Theodore R. McKeldin, Governor                      923

174B. Any person who makes a false statement or report of the
commission of a crime or of the existence of any condition imminently
dangerous to public health or safety, or causes such a false statement
or report to be made, to any official or agency of this State, or of any
county, city or other political subdivision of this State, knowing the
same, or any material part thereof, to be false and with intent that
such official or agency investigate, consider or take action in connec-
tion with such statement or report, shall be deemed guilty of a mis-
demeanor and upon conviction shall be subject to a fine of not more
than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), or be imprisoned not more
than six (6) months, or be both fined and imprisoned, in the discre-
tion of the court.

Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That if any part, section, sub-
section, sentence, clause or phrase of this sub-title shall be held uncon-
stitutional or void for any reason, such decision shall not affect the
validity of the remaining portions of this sub-title, it being the
legislative intent that this Act shall be considered severable.

Sec. 3. And be it further enacted, That this Act is hereby declared
to be an emergency measure and necessary for the immediate preser-
vation of the public health and safety and having been passed by
a yea and nay vote, supported by three-fifths of all of the members
elected to each of the two Houses of the General Assembly, the same
shall take effect from the date of its passage.

Approved April 10, 1957.

CHAPTER 550
(House Bill 250)

AN ACT to repeal and re-enact, with amendments, Sub-section (a)
of Section 540 of the Charter and Public Local Laws of Baltimore
City (1949 Edition), title "Baltimore City", sub-title "Police Com-
missioner", heading "Appointment and Promotions", exempting
the Secretary to the Chief Inspector from being required to take
competitive examinations, and requiring that before a candidate
may appear on the graded list for appointment or promotion, he
must achieve the minimum passing grade on the written examina-
tion fixed by the examining authority.

Section 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Maryland,
That Sub-section (a) of Section 540 of the Charter and Public Local
Laws of Baltimore City (1949 Edition), title "Baltimore City", sub-
title "Police Commissioner", heading "Appointment and Promotions",
be and the same is hereby repealed and re-enacted, with amendments,
to read as follows:

540. (a) The Examining Authority shall ascertain by competitive
examinations the relative qualifications of all candidates for appoint-

Explanation: Italics indicate new matter added to existing law.

[Brackets] indicate matter stricken from existing law.
CAPITALS indicate amendments to bill.
Strike out indicates matter stricken out of bill.