Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-04-24
NEW SUBWAY BILL.
Full Text of the Measure Introduced
in the House.

The new subway bill adopted by the spe-
cial subcommittee of the House District
committee. as reported in yesterdays Star,
is in full as follows: IN
That the sum of 100000 be. and the same
is hereby, appropriated, out Of the reve-
nues of the District OF Columbia, TO be ex-
pended, under the direction of the Commits
sioners Of the District of Columbia. in lay
ing and maintaining within the limits of
the District OF Columbia a system of I'M
derground conduits or subways, and tn
placing therein the wires used in the fire
department and police department service
and all other public wires. Each Of such
conduits shall be Of sufficient capacity to
contain all telephtre, telegraph, electric
light and other wires and cables now in or
over or which 1t may be necessary to lay in
the street in which it shall be laid, other
than those laid near the middle of the
street for street railroad purposes.
Sec. 2. That tire said Commissioners shall
have the right to lease at any time, at
fair and reasonable rental to any corpo-
or ducts in said subways for the necessary
use Of such corporation firm or person;
ana SAID Commissioners are also author
lied, when deemed necessary. to grant to
any corpora lion, firm or person occupying
any duct or ducts in said conduits rermis-
sion to erect necessary poles for distrbu-
ton purposes in any alley In said Dis
trict, which poles shall carry free of cost
or occupants of premises to make all nee
essary connections with such conduits
And said Commissioners are further au-
thorized to grant permission to any corpo-
ratlon 10 erect necessary poles for electric
light, power or telephone service in any
unpaVed street in the District of Colum bia
outside Of the city of Washington, under
such terms and regulations as thew NAV
prescribe: Provided, That all rentals de-
rived from leases made under authority Of
TINS act shall be ere lifted to the revenues
Of the District of Columbia.
Sec. 3. That the said Commissioners
whenever In their judgment 1t may be
necessary or desirable to do so, shall have
the right to use any manhole, unoccupied
chamber or duct in any conduit in any
public street, road, avenue, or alley in said
District, upon such fair and equitable terms
as may be agreed upon by the owner of
such manhole, unoccupied chamber, or
duct and said Commissioners; and in the
event said parties shall fail to agree upon
equitable terms, either party may apply by
petition to the Supreme Court of the Dis
trlct or Columbia. which shall Immediately
provide Tor proper notice to and hearing Of
an parties interested, and shall have power
TO determine the terms and conditions upon
winch the District of Columbia shall use
such manhole, unoccupied chamber, or
quot; and whenever it shall become neces-
sary, IN the opinion of the Commissioners
OIL the District of Columbia, to enlarge any
nanhoie belonging to any existing COM
pany to make it suitable for the joint occu-
pancy OF such company and said District,
It snail be wholly done at the cost Of said
District: Provided, That all damage done
TO public or private property in construct
ing subways or doing work under the au-
thorlty contained in this act shall be
promptly made good or paid for by the said
District: Provided further, That the said
District shall have the right to purchase,
said District.
Sec f. That from and after the passage
OF TINS act 1t shall be unlawful to lay any
CONDUIT or subway in any street, road, ave-
nue. or alley in the District of Columbia,
except under the authority contained in
TINS act and whenever a subway is laid by
SAD commissioners under authority of this
act all wires on or over the street where
sucn subway is laid shall be deemed illegal
anu snail be removed for placed in said sub
way or conduit within thirty days from the
completion Of such conduit, under a pen
any OF 80 per day for each and every pole
carrying an overhead wire that shall re-
main on such street, road or avenue after
the expiration of said thirty days, to be
recovered In the Police Court of the Dis
trict OF Columbia, in the name Of said dis
trlct' IN the same manner as other fines
ana penalties are recovered: Provided,
Ihat nothing in this act contained shall be
construed to legalize any existing conduits
sec D. That Congress reserves the right
TO alter, amend or repeal this act.