80 LAWS OF MARYLAND. [Ch. 32]

same, shall meet at the time and place mentioned in said
notice, and from time to time thereafter, as may be necessary,
to exercise the powers and perform the duties required of
them by said ordinance, and shall ascertain whether any and
what amount of value in damage will be caused to the owner
of any right or interest in any ground or improvements within
or adjacent to the City of Baltimore by such opening, extend-
ing, widening, straightening or closing for which, taking into
consideration all advantages and disadvantages, such owner
ought to be compensated; and the said commissioners having
ascertained the whole amount of damages for which compensa-
tion ought to be awarded, as aforesaid, and having added there-
to an estimate of the probable amount of expenses which will
be incurred by them in the performance of the duties required
of them as aforesaid; in which they may include a sum suffi-
cient in their judgment to cover the expenses and contingencies
of litigation, and administration expenses; shall proceed to
assess all the ground and improvements within and adjacent
to the city, the owners of which, as such, the said commis-
sioners shall decide and deem to be directly benefited by accom-
plishing the object authorized in the ordinance aforesaid; and
should the direct benefits, assessed as aforesaid, not be equal
to the damages and expenses incurred, the balance of said
expenses and damages shall be paid by the city register, and
provided for in the general levy, or out of funds derived from
loans, if properly applicable thereto.

177. As soon as the commissioners aforesaid shall have
completed the valuation of damages to be ascertained by them
as directed by this article, they shall cause a statement thereof
to be made out for the inspection of all persons desiring infor-
mation of its contents, and such statement, together with an
explanatory map or maps, shall contain a description of each
separate lot or parcel of ground deemed to have sustained dam-
ages, its dimensions, the name of the street, lane or alley on
which it bounds, the names of all persons supposed to have
any estate or interest in it, and the amount of damages as
valued by the commissioners; and if there be any house or
other improvements on it, necessary to be removed, in whole
or in part, such description thereof as the commissioners shall
deem necessary; and in like manner a description of each par-
cel of ground deemed by the commissioners to be benefited, the
name or names of such person or persons as may be supposed
to have any estate or interest therein, and the amount assessed
thereon for benefits; and the said commissioners shall cause a
notice to be published for four successive days in two daily