HERBERT R. O'CONOR, GOVERNOR. 1247

WHEREAS, it has always been the legislative intent and
understanding that all Metropolitan District assessments
and charges are and have been a superior lien upon prop-
erty chargeable therewith, excepting only the priority of
taxes; and,

WHEREAS, certain questions have arisen as to the con-
struction of the provisions of Chapter 539 of the Acts of
1924 and amendments thereto, relating to the priority of
Metropolitan District assessments and charges as against
private liens, such as mortgages, created prior to April 9,
1924; therefore

SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of
Maryland, That Section 335* of the Code of Public Local
Laws of Maryland (1930 Edition), title "Baltimore Coun-
ty", sub-title "Health and Sanitation" (Metropolitan Dis-
trict), as the same was repealed and re-enacted by Chapter
463 of the Acts of 1939, be, and the same is hereby re-
pealed and re-enacted with amendments to read as follows:

335. For the purpose of paying the interest and pro-
viding the sinking fund for the bonds issued by the County
Commissioners, as hereinafter provided for the water sup-
ply, sewerage and drainage systems to be constructed, pur-
chased or established under this Act, the Commissioners
are hereby empowered and directed to establish a proper
and reasonable charge for connection with said water sup-
ply, sewerage and drainage systems so to be constructed,
purchased or established as aforesaid, and to fix an annual
assessment on all properties, improved and unimproved,
binding upon a street, road, lane, alley or right-of-way
in which a water main, sewer or drain has been built. The
said annual assessment shall be made upon the front foot
basis, and the first payment shall be collectible during the
year that the construction is started on the water supply,
sewerage or drainage system, or in which the systems are
purchased or acquired. And interest at the rate of one-
half of 1% per month shall be charged on all said annual
assessments remaining unpaid on June first after said
annual assessment shall be due and payable. The Com-
missioners, for the purpose of assessing benefits, shall
divide all properties fronting upon a street, lane or alley,
in which a water pipe or sanitary sewer is to be laid, into
four classes, namely; First, Agricultural; second, Small
Acreage; third, Industrial or Business, and fourth, Sub-
division Property, and the benefit charges shall be fixed
and levied in accordance with the above classification; pro-
vided, however, that no front foot benefit charge shall be

* Article 3 evidently omitted through inadvertence.