MARVIN MANDEL, Governor                        363

to as the Bureau. The main office of the Bureau shall be located in
either Garrett or Allegany County. The precise location shall be se-
lected by the Director of the Bureau of Mines, with the approval of
the [Governor,] Secretary of Natural Resources.

488.

The Governor, with the advice of the Secretary of Natural Re-
sources, shall select and appoint from a list of eligibles prepared by
the State Commissioner of Personnel, a competent person to be
known as the "Director of the Bureau of Mines," who shall be in
charge of the Bureau, and in case of any vacancy in the said office
by reason of death, resignation or otherwise, the Governor, with the
advice of the Secretary of Natural Resources, shall appoint from a
list of eligibles prepared by the State Commissioner of Personnel, a
competent person to fill such office, provided, however, that the
present Chief Mine Engineer, who shall hereafter be designated as
"Director of the Bureau of Mines," shall continue to hold such of-
fice in accordance with the provisions of the merit system law.
Wherever the title "Chief Mine Engineer" is used in this subhead-
heading, the title "Director of the Bureau of Mines" shall be sub-
stituted, and all the powers, duties and authority conferred on the
Chief Mine Engineer by this subheading are hereby conferred on
the Director of the Bureau of Mines.

491.

The Governor, with the advice of the Secretary of Natural Re-
sources, shall appoint three (3) persons who shall constitute a Com-
mission to be known as the "Maryland Commission on Mining Laws."
One of the three members shall be a representative of the mine
operators, one shall be a representative of the mine employees and
at least one member of said Commission shall bona fide belong to or
be affiliated with that one of the two leading political parties in the
State opposite to the Governor's own political party. The Governor
shall designate one of said members to serve as Chairman and said
Commission shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor. It shall be
the duty of said Commission to review from time to time the mining
laws of the State and to recommend changes thereto to the Gover-
nor and to the Secretary of Natural Resources [or other appropriate
body]. The Commission shall also have the authority to make
recommendations as to personnel and equipment and in general
make recommendations as to appropriate authorities that would
promote the safety of miners in the State of Maryland consistent
with producing the maximum amount of coal from the mines. Said
Commission shall meet upon call of the Chairman or upon the call
of the Secretary of Natural Resources but not less than twice each
year. The Commission shall serve without compensation but shall
be allowed reasonable traveling and other expense in the conduct of
its duties.

498.

The Governor shall, upon the recommendation of the Director,
concurred in by the Secretary of Natural