488 LAWS OF MARYLAND. [CH. 169

be deemed benefited by the proposed improvement, and be as-
sessed, and charged to pay compensation therefor, with a de-
scription of the property so benefited. The Mayor or member
of the Council designated as above provided, shall thereupon
appoint a day and place for impaneling the commissioners to
ascertain the compensation for the property to be taken, and
issue a notice under his hand and the seal of the town, which
shall give the names of the owners at the date of the ordinance
of the property to be taken and to be assessed for compensation;
the date and purpose of the ordinance; and shall state that
their property will be taken, or assessed for compensation for
the taking, for the purpose specified in the ordinance; and that
commissioners will be empowered to ascertain said compensa-
tion and make such assessment on the day and at the place
fixed by the Mayor or member of the Council, as the case
may be. Said notice shall be served by delivering to such
owner a copy thereof, or by leaving such copy for such
owner at his usual place of abode with some member of his
family over the age of fifteen years. Corporations shall be
served with such notice in like manner as with summons in
ordinary civil action. If service cannot be made on all or any
of the parties aforesaid within the town the return shall so
state and be prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein.
Whereupon said notice shall be published once a week for
two weeks before the day for the sitting of said commis-
sioners, in some newspaper having a general circulation in
said town; and affidavit of the publisher of said notice shall be
evidence of the fact. Service of the notice shall be made at
least three days before the commissioners meet. It shall
be sufficient to bring in the owners of and all persons claiming
any interest in the property affected by such proceedings, who
may be the owners or be interested therein at the time the ordi-
nance providing for the improvement takes effect: and all par-
ties claiming or holding through or under such owners or per-
sons interested, shall be bound by such proceedings.

(C) The commissioners shall ascertain the just compensa-
tion to be paid as follows:

First: For each piece of property taken, when the public
use thereof shall be such that the town must have exclusive
possession thereof, the actual, value of the property taken.

Second: For each, piece of property taken, when the public
use thereof may be such that the town need only have such