750                                   LAWS OF MARYLAND                           CH. 451

any federal or State agencies in matters relating to airline schedules,
airport services and charges, discriminations, labor relations, trade
practices, and all other matters affecting the physical development
of and the business interest of the Authority and those it serves.

(m) Federal agency grants; contributions. To make application
for, receive, and accept from any federal agency grants for or in
aid of the planning, construction, operation, or financing of any air-
port facility, and to receive and accept contributions from any source
of either money, property, labor, or other things of value, to be held,
used, and applied for the purposes for which made.

(n) Executive director. To appoint an executive director, who
shall serve at the pleasure of the Authority, be responsible to it,
and receive such salary as may be fixed by the Authority from time
to time; he shall be the chief administrative officer of the Authority
and the Authority may delegate to him any of its administrative
powers and authorizations; he shall be a man of good character,
integrity, and business experience, and during the time of his
employment have no financial interest in any airport facilities or
projects with respect to which the Authority has jurisdiction or any
power or authorization to act.

(o) Agents and employees. To employ consulting engineers,
bond counsel, accountants, construction and financial experts, super-
intendents, managers, clerks, stenographers, laborers, and such other
agents and employees as necessary. The employment, compensation
and tenure of all full-time employees as necessary, except the execu-
tive director, and other key personnel as the Authority determines,
with the approval of the Governor, who require engineering, scien-
tific or expert training and qualifications, are subject generally to
the provisions and restrictions of Article 64A of the Annotated Code
of Maryland, title "Merit System," and the full-time employees,
together with the executive director and other key personnel, are
subject also to the rights and benefits of Article 73B of said Code,
title "Pensions"; but the power to set the salaries and compensa-
tion of all employees not covered by the provisions of said Article
64A is vested solely in the Authority and in no way is subject to
the control or jurisdiction of the Standard Salary Board or of any
other officer or agency.

(p) Promotion of air carrier service. To do all things necessary
and proper to promote and increase air carrier service within its
territorial jurisdiction, including the purchase of advertising, engag-
ing upon public relation programs, publication of literature, solici-
tation of business, and cooperation with governmental., civic, tech-
nical, professional and business organizations and associations.

(q) Contracts. To make and enter into all contracts and agree-
ments necessary or incidental to the performance of its duties and
execution of its powers under this article; but all projects involving
construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, improvement, and repair
of airport facilities, which contracts involve the expenditure of five
thousand dollars or more, shall be performed by private industry,
and contracts for these expenditures shall be awarded on the basis
of the lowest responsible bid received therefor in response to an
invitation for bids published at least twice in two newspapers having
general circulation in the State of Maryland. Development work not
susceptible to accurate bidding may be awarded by negotiation.