49-30-4. Powers of corporation--Survey for proposed pole line--Entry upon property.
Every corporation formed under the provisions of this chapter, and every corporation formed under the laws of any other state or territory or of the United States, owning or operating lines of telegraph or telephone within this state, shall have power to cause such examination and surveys for its proposed lines of telegraph or telephone to be made as may be necessary to the selection of the most advantageous routes, and for such purposes, by its officers or agents and servants, to enter upon the lands or waters of any person, but subject to responsibility for all damage that shall be done thereto.
Source: SDC 1939, §52.1311 (1).