250 LAWS OF MARYLAND.

charged with the full duties to select, construct, improve and
maintain such a. general system of improved State roads and
highways, as can reasonably be expected to be completed with
the funds herein provided in and through all the counties of
this State. The said commission shall reach its conclusions
as to the selection of the roads to be improved on or before May
1, 1909, and shall on or before that date file with County Com-
missioners of each county for public inspection a certified copy
of a map of the State showing plainly thereon the adopted
system of main roads to be improved under this Act, which
map shall bear the. written approval of the said commission.
It may make all preliminary investigations; and do all such
preliminary work as shall, in the judgment of such commis-
sion, precede the actual establishment, construction and im-
provement of said system of roads and highways; adopt and
employ such means, methods or system of road construction,
improvement and development as may, in its judgment, be best
calculated to promote the objects of this Act; 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, drawings 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 condemnation proceedings as prescribed by section 251 to
256 inclusive, or by section 360 to 366 inclusive of article 23
of the Code of 1904, of the Public General Laws, any private
road or roads whatsoever, or private property or rights of
drainage for public use, whether belonging to private indi-
viduals or to turnpike companies or other corporations, and
including any avenues, roads, lanes or thoroughfares, rights
or interests, franchises, privileges or easements, that may be,
in its judgment, desirable or necessary to complete said system
of roads or to carry out the purposes of this Act; contract with
any person or persons, company or corporation, either private
or quasi-public, or municipal, in furtherance of the duties and
objects of this Act or any of the same; employ all necessary
attorneys, consultants, agents, laborers, help and assistants,
skilled and unskilled, technical or professional, for the promo-
tion of any of the work with which it is charged hereunder,
make and enter into any and all contracts, agreements or stipu-
lations germane to the scope of its duties and powers under
this Act; and purchase all machines, machinery, tools, imple-
ments, appliances, supplies, materials and working agencies
whatsoever "which it may deem necessary for the full perform-
ance and completion of any of the powers conferred and duties