Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-06-30

CONSIDER THE LOCATION AND MANAGEMENT OF
ELECTRIC wIREs-PRoPosED REGULATION OF
STREET RAILROAD COMPANIES.
The conference report on the District appro-
priation bill for the fiscal year 1890 81 was re-
ported Saturday. As il passed the House the
District bill appropriated 1892. 934 The
Senate, when their turn came on the bill,
added amendments which increased the
amount to S6,095,7it The sum agreed upon
by the conference committee is o, 537, 49,
The conference report retains the provision
providing for the appointment of a superin-
fendent OF charities for the District who is to
rece1Se $4,000 per year and have practical
charge and oversight of all the official charities
In the District.
AN ELECTRICAL COMMISSION.
An important part Of the conference bill pro-
vides for an electrical commission. as follows:
The President of the United States is hereby
authorized to appoint board consisting of
three persons, one of whom shall be an army
engineer, skilled in electrical matters, one a
civil engineer Of known skill and experience
IN municipal engineering and one an expert
electrician OF high repute: Provided, that not
more than one member shall be q resident OF
the District OF Columbia: and no member
shall be in the employ OF any electrical company
or shall have any interest In the business or
securities Of such company, or be Interested in
any patent for any form OF condult or subway
or device pertaining thereto. The said hoard
shall consider the location, arrangement and
operation OF electric wires III the District of
Columbia. whether used or TO be used for cleo
tric lighting. transmission Of power, teie-
graphy. telephony or signaling, with a view to
securing soon practicable the construc-
ticB of a safe and convenient system of con-
duits or subways. the placing therein of all
Necessary electric wires along the streets, ave-
nues and other public spaces and the removal
of all unused overhead wires and their SUD-
ports. TO this end the board will. as soon as
practicable. and not later than December /,
1881. report to the President, who shall submit
the SAME to the first session Of the Fifty-second
Congress. as follows:
First. Recommendations for a complete
system Of conduit5 or subways, with all suit
able branches. connections and appurtenances
for the safe and efficient operation therein of
the necessary cables and conductors: such rec
concentrations shall be accompanied by maps.
detailed drawings and estimates OF cost
Second. Opinion as to whether the condnits
or subways should be built, owned and oper-
ated by private corporations or individuals,
subject to public control. or constructed and
maintained by public authority and leased to
companies or individuals. II the latter rec
concentration will be made to the terms and
conditions upon which such leases should be
executed.
Third Also recommendations concerning
the construction, location. operation and main
tenance OF underground cables and conduc-
tors carrying currents of different intensities
with view to promote the public safety and
to secure the most convenient and efficient use
of such cables and conductors and the appli-
ances connected herewith
Fourth. Recommendations as to the restric-
tons, if any. which should be imposed by law
upon the character and intensity of electric
currents conveyed by conductors situated over
or under the public streets, avenues aud spaces
and used for electric lighting. transmission of
power, Biography telephony or signaling.
Fifth. Recommendations respecting the regu-
lation of the arrangement and use Of author
lied overhead wires
To meet the expenses of the said board there
Is hereby appropriated the sum of $4,000 or
so much thereof a. may be necessary. provided
that the officer detailed from the corps Of engi-
neers shall not receive any salary except that
due TO his rank
REGULATING STREET RAILROADS.
One OF the sections in the bill relating to
street railways is interesting 1t provides that
any street railroad company in the District of
Columbia authorized to run cars drawn by
horses. which has changed or NAV change its
motive power on any of its lines now constructed
10 cable or electricity. change its rails in &C
cordlnce with the provisions of law, shall have
tiie night TO Issue and SELL al the market price
thereof. stock of said company to an amount
necessary to cover the cost of making said
Changes. the cost of said changes ana the
amount of said stock. together with the price
per share. to be fully set forth under the
oath OF the president of said company. and
filed with the Commissioners of the District
And any company availlng itself of the priv
nege herein granted shall, within eighteen
months. wholly dispense with horses motive
power on all portions of Its line. and substitute
therefor the power provided for in the act
making appropriations for the expenses Of the
government Of the District of Columbia an
proved March :. 1879. or other modern motive
power which shall be approved by the Com
mlssiOners OF the District OF Columbia not in
YolvIns tue use of overhead wires
That any street railroad company operating
It's lines III the District of Columbia, which
during the calendar year 1859 earned declared
and paid DIVIDENDS on its capital stock exceed-
ing 10 per centum upon the face thereof shall
hereafter sell 10 all persons eight tickets for
anu at the price OF p cents. each ticket to be
good Tor one continuous passage over its entire
hne and to entltie the holder thereof to passage
Oh any line Within the scope of this section
OTHER CHANGES.
The following are the paragraphs where
changes nave been made in the bill and the
appropriations as fixed by the conference COM
mittee:
Addition to Engineer Commissioners salary
" an army officer to make it equal to "a. 900 a
year strikes out clerk at $50 in executive
ONCE. ApproprIates 5000 for contingent ex-
penses, engineer department. Appropriates
~4'V " pay register OF Wills for preparing
papers for the enlistment of INDECENT bows in
ihe navy. ApprOpriates "a. 600 to enable the
assessor to prepare a book showing arrears of
taxes on real property. Strikes out amendmen mt
creating the office of deputy collector of taxes
aPproPriates 5Z,OOO for collection of overdue
personal taxes. Appropriates $500 for miscel-
'ancous expenses OF corOner's office Strikes
out authority for employing temporary over
seer IN water department. Appropriates
f!6o.OOO for permit work. Appropriates
s1V.oB Tor paving and curbing streets npon
payment III advance by the owners Of AUDITING
property Of OBe-haf of the cost Of same.
STREET IMPROVEMENTS.
For work on sundry streets and avenues,
ISL, s652.2OO is appropriated The Senate
amendment provided for S7i92OO and
House bill for SGOO, 900 The allotments are as
follows:
Georgetown. $50 000
NorShwest section. $3.50 600. which includes
the paving of 18Th street from L To Boundary
streets; I street from 18th to 10th streets; il
street from New Hampshire avenue to 10th
street, street from 18th to 18th streets; 18th
street from ID 20 streets; L street from 9th
70 10Th streets street from 22d to 24th stree Is
anu caroline street; grading and regulating
Boundary street from LIST to 4th streets and
sntilng away the parking and paving on New
iOrk avenue between 18th aud l4th streets
making a continuous roadway.
Southwest section. S75. 900 instead of SIS 600
Southeast section. :i2I 500. which excerpts b
street from LIT ~ I'd streets. and includes the
grading and regulating of 18th street from ID
to + streets.
Northeast section, sl96. 700 instead of
slJl. IO0. This includes the payInp of 81 street