ALBERT C. RITCHIE, GOVERNOR.                1365

preliminary investigations; and do all such preliminary work
as shall, in the judgment of such commission, precede the
actual establishment, construction and improvement 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, estab-
lish, 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 condem-
nation proceedings as prescribed by Sections 203 to 209, in-
clusive, or by Sections 331 to 337, inclusive of Article 23 of the
Annotated Code of Public General Laws, any private road or
roads whatsoever, or private property or rights of drainage for
public use, whether belonging to private individuals or to turn-
pike companies or other corporations, and including any ave-
nues, roads, lanes or thoroughfares, rights or interests, fran-
chises, privileges or easements, that may be, in its judgment,,
desirable or necessary to complete said system of roads to carry
Out the purpose of this Act; contract with any person or per-
sons, 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, con-
sultants, agents, laborers, help and assistants, skilled and un-
skilled, technical or professional, for the promotion of any of
the work with which it is charged hereunder, make and enter
into any and all contracts, agreements or stipulations germane'
to the scope of its duties and powers under this Act; and pur-
chase all machines, machinery, tools, implements, appliances,,
supplies, materials and working agencies whatsoever which it
may deem necessary for the full performance and completion
of any of the powers conferred and duties imposed upon said
commission, or which may be germane to the same or to the
purposes and objects of this Act, and where rights, easements
and franchises of the United Railways and Electric Company
of Baltimore, its successors and assigns, exist upon any turn-
pike or private right of way in the Annex which may be
improved hereunder, then said rights, easements and fran-
chises may (if the mayor and city council of Baltimore and
said railways company, its successors and assigns fail to agree-