Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-01-11
STREET RAILROADS.
A Model Bill as Prepared by the
Commissioners of the District.
TO PROTECT INTERESTS ON BOTH SIDES.
The Various Regulations That Are
Gathered Together in One Bill.
SERVANT AND THE SERVED.

SERV ANTS AND THE SERVED.
This IL the season for new railroad bills.
Each year shortly after Congress con-
venes bills Incorporating new street rail-
roads are introduced and referred to the
Commissioners Of the District for their
views and recommendations.
These measures are rarely satisfactory to
the Commissioners. They are loosely drawn
and the incorporators have practically their
own way. OF course all Of this is changed
when 1t reaches the Commissioners but it
takes valuable time and seriously embar-
raises the Commissioners in their routine
work.
Some time ago 1t was decided to draw a
model bill. leaving the route to be followed
to be filled in, but containing all reserva-
tons that would insure to the District its
full rights.
There were several meetings Of the board,
and the bill as drafted by Capt. Ffebeger
was taken up and discussed in sections.
Today 1t was finally completed, and as II
is OF considerable interest to the citizens OF
Washington. it is printed practically in
full.
The first section gives the name Of the
new corporation, and confers authority to
build q street railway in the District of
Columbia along the route specified.
The bill provides that whenever the road
way Of any street occupied by the railway
company is widened. one-half Of the cost
of widening shall be charged to the said
railway company. and collected from said
company in the same manner as the cost
of laying or repairing pavements lying be-
tween the exterior rails of the tracks of
street railways, and for distance of two
feet from and exterior to such track or
tracks en- each side thereof, is collectible
under the provisions of section of the act
entitled IAN act providing permanent
form of government for the District of Co.
lumbia, approved June IL, 1878"
When the route described comedies with
that of a country road of less width thar
sixty-six feet. the railway shall be con-
structed entirely outside the road.
That the said railway shall be constructed
In substantial and durable manner; and
all rails. electrical and mechanical appli-
ances. conduits, stations, ETC., shall be of
approved pattern.
That the said corporation shall at all
times keep the space beaween it's tracks and
rails and two feet exterior thereto, in such
condition as the Commissioners of the Dis
trtct of Columbia or their successors may
direct. and whenever any street occupied by
said railway is paved or repaired or other
wise improved, the said corporation shall
bear all the expense of improving the space
above described Should the said corpora
ton fail to comply with the orders OF the
Commissioners, the work shall be done by
the proper officials of the District of Column
bia and the amounts due from said corpora
ton shall be collected as provided by sec
ton five of the act entitled IAN act p-ovid-
ing permanent form of government for
the District Of Columbia, approved June
eleventh, eighteen hundred and seventy
eight"
No Overhead Wires.
That If the said railway be operated by
overhead wires. the corporation shall fur
nish and maintain such lights along its line
as the Commissioners Of the District of Co.
las HI
Of Columbia; but no overhead wires shall be
constructed or used within the limits of the
city of Washington.
That nothing In this act shall prevent the
District of Columbia at any time, at its
option. from altering the grade Of any
avenue. street, or highway occupied by said
railway, or from altering and improving
sewerage thereof: in such event it shall be
the duty OF said company to change its said
railway and the pavement so as to conform
to such grades and improvements as may
have been established.
The expense arising from changes in
sewer, gas or water pipes caused by
trenches or excavations in the city streets
for the use Of the company is to be borne
by said company.
The said company shall, before commenc-
ing work on said railroad on such street
deposit with the treasurer Of the United
States to the credit Of the Washington
aqueduct such sum as the Secretary of
War may consider necessary to defray all
the expenses that may be incurred by the
United States in connection with inspec-
ton Of the work of construction of said
railroad on such street. and In making
good any damages done by said company,
or its works. or by any of it's contracting
agents, to any of said mains, fixtures or
apparatus, and in completing, as the Sec
rotary of War may consider necessary, any
OF the work that the said company may
neglect or refuse to complete, and that the
for the safety of said MAINS fixtures or
apparatus. and the said company shall also
deposit as aforesaid such further sums for
SAID purposes at such times as the Secre-
tary of War may consider necessary
Provided, That the said sum shall be dis
bursed like other moneys appropriated for
the Washington aqueduct. and that what
ever shall remain of said deposits at the
end OF one year after the completion of said
railroad in such street shall be returned
10 SAID company on the order of the Sec
relary OF war, with an account of it's dis
bursement In detail: And provided also
That disbursements Of said deposits shall
except In cases of emergency, be made only
on the order of the Secretary of War The
exercise OF the rights by this act granted
are to terminate at the pleasure of the
Secretary of War in case of persistent neg
lect by said company, or by it's successors
to make the deposits or to comply with
any of the conditions requirements and
regulations aforesaid.
Authority is given for the erection of the
necessary buildings subject to the approval
Of the Commissioners.
That the said company may run public
carriages propelled by cable, electric. or
other mechanical power; but nothing in
this act shall allow the use of steam power
in locomotives.
Authority Is given to cross all streets
avenues and highways necessary. and for
the use OF tracks by companies in common
when the routes coincide. The time table
is to be approved by the Commissioners
and failure to comply with the conditions
shall be liable to a fine of $50, to be recover
ed In any court of competent Jurisdiction
at the suit Of the Commissioners, The lat
ter also may make regula lions as to rate
OF speed. mode of use of tracks and re-
moval OF Ice and snow. Violation of such
regulations shall make the corporation IL
able to said Commissioners for a penalty
not exceeding $500 ~
Subscriptions to the stock,
Thirty days after the passage of the act:
the incorporators are to meet Every sub
scriber shall pay at the time Of subscribing
five per centum in cash of the amount by
him subscribed to the treasurer appointed
by the corporation, or his subscription shall
be null and void.
That the government and direction of af-
fairs of the company shall be vested in a
board or directors, nine in number, the ma
1ority OF whom shall be residents of the
District bo bou he