2342                                          LAWS OF MARYLAND                      [Ch. 687

such orders as may be just to the Commission and to the
owners of the property to be condemned and may require an
undertaking or other security to secure such owners
against any loss or damage by reason of the failure of
the Commission to accept and pay for the property, but
neither such undertaking or security nor any act or
obligation of the Commission shall impose any liability
upon the State except as may be paid from the funds
provided under the authority of this subheading.

146.

(b) Whenever a reasonable price cannot be agreed
upon, or whenever the owner is legally incapacitated or
is absent, unknown or unable to convey valid title, the
Commission is hereby authorized and empowered to acquire
by condemnation or by the exercise of the power of
eminent domain any lands, rights—of—way, property,
rights, franchises, easements and other property of any
person, copartnership, association, railroad, public
service, public utility or other corporation, or
municipality or political subdivision deemed necessary or
convenient for the construction or the efficient
operation of any project or necessary in the restoration
of public or private property damaged or destroyed. Any
such proceedings shall be conducted, and the compensation
to be paid shall be ascertained and paid, in the manner
provided by or referred to in § 8 or § 64 or § 9 of this
article or in Title 12 of THE SEAL PROPERTY Article [21]
of [this] THE Code, or in any of said sections or
amendments thereto, or by the Constitution or any other
law or laws of the State of Maryland then applicable
which relate to condemnation or to the exercise of the
power of eminent domain. Title to any property acquired
by the Commission shall be taken in the name of the
State. In any condemnation proceeding the court having
jurisdiction of the suit, action or proceeding may make
such orders as may be just to the Commission and to the
owners of the property to be condemned and may require an
undertaking or other security to secure such owners
against any loss or damage by reason of the failure of
the Commission to accept and pay for the property, but
neither such undertaking or security nor any act or
obligation of the Commission shall impose any liability
upon the State except as may be paid from the funds
provided under the authority of this subheading.

238.

The interest in any land authorized to be acquired
and maintained under this subtitle may be the fee simple,
or any lesser interest, as determined by the State Roads
Commission to be necessary to accomplish the purposes of
this subtitle. Such acquisition may be by purchase, gift