766 LAWS OF MARYLAND. [CH. 383

nated by the Commission, shall have power to hold and make
investigations, inquiries and hearings concerning matters
covered by the provisions of this sub-title, and, for the pur-
poses of such investigations, inquiries or hearings, the Com-
mission shall have, and may exercise, all the powers and
authority conferred upon them by Section 15C of Article 1A
of the Annotated Code of Maryland (1935 Supplement).

55. ACQUISITION BY PURCHASE OR CONDEMNATION. With
respect to any building or structure existing at the time of
the passage of this sub-title, and which does not conform to
the regulations of this sub-title in the matter of height, the
Commission may acquire by purchase or condemnation such
estate or interest in any such building or structure and/or the
land upon which the same is erected or constructed as is
necessary to vest full and absolute ownership and control in
perpetuity of the space above such land to the extent neces-
sary to correct or abate the height of any such non-conforming
building or structure to meet the requirements and regula-
tions of this sub-title. Any and all such condemnation pro-
ceedings shall be instituted by the Commission in the name of
"The State of Maryland", and any and all such purchases shall
be made by the Commission in the name of "The State of Mary-
land" and all estate and interest so acquired by condemnation
or by purchase shall be forthwith transferred and conveyed by
the Commission to the county, municipality or other public
authority owning, controlling or operating the airport or land-
ing field affected, and said estate or interest shall thereupon
and thereafter attach to the ownership of said Airport or
Landing Field as an interest running with the land. Pro-
vided, however, that the Commission shall not exercise any
of the powers conferred upon it by this section unless re-
quested so to do in writing by the county, municipality or
other public authority immediately concerned and until such
county, municipality or other public authority shall have
agreed with the Commission to satisfy and pay the purchase
price or condemnation award as the same may be finally deter-
mined.

56. COSTS, CHARGES AND EXPENSES. Before instituting or
conducting any such investigation, inquiry or hearing, and
before instituting any action at law or in equity, as herein-
before provided and authorized, the Commission must effect
an agreement with the county, municipality or other public
authority owning, operating or controlling the public Airport
or Landing Field affected by any violation of this sub-title,
whereby such county, municipality or other public authority
shall undertake to assume and pay all costs, charges and ex-