[94] Special Acts of Connecticut, 1907, No. 61. Section 7.
[95] Pa. Mutual Life Ins. Co. vs. Philadelphia, argued April 15, 1913. See Appendix, p. [275].
[96] Massachusetts Decisions, Vol. 204, pp. 606 ff.
[97] See Appendix for text, p. [279].
[98] The second attempt to pass such an amendment succeeded in 1913, but it is much more restricted in scope than that proposed in 1911. For text see Appendix, p. [248].
[99] Acts of 1912, Chapter 186.
[100] Wisconsin amendment to Article 11 of Constitution adopted November 4, 1912. See Appendix, p. [279]. Ohio amendment to Article 18, Appendix, p. [280].
[101] We refer to clear cases of the deliberate use of the method, especially in connection with street laying out. In the case of parks and parkways an entire lot is systematically condemned by certain boards whenever they find themselves compelled to take so costly a portion that the whole would be a better bargain. Even though a portion of the lot taken might lie entirely outside the line of any proposed construction a park commission could claim if pressed that its acquirement and planting were properly incidental to the park purpose of the improvement; and courts are very slow to upset an administrative decision on such a point. After acquirement the administrative authority can decide that the remnant is not needed by the public after all, and if properly authorized by the legislature may proceed to “abandon” or sell it for a suitable consideration.
In the case of the Burnt District Commission, created in 1904 (Acts of Maryland, 1904, Chapter 87), to deal with the emergency caused by the Baltimore fire, there was definite provision for the condemnation of entire lots in case a portion was needed for a public improvement and for the sale of the remnants at public auction. It is reported that this power was used in at least one case and that a remnant almost unusable alone was bought by a speculator at public auction and used in a manner calculated to extort blackmail from the owner next in the rear.
[102] Le Journal Officiel de l’Empire Français, June 18, 1868, January 13, 1869, November 28, 1869.