PHILLIPS LEE GOLDSBOROUGH, GOVERNOR. 497

Commission shall proceed systematically to complete the same,
and shall endeavor, so far as practicable, to complete each
year an equal number of miles of improved roads in each of
the districts of the county. To this end, said commission may
make all preliminary investigations, and do all such prelim-
inary work as shall, in the judgment of such commission,
precede the actual establishment, construction and improve-
ment of said system of roads and highways; adopt and employ
such means, methods or system of road construction, improve-
ment and development as may, in its judgment, be best cal-
culated to promote the objects of this act; condemn, lay out,
open, establish, construct, extend, widen, straighten, grade and
improve, in any manner, any road embraced in the system
adopted by it as aforesaid, and establish or fix the width there-
of; cause to be prepared such surveys, plans, drawings or maps
as it may deem proper in the course of its work; acquire for
Baltimore county by agreement, gift, grant, purchase or con-
demnation proceedings as prescribed by section 251 to 256,
inclusive, or by sections 360 to 366, inclusive, of Article 23
of the Code of 1904, of the Public General Laws, any private
road or roads whatsoever, or private property or rights of
drainage for public use, whether belonging to private individ-
uals or to turnpike companies or other corporations, and includ-
ing any avenues, roads, lanes or thoroughfares, rights or inter-
ests, franchises, privileges or easements, that may be, in its'
judgment, desirable or necessary to complete said system of
roads or to carry on the purposes of this act; contract with
any person or persons, company or corporation, either private
or quasi-public, or municipal, in furtherance of the duties and
objects of this act or any of the same; employ all necessary
attorneys, consultants, agents, laborers, help and assistants,
skilled and unskilled, technical or professional, for the promo-
tion of any of the work with which it is charged hereunder;
make and enter into any and all contracts, agreements or stipu-
lations germane to the scope of its duties and powers under
this act, and purchase all machines, machinery, tools, imple-
ments, appliances, supplies, materials and working agencies
whatsoever which it may deem necessary for the full per-
formance and completion of any of the powers conferred and
duties imposed upon said commission, or which may be ger-
mane to the same or to the purposes and objects of this act.
The said commission, when about to construct or improve in
any manner any highway, shall give the Highways Commis-
sion of Baltimore County a certified copy of plans and specifi-
cations therefor, and a notice that said commission is about to