724 LAWS OF MARYLAND [CH. 277

(12) (Garbage and Trash. ) To regulate or prevent the
throwing or depositing of any dirt, garbage, trash, oil or
liquids, in any place, and to provide for the proper disposal of
such material.

(13) (Health. ) To appoint a Board of Health and to define
and regulate its powers and duties; to establish quarantine
regulations and to authorize the removal or confinement of
persons having infectious or contagious diseases; to prevent
and remove nuisances; to prevent the introduction of contag-
ious diseases into the municipality; to regulate places manu-
facturing soap, fertilizer and other obnoxious things; to regu-
late slaughter houses, packing houses and all places where
offensive trades or activities may be carried on; to remove
places which cause or may cause unsanitary conditions or con-
ditions detrimental to health, and to accomplish any of these
purposes directly or indirectly and contribute to the cost of
indirect accomplishment. Provided that nothing herein shall
be construed to affect in any manner any of the powers and
duties of the State Board of Health, or County Board of Health
or contravene any public general or public local law relating
to the subject of health.

(14) (Inspection. ) To authorize and require the inspection
of gas pipes, oil pipes, water pipes, plumbing facilities and in-
stallation, electric lines and signs, and drainage and sewerage
systems on private property and to compel repairs or altera-
tions thereon.

(15) (Liens. ) To provide that any valid charges, taxes or
assessments, regular or special, made against any real property
shall be liens upon such property to be collected in the same
manner as municipal taxes are collected.

(16) (Markets. ) To establish and to regulate markets and to
license the sale of marketable commodities therein.

(17) (Merit System. ) To establish a merit system in con-
nection with the appointment of municipal officials and em-
ployees not elected or appointed under the Constitution or the
Public General or Public Local Laws of the State other than
this Charter, and to request and avail themselves of the facili-
ties of the Commissioner of State Employment and Registra-
tion for the administration of such merit system without any
unnecessary expense.

(18) (Parks. ) To establish and maintain such parks, gar-
dens, playgrounds and recreational facilities as in the discre-
tion of the Commissioners are deemed to be for the health and
welfare of the municipality.