WM. PRESTON LANE, JR., GOVERNOR. 1151

SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Maryland,
That Section 178 of Article 23 of the Annotated Code of
Maryland, (1939 Edition), title "Corporations, " sub-title
"Gas and Electric Light Companies, " be and it is hereby
repealed and re-enacted, with amendments, to read as
follows:

178. Any gas light corporation formed under this Arti-
cle shall have full power to manufacture artificial gas, and
to sell, and to furnish such quantities of gas, both natural
and artificial, as may be required in any city, town or
county of this State, in which, or adjoining which the same
may be located, for lighting the streets, roads and public
or private buildings, or for other purposes, and such cor-
poration is hereby authorized and empowered to lay con-
ductors or pipes for the transmission of gas, both natural
and artificial, in any city, town or county, under the
streets, squares, lanes, alleys and roads thereof, paved or
unpaved, and to connect the same with any manufactory,
public or private building, lamp or other structure or ob-
ject, and with the place of supply, after first securing the
proper assent of the municipal authorities of said city or
town, or of the county commissioners of said county, under
such reasonable and proper regulations and conditions that
may be prescribed by them, subject, however, also to any
law or ordinance that may be prescribed by them, subject,
however, also to any law or ordinance that may be passed
by the municipal authorities of the city or town, or the
county commissioners having jurisdiction, for the filling
up and repaving of any street, lane or alley or road under
which the said pipes may be laid. Any corporation of this
or any other state which has heretofore been authorized
by ordinance passed by the municipal authorities of any
city or town, or by order of the proper authorities of any
county, to lay or maintain mains, conduits, pipes, or other
structures in streets, squares, lanes, alleys, roads or other
public highways and places for the transmission or supply
of natural gas or artificial gas, is hereby authorized and
empowered to use such mains, conduits, pipes, or other
structures, whether now in place or hereafter constructed,
for the transmission and supply of artificial gas or natural
gas, or a mixture of natural and artificial gas, provided the
consent of the Public Service Commission of Maryland be
obtained. Nothing herein shall be deemed to extend the
duration of any franchise granted by any city, town or
county, or to change the terms or conditions of any such
franchise except as herein expressly set forth.