J. MILLARD TAWES, Governor                       1427

(d) To make and enter into all contracts or agreements, as the
Commission may determine, which are necessary or incidental to
the performance of its duties and to the execution of the powers

granted under this subtitle.

(D) SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 12 (A)
HEREOF AND SUBJECT TO THE REVIEW AND APPROVAL
IN WHOLE OR IN PART BY THE RESPECTIVE GOVERNING
BODIES OF THE COUNTIES, TO MAKE AND ENTER INTO ALL
CONTRACTS OR AGREEMENTS AS THE COMMISSION MAY
DETERMINE WHICH ARE NECESSARY OR INCIDENTAL TO
THE PERFORMANCE OF ITS DUTIES AND TO THE EXECU-
TION OF THE POWERS GRANTED UNDER THIS SUBTITLE.

(e)    To accept loans and grants of money or materials or property
at any time from the United States of America or the State of
Maryland or any agency or instrumentality thereof;

(f)   In the name of the Commission DISTRICT, and on its behalf,
to acquire, hold and dispose of its contract or other revenues:

(g)    To exercise any power usually possessed by private corpora-
tions, including the right to expend, solely from funds provided
under the authority of this subtitle, such funds as may be considered
by the Commission to be advisable or necessary in the performance
of its duties and functions;

(h) To employ engineers, attorneys, such other professional
experts and consultants and such general and clerical employees
as may be deemed necessary, and to prescribe their powers and
duties and fix their compensation. The Commission shall not estab-
lish any merit, retirement or pension systems and the County Council
of Montgomery County and the Board of County Commissioners
of Prince George's County are hereby authorized, subject to appro-
priate agreements with the Commission, to include employees of
the District in the retirement or pension system of either County,
as may be agreed upon;

(i) To do and perform any acts and things authorized by this
subtitle under, through, or by means of its own officers, agents and
employees, or by contracts with any persons; and

(j) To execute any and all instruments and do and perform any
and all acts or things necessary, convenient or desirable for the
purposes of the Commission DISTRICT or to carry out the powers
expressly given in this subtitle.

18. Planning Process and Procedure

(a) In performing the duties imposed upon it by Section 11 (a)
of this subtitle, the Commission shall use its best efforts to assure
that the mass transit plan adopted by the Authority shall be co-
ordinated with

(1)    other plans and programs affecting transportation in the
District, in order to achieve a balanced system of transportation
utilizing each mode to its best advantage; and

(2)    the general development plans for Montgomery and Prince
George's Counties and for all cities and towns located in such
Counties exercising planning powers.