1154 ARTICLE 89B.

copy of a map of the State showing plainly thereon the adopted system
of main roads to be improved under this Article, which map shall bear
the written approval of the said Commission. It may make all prelimi-
nary investigations; and do all such preliminary work as shall, in the
judgment of such Commission, precede the actual establishment, con-
struction and improvement 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 calculated to
promote the objects of this Article; condemn, lay out, open, establish,
construct, extend, widen, straighten, grade and improve, in any manner,
any main road, of the system, in any county of this State and establish
or fix the width thereof; cause to be prepared such surveys, plans, draw-
ings, or maps as it may deem proper in the course of its work; acquire for
the State of Maryland, by agreement, gift, grant, purchase or condem-
nation proceedings as prescribed by Sections 203 to 209, inclusive, or by
Sections 331 to 337, inclusive, of Article 23 of the Annotated Code of
Public General Laws, or as prescribed by the provisions of Article 33A
of the Annotated Code of Public General Laws, any private road or
roads whatsoever, or private property or rights of drainage for public
use, whether belonging to private individuals or to turnpike companies
or other corporations, and including any avenues, roads, lanes or thorough-
fares, rights or interests, franchises, privileges or easements, that may be,
in its judgment, desirable or necessary to complete said system of roads
to carry out the purpose of this Article; contract with any person or
persons, company or corporation, either private or quasi-public, or mu-
nicipal, in furtherance of the duties and objects of this Article or any
of the same; employ all necessary attorneys, consultants, agents, laborers
help and assistants, skilled and unskilled, technical or professional, for
the promotion of any of the work with which it is charged hereunder,
make and enter into any and all contracts, agreements or stipulations
germane to the scope of its duties and powers under this Article; and
purchase all machines, machinery, tools, implements, appliances, supplies,
materials and working agencies whatsoever which it may deem necessary
for the full performance and completion of any of the powers conferred
and duties imposed upon said Commission, or which may be germane to
the same or to the purposes and objects of this Article, and where rights,
easements and franchises of the United Railways and Electric Company
of Baltimore, its successors and assigns, exist upon any turnpike or private
right of way in the Annex which may be improved hereunder, then said
rights, easements and franchises may (if the Mayor and City Council of
Baltimore and said railways company, its successors and assigns fail to
agree upon terms of purchase or surrender) be condemned by the Mayor
and City Council of Baltimore under the provisions of Chapter 274 of
the Acts of 1904, and Chapter 566 of the Acts of 1906, or in the exercise
of its general powers of condemnation, the cost thereof to be defrayed out
of the loan provided for in said first mentioned Act, or out of the ordi-
nary proceeds of municipal taxation; provided, however, that the pro-