Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-06-12
STREET CAR TENDERS
One of the Last Bjllf Introduced in tn.
House Before Adjournment.
All Cars to BE Equipped and a Fine
for Failure-COmmtssiOn to De-
termine the Best Form.

One of the last bills introduced In the
House yesterday afternoon was one relat-
ing to the use of safety tenders on electric
or cable cars within the District. The bill
was intr oduced by Mr.. Richardson, by re-
quest, and was referred to the District of
Columbia committee. which will report 1t
at the next session. 1t provides:
'"rhat the Commissioners Of the District
of Columbia be, and hereby are, authorized
and directed to require each street railway
company or corporation which may be now
or hereafter operated by cable or electric
power within the District of Columbia to
prepare it's tracks and roadbed in such
manner as may be necessary to facilitate
the use of safety Tenders upon the cars
of such companies or corporations. and to
equip such cars with the best attainable
tenders for the protection and preservation
of life and limb. SAID tenders shall be
of sufficient capacity ard proper form to
sustain hold and retain, and carry any
person struck by said fender or car until
the car can be stoI ped, and the front part
thereof shall be made of such soft material
that it will give with the impact Of the
body of a person in which it may come in
contact. Said tenders shall be at least
five feet wide, and the front thereof shall
not be more than four inches from the
ground or center Of tracks. rails CT
tracks, when the car to which said fender
is attached is empty, or when 1t Is running
and oscillating. Said tenders must he so
constructed as to protect the tracks equally
as we'll on curves as on tangents. and shall
not be attached to any car in such manner
as t. extend into the street at curves in
the tracks.
'Thal If any of the said companies or
corporations shall neglect for six months.
after having been directed in writing by
the said Commissioners to prepare their
tracks and roadbed and equip the cars
operated by them as required by this act
to the satisfaction of the said Commission
ers, such company or corporation shall.
from and after the expiration of six months
from the date of the said notice. pay a
fine of s. per day for each car operated by
them to which a fender should have been
attached. The said fines shall be collected
in the same manner other fines due the
District of Columbia, and when collected
shall be paid into the treasury of the said
District.
That the Commissioners of the District
Of Columbia shall. Immediately after the
passage of this act, proceed to investigate
and determine upon the most effectual
fender or tenders to meet the requirements
Of this act, and to this end shall have
power to send for persons and papers, sub
pOena witnesses, examine experts and COM
pei railway corporations who use cars
propelled by electricity. cable or steam, and
officers and managers thereof, to permit
tenders to be attached to and used on said
cars for the purpose of public experiment
to aid said Commissioners In their Inves-
tgation and determination as herein au-
thoriZed.
That nothing contained in this act shall
operate to relieve any street railway COM
lines. ~
That this act shalt take effect from and
after its passage =