746 ARTICLE 3.

1914, ch. 465, sec. 3. B. Co. C. (1916), sec. 519. 1928, sec. 609.

609. When the word or words or descriptive phrase "Board," "Com-
missioners" or "County Commissioners" are used in this Act, such phrase,
word or words shall be construed and taken to mean and refer to the
Board of County Commissioners of Baltimore County.

1914, ch. 465, sec. 4. B. Co. C. (1916), sec. 520. 1928, sec. 610.

610. All Acts and parts of Acts, laws and parts of laws inconsistent
herewith be and the same are hereby repealed to the extent of such incon-
sistency.

1902, ch. 368. B. Co. C. (1908), sec. 364. 1914, ch. 465, sec. 363.
B. Co. C. (1916), sec. 521. 1928, sec. 611.

611. No franchise or right in relation to any highway, avenue, street,
lane or alley, either on, above or below the surface of the same, shall be
granted by the County Commissioners of Baltimore County until the
following provisions shall be complied with: (1) The application for
such franchise or right shall be published by the applicant once a week
for three successive weeks in two newspapers published in Baltimore
County and having general circulation, setting forth the location, charac-
ter and extent of the franchise sought; (2) upon the first publication of
said notice it shall be the duty of the said County Commissioners to make
diligent inquiry as to the money value of the franchise or right asked to
be granted, and the adequacy of the compensation proposed to be paid
therefor; (3) if any objection is made to the granting of the franchise
asked by any person or persons interested therein, either as taxpayers or
having property rights involved, and filed in writing with the secretary
to the Board before the expiration of said notice, opportunity shall be'
granted and a time set for the hearing of such objections.
Con. Gas Co. v. Balto. Co., 99 Md. 403.

1902, ch. 368. B. Co. C. (1908), sec. 365. 1916, sec. 522. 1928, sec. 612.

612. If no valid objection is made to the granting of such franchise
and it appears to the said Board that the granting of the same is expe-
dient and proper, the said Board shall have authority to grant such fran-
chise for such money compensation as it shall upon inquiry determine
proper and as may be prescribed by said Board for a period not longer
than twenty-five years, but such grant may, at the option of the said
Board, provide for giving the grantee the right, on a fair revaluation,
including in such revaluation the value, if any, derived from the said
franchise or right, to renewals not exceeding in the aggregate twenty-
five years. Every grant of any such franchise or right shall make pro-
visions, by way of forfeiture or otherwise of the grant, for the purpose of
compelling compliance with the terms thereof and to secure efficiency of
public service at reasonable rates and the maintenance of the property in
good condition throughout the full term of the grant. The grant shall
also specify the mode of determining the valuation and revaluation which
may be provided for therein and the time limitation in which there shall