1452 LAWS OF MARYLAND [CH. 662

the council for its approval and may be changed or modi-
fied in any manner the council sees fit before approving
them. The council, on the recommendation of the civil
service commission or on its own initiative, may amend
these rules and regulations from time to time as it sees
fit. Among other things, these rules shall make provision
for:

(a) Giving competitive examinations whenever practic-
able to determine the fitness of applicants for positions in
the city service.

(b) Making promotions within the city service on the
basis of ability and merit.

(c) Establishing the length of a probation period.

(d) Vacation leave and sick leave for employees in the
classified service.

(e) The manner in which lay-offs shall be effected.

(f) An appeal to the civil service commission by any
classified officer or employee who feels that he has been
discharged^ demoted, suspended, or otherwise disciplined in
violation of the provisions of Section 77 of this charter.
FROM THE DECISION OF THE SAID COMMISSION,
THERE SHALL BE AN APPEAL DE NOVO TO THE
CIRCUIT COURT OF ALLEGANY COUNTY.

(g) Any other matters concerned with personnel admin-
istration.

RETIREMENT:

75. The City of Frostburg is authorized to affiliate with
the State Retirement System, or with the federal social
security system whenever the General Assembly shall have
enacted the necessary permissive legislation.

COMMISSIONER OF STATE EMPLOYMENT AND
REGISTRATION:

76. In order that the city's merit system may be ad-
ministered without unnecessary expense, the city may re-
quest and avail itself of the facilities of the Commission of
State Employment and Registration.

PROHIBITIONS:

77. 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