religious opinions or
affiliations or any other factors not related to ability to
perform the work. No person shall wilfully or corruptly
make any false statement, certificate, mark, rating, or
report in regard to any test, certification, or appointment
held or made under the personnel provisions of this charter
or in any manner commit or attempt to commit any fraud
preventing the impartial execution of such personnel pro-
visions or of the rules and regulations made thereunder.
No officer or employee in the classified service of the city
shall continue in such position after becoming a candidate
for nomination or election to any public office. No person
seeking appointment to or promotion in the classified serv-
ice of the city shall either directly or indirectly give,
render, or pay any money, service, or other valuable thing
to any person for or on account of or in connection with
his test, appointment, proposed appointment, promotion,
or proposed promotion. No person shall orally, by letter, or
otherwise solicit or be in any manner concerned in solicit-
ing any assessment, subscription, or contribution for any
political party or political purpose whatever from any
person holding a position in the classified service of the
city. No person holding a position in the classified service