SEC. 7. The word "Petition" as used in this Article,
means one or more sheets written or printed, or partly writ-
ten and partly printed; "Signature" means the signature of
a registered voter written by himself in his own handwrit-
ing (and not by his mark), together with the ward or dis-
trict and precinct in which he is registered. The authen-
ticity of such signatures and the fact that the persons so
signing are registered voters shall be evidenced by the affi-
davit of one or more registered voters of the City or Coun-
ty in which said voters so signing are registered, and one
affidavit may apply to or cover any number of signatures
to such petition. The false signing of any name, or the
signing of any fictitious name to said petition shall be
forgery, and the making of any false affidavit in connection
with said petition shall be perjury.

ARTICLE XI-B.

CITY OF BALTIMORE—LAND DEVELOPMENT
AND EEDEVBLOPMENT.^

SECTION 1. The General Assembly of Maryland, by pub-
lic local law, may authorize and empower the Mayor and
City Council of Baltimore:

(a) To acquire, within the boundary lines of Baltimore
City, land and property of every kind, and any right, in-
terest, franchise, easement or privilege therein, by pur-
chase, lease, gift, condemnation or any other legal means,
for development or redevelopment, including, but not limit-
ed to, the comprehensive renovation or rehabilitation there-
of; and

(b) To sell, lease, convey, transfer or otherwise dis-
pose of any of said land or property, regardless of whether
or not it has been developed, redeveloped, altered or im-
proved and irrespective of the manner or means in or by
which it may have been acquired, to any private, public
or quasi public corporation, partnership, association, per-
son or other legal entity.

No land or property taken by the Mayor and City Coun-
cil of Baltimore for any of the aforementioned purposes
or in connection with the exercise of any of the powers
which may be granted to the Mayor and City Council of
Baltimore pursuant to this Article by exercising the power
of eminent domain, shall be taken without just compensa-
tion, as agreed upon between the parties, or awarded by

' Thus amended by Chapter 162, Acts of 1947, ratified November 2. 1948.