Such limited local authorities may prove serviceable auxiliaries to the main plan, but their powers are inadequate to the execution of the more general features of metropolitan development; nor would it be just to impose on local tax-payers the entire burden of such improvements as the acquisition of extensive areas of park or woodland chiefly for the resort and recreation of the people of the city. These enterprises require the co-operation of a central body of more extensive powers and larger resources. In looking for instrumentalities through which such plans might be executed, the park legislation of Massachusetts claims first attention. The Metropolitan Park Commission, under whose auspices the city and suburban park system of Boston has been developed, was created by an act of the legislature of Massachusetts, approved June 3, 1893.[38] It consists of five members, appointed by the governor, and exercises jurisdiction over Boston and various other cities and towns which constitute the Metropolitan Parks District. The board has power to acquire and maintain open spaces, taking in fee or otherwise any land necessary for that purpose, and acting so far as may be in consultation with local boards. Any open space in a city or town may be turned over to the board by the local authorities. Subsequent acts empower the commission to construct roadways and boulevards, to purchase or condemn land for that purpose, and to assess property specially benefited thereby. The commissioners are authorized to abandon land which they have acquired, thereby revesting title in the original owner and reducing the damages which he might otherwise justly claim. Authority is also given to sell, at public or private sale, any lands or rights acquired and paid for. Property taken by the commission vests in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and is to be paid for by state bonds extending over a term of not more than forty years. Taxes to meet the bonds are, however, apportioned among the cities and towns within the district, and a reapportionment is to be made once in five years. By an Act of March 17, 1903, the commission and the park officers in any city or town were empowered to make reasonable rules and regulations respecting the display of signs or advertisements visible from public parks and parkways; but the Supreme Court, in the case of _Commonwealth_ v. _Boston Advertising Co._, 188 Mass. 348, held that this statute did not and could not confer upon the public authorities any power to prohibit the owners of land from leasing it for advertising purposes, unless just compensation were provided.