4106 ARTICLE 17.

1929, ch. 169, sec. 21.

967. Neglect or non-user shall not work a forfeiture of this Charter.

1929, oh. 169, sec. 22.

968. The "Town of Takoma Park" is hereby declared to be the legal
successor of the "Mayor and Council of Takoma Park," and shall be en-
titled to, and is hereby vested with, all the property and rights of every
nature whatsoever, belonging to the "Mayor and Council of Takoma
Park." The Mayor, Councilmen, and all other officers of the town in office
at the date of the enactment of this Charter, shall hold their offices until
their successors are elected, or appointed and qualified as herein provided.
All ordinances, regulations and resolutions now in force, and not incon-
sistent with the provisions of this Charter shall remain in force until
altered or repealed by competent authority. No provisions of this Charter
shall affect any right, lien or liability subsisting at the date of its enact-
ment.

1929, ch. 169, sec. 23.

969. This Charter is hereby declared to be a public Act, and may be
used in evidence in all the courts of this State without proof.*

WATER, SEWERS AND LIGHT.

1898, ch. 125, sec. 3. 1912, ch. 790, sec. 629.

970. The council of said town is authorized and empowered to con-
struct, maintain and operate water works, a sewerage system and an elec-
tric lighting plant for said town, and to contract for, purchase in fee
simple or lease for a term of years, any real estate, right of way, spring,
brook or water course, or any personal property which they may deem
expedient for the purposes aforesaid. And said council is hereby vested
with all the rights and powers necessary for the construction, maintenance
and operation of said improvements in said town. If from any cause said
council shall be unable to agree with any owner of real estate, spring,
brook, water course or right of way, or of any interest or claim therein, or if
said owner be under any disability or incapacity to contract, or absent from
the State, or unknown, the said council is hereby granted the powers of
condemnation under the right of eminent domain, as provided in section
203, Article 23 of the Code of Public General Laws of Maryland, as fully
as if said section had been herein incorporated; and the manner and pro-
cedure in condemnation for the purposes of this act shall be in all par-
ticulars the same as is provided by section 203; provided, that if it shall
become necessary to condemn any property lying within the limits of said
town, and partly in Montgomery and partly in Prince George's County,
the proceedings in relation thereto shall be had in the former county.

*Sec. 3, ch. 169, 1929, repealed all laws and ordinances inconsistent therewith.