Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1918-02-22
Director Of Farm Products" For
...- .. Maryland.

Assembly of Maryland. That, for the pur-
pose Of promoting proper, efficient and
economical handling, transporting distri-
button and sale Of agricultural. horticultu-
raj. dairy and farm products Of all kinds
within the State Of Maryland. and for the
further purpose Of assisting growers, pro-
ducers and consumers of the State in SELL
ing and purchasing the same under fair
and favorable conditions, and at reason
able prices, there is hereby created the
Office Of Director of Farm Products.
Sec. 2. And be it further enacted. That
the Governor shall appoint, by and with
the advice and consent Of the Senate, and
If the Senate shall not be in session. then
the Governor alone shall appoint Direc-
tor Of Farm Products, who shall be quail
fed for the performance Of his duties I'M
der this Act by practical training and ex-
perience, and who shall hold office for the
period Of two years. The Director of Farm
Products shall receive a salary of $4,000
per annum, and shall be allowed his nee
essary travelling and other expenses In
Cured in the performance Of the duties
required Of him by this Act He is hereby
authorized to appoint, by and with the
approval Of the Governor. such number Of
deputies, assistants, clerks. draymen and
other help as he may deem necessary. the
compensation for whom shall be fixed by
the Director, with the approvalof the Gov
ernor. The Director Is also authorized to
incur such expenses for rent, stationery
and other supplies and equipment as he
may deem necessary. The duties and pow
ers Of the Director of Farm Products shall
be as follows:
(a) To establish and maintain head
quarters In the City of Baltimore, and
branch offices in such counties. cities and
towns as he may deem expedient.
(b) To accept consignments Of asricul-
tural, horticultural. dairy and farm pro-
ducts from growers or producers within the
State, to sell such consignments at public
or private sale. and to charge to the con-
signors for such services commissions not
exceeding eight per cent. of the selling price.
in addition to such charges for drayage.
storage, ETC., as may be proper.
(c) To cooperate with growers, producers
and consumers In devisins and maintain
ing economical and efficient systems Of
distribution. and to aid in every possible
way in accomplishing the reduction of
waste and expense incidental to marketing.
(d) To investigate the methods and
practices Of factors. commission merchants
and others In this State who receive, solicit,
buy, SELL handle on commission or other
wise, or deal In agricultural. horticultural.
dairy and farm products Of all kinds, to the
end that the Director of Farm Products
may be enabled to recommend to the Gov
ernor the action or legislation needed to
insure the distribution of such comrnodi-
ties efficiently, economically and without
hardship. waste or fraud.
(e) To have authority to maintain a
market news service. including information
as to crops. freight rates, commission rates.
and such other matters as may be Of service
to growers, producers and consumers
O To submit to the Governor on or be-
fore the first day of December In each year
a report containing a detailed account OF
all the activities Of his office. together with
such other facts and recommendation as
he may deem Of value to the people Of the
State.
(e) To make. with the approval Of the
Governor. such rules and regulations as he
may deem necessary and proper to insure
that all persons similarly circumstnnced
shall be afforded equal opportunity to take
advantage Of the benefits Of this Act. and
particularly to buy from or sell throug h the
agency of the Director of Farm Products
Such rules and regulations shall be printed
In convenient form and shall be at all
times accessible to anyone interested. The
Director. however. shall have power to
limit the size and nature OF the consign.
ments Of any person. firm or corporation
and to limit the amount which any person
firm or corporation may purchase from him
(h) To give bond. with approved surety
or sureties to the State OF Maryland, in the
sum Of $4,000 conditioned to faithfully
perform the duties required Of him by this
Act.
Sec. 8. And be 1t further enacted. Thai
all salaries, expenses. etc. authorized BY
this Act shall be paid out Of moneys ap
propriated therefor by the General ABsem.
bly,. All commissions. drayaee and stor.
age CHARGES and other receipts Of his office
coming into the hands Of the Director o.
Farm Products shall be accounted for anC
turned over on the first day Of each month
to the State Treasurer. who shall create 9
special fund to be known as the Earn
Products Fund" Should the appropri alton
made by the General Assembly for sala
ries. expenses. ETC.. prove insufficient. the
Director of Farm Products Is authorized
with the approval Of the Governor, &c, pre-
sent vouchers to the State Comptroller fol-
such additional expenditures as may b.
necessary. and the Comptroller shall there.
upon issue his warrant to the State Treas
urer. who shall pay the same out of tn,
Farm Products Fund" On the first da,
Of October in each year any unexpended
balance remaining in the Farm Products
Fund" shall revert to the general funds in
the Treasury for the use and benefit Of the
State.
1t is not the intention Of this Act to fur
nish revenue for the State, and when II
appears the amount Of the Farm Products
Fund" in the hands of the State Treasurer
10 sufficient TO reimburse the State for the
annual appropriation made to pay the
salaries and expenses incurred through the
operation Of this Act. and to meet any ad-
ditional expenses which may be incurred In
any fiscal year the Director Of Farm Products
is hereby authorized and directed to reduce