260 LAWS OF MARYLAND. [CH. 122

District of Columbia, and for the disposal of sewage and drain-
age from the Sanitary District; and to enter into any agree-
ment concerning any other matter necessary, advisable or expe-
dient for the proper construction, maintenance and operation
of the water supply, sewerage, drainage or refuse disposal sys-
tems under its control or those under the control of the Com-
missioners of the District of Columbia. Any contract or
agreement so entered into shall have the full force and effect
of a contract between the District of Columbia and the State
of Maryland.

SEC. 15. And be it further enacted, That whenever said
Commission shall have extended its general water supply or
sewerage system up to and is ready to connect with any mu-
nicipally owned or privately owned water supply or sewerage
system, or previously thereto if in its judgment such action is
expedient, and it deems it advisable and proper for the ade-
quate operation of the system under its jurisdiction to take
over the said water or sewerage system, it may purchase the
same upon such terms and conditions as may be agreed upon.
In the event of failure to agree as to the purchase price or con-
ditions of purchase of said water or sewerage system, whether
privately or municipally owned, the said Commission may
acquire the same by condemnation, in the same manner as it is
authorized to acquire land by this Act. In the condemnation
of privately owned water or sewerage systems the jury shall
take into consideration as a part of their award any payment,
contribution or tax paid by the respective lot owners or pur-
chasers toward the construction of said systems, and where
said system or systems have been built in connection with and
for the purpose of developing home sites, subdivisions or vil-
lages by any individual, firm or corporation and such system
or systems have been offered as an inducement for the pur-
chase of lots or land therein, the jury shall deduct from
the determined value of the plant or system such sum
as it may reasonably determine was added to the purchase
price of said land or lots in the sale thereof for the purpose
of constructing said system. Privately owned systems shall
be taken under said condemnation by said Commission free
and clear of all debts and liens, but said Commission shall
make a party defendant any person, firm or corporation hav-
ing any record lien or incumbrance against the same, and the
Circuit Court is hereby empowered and authorized to deter-
mine the respective amounts due the defendants, and from