The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1899-02-01
NEW RULES FOR THE
USE OF SIDEWALKS
Privileges of Merchants and
Property Owners Defined.
Regulations Submitted TO the Com
misSiOnerS.
AutI,oritfe. DESTROYS of Ending Con-
trovcrsies i'm Regard TO street
Displays OF Merchandise.

draft of a series of regulations TO
govern the use of sidewalks and street
parking space in the District of Columbia
was yesterday submitted 10 the Commits
sioners by S. T. Thomas, their legal ad-
wiser.
The question OF permitting the sidewalks
and the parking space Of the city to be
occupied by the wares and goods of mer-
chants and other distractions has been
subject of much controversy since the pas
cage OF the original "footway' ordinance
Of the old corporation in 1856.
Since that time there have been com
plants by the score OF the obstruction OF
business streets with the merchandise Of
dealers, and numerous opinions have been
rendered by various attorneys relative to
the status of persons occupying such park
ing space and sidewalks for business pur-
poses.
Recently a question arose as TO whether
the act OF Congress approved July !, 1895
vesting in the board OF District Commits
sioners the control Of the street parking OF
the District, modified or repealed the or
dinance Of the corporation Of Washington
of 1856
The matter was referred TO the attorney
for an opinion, which was finally rendered
yesterday. The attorney ruled that the law
Of 1885 operates to repeal the old ordinance
lie also submitted copy Of series OF
regulations TO govern the use Of sidewalks.
These regulations read as follows:
Section J. That the street parking now made.
or which slau D. made. IN the streets and
avenues 81 The District Of Columbia, except such
streets portions thereof - are now or may
hereafter be dcnoninattd business streets by the
Commissioners Of the District, shah be under the
immediate care and keeping OF the OWners or Oc-
Gt who TtfaF
enter upon such parking, Tor the use OF Tie
same in such way as not 10 iuI!c the grass,
trees, ~ aiirulheTy, and such 0UucTs or occu-
PANTS may enclose the same with fences, to he
approved H. the Commissioners. upon the paw
nent Of fec q 81 for each lot or part Of a lot
Sec =. That IL shall lie unlawful Tor any per
son or persons 70 cut remove from the park
ing any trees except authorized hy the Dis.
trct Commissioners, To iniurc ary trees oI
shrubbcTy on any street parking now made OF
which shall hereafter Ice made, 10 dcfacc 81
iniuEe any fence enclosing The same, OF for any
person, not tie owner occupant oil the lot,
abuttins thereon, 10 uespass on said street
parking.
Sec g. That It sl.ai! not BE- lawful for any per.
son or persons 10 or occupy street parking
for aHy private purpose whatever. whether Tho
space st apart for steel parking be actually i'm
proved with sod. Srass. shrulbery not, without
written authority Of The Commissioners Of the
District q Columbia.
Sec 4.-That il shall not be lawful for any per
s1n or persons TO raise or lower tho grade II ans
'iarkins; OF 10 pave, cover. any portion there
OIL or 10 construct any steps, walls, copinps
fences or other structures therein for ssci pun
foscs, OF any other, except on the written au
thority 81 the Commissioners These regulations
shan not be 70 construed To prevent the sod
ding hcauiifying with flowers OF shrubbcry Q
the parking, or any portion thereof.
See. ). That any person violating any Of tn
provisions Of this article shall, on conviction
thereof in the Police Court Of the District b.
punished by fine Of not less than 81 nor NOR
than $40 for each and every offence, lbe rccoy
cred ia the Of the District as other fne
and penalties arc recovered
The opinion Of Attorney Thomas rela-