340 LAWS OF MARYLAND. [CH. 185

cipal a certain bond with the United States Fidelity and
Guaranty Company as surety, in the penalty of $50, 000.,
running to the United States of America in connection with
the erection of the Bridge across the South branch of the
Patapsco river.

WHEREAS the State Roads Commission of the State of
Maryland, in constructing the bridge across the south branch
of the Patapsco River, desired to build a girder bridge in-
stead of a draw span, at a large saving in the cost of said
bridge;

AND WHEREAS the Secretary of War of the United States
of America gave permission to the said State Roads Commis-
sion to construct and maintain a bridge provided that the said
State Roads Commission executed a corporate surety bond in
the penalty of Fifty Thousand ($50, 000) dollars conditioned
that a draw span should be placed in said bridge wherever
and in such manner as the Secretary of War might hereafter
direct, and to make such other changes as might be required,
all within the time specified in such order or orders of the
said Secretary of War;

AND WHEREAS the said State Roads Commission of Mary-
land, acting upon said authority and permission, reply to the
United States Fidelity and Guaranty Company for a bond
conditioned as aforesaid and in the penalty aforesaid;

AND WHEREAS, the said United States Fidelity and Guar-
anty Company agreed to execute as surety such bond and did
in fact execute such bond upon condition that the said State
Roads Commission of the State of Maryland sign an agree-
ment of indemnity saving the said United States Fidelity and
Guaranty Company harmless against all loss, cost, damage,
charge and expense that might accrue to. it by reason of any
breach or default of under said bond, which said agreement
of indemnity the said State Roads Commission of the State
of Maryland did afterwards execute;

AND WHEREAS, at the time of the execution of said agree-
ment of indemnity and said bond the legal authority of the
said State Roads Commission of the State of Maryland to
execute said agreement of indemnity and bond was questioned,
and it was thereupon agreed that application should be made
to the General Assembly of Maryland at its January Session,
1916 for the passage of an Act ratifying and confirming the