Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-04-19
ON ELECTRIC WIRING
H. 0sIIiugsr'Si Explanation - Pro.
Visions Of thSV1Esasurs ~
rt,ras..d.

In the 6cn8tS tUQ6y 04I. NdlAlu8OE OrS0
that tho House substitute for Senate bill 8.
to regulate electric wiring In the District. be
approved BY the Senate,
The bill was passed by the Senate March
s. ana in the HouDs new bin was sub
stituted for It. Tho entire House provision
was agreed TO by the Senate, 10 that 1t
win Mt once be sent to tho President for
his approval.
Senator Hale asked to have the bill ex-
planned, and Senator Galiinger said the bill
a. passed by the House was shorter and
reduces the clerical force required to put
1t in effect. He thought It was an Inn
provement on the Senate BILL
Senator Hale wanted to know whether
the bill interferes with placing the wires of
electric roads underground.
Mr.. Gallinger replied that 1t did not.
There Is not the least danger" he said.
"of the District committee doing anything
to permit more overhead wires. We have,
on the contrary, only recently reported
bill requiring the telegraph companies to
place their wires under ground"
II want to see the day." said Mr.. Hale,
when every overhead wire in this city Is
placed undet ground. whatever may be the
use to which 1t Is put
Mr.. Gallinger replied that he could safely
assure the senator that day was near at
hand.
The Bill as Passed.
The bill as now passed by both houses
provides that the Commissioners shall
have power to make rules and regula-
tons respecting the production, use and
control of electricity for light, heat and
power purposes in the District, not in
consistent with existing laws, as In their
judgment will afford safety and conven-
fence to the public The Commissioners
are authorized to prescribe such fees for
the examination Of the electrical wiring,
machinery and appliances in buildings as
they may deem proper, to be paid to the
collector of taxes. and any such rules and
regulations shall after PRONUNCIATION
have the effect and force of law. That
! nothing in the act shall apply to the
power plants or buildings of incorpor-
ated companies engaged in the produce
ton and distribution of electric current
for public service or use.
The electrical engineer who shall be
chief inspector of electrical work and his
under the direction of the Commission
ers to inspect anw public building in
course of erection and during reasonable
hours to enter into and examine any
| building where electrical current is pro-
duced or utilized for lighting, heating or
for power. for the purpose of ascertain
ing violations of any of the provisions Of
this act. Upon findings any devices defec-
tive or dangerous he shall deliver a written
notice of any violation of the act or regula-
tons of the Commissioners, to the con-
structing contractor. owner or agent of any
building directing him or them to remove or
amend the same fwitliin period to be
fixed in the notice In cease of neglect or
refusal on the part of the party so noti-
fled to remove oriaamend the same within
the time and in the manner prescribed
by the chief Inspector of electrical work.
and approved by the, Commissioners the
party so offending shall pay a fine of
not more than $50 for each days failure
or neglect to remove or amend the same
after being notified In default of pay
ment of such fine. the person shall be
confined in The work house for period
not exceeding one month. ALI prosecu-
tons under this act shall be in the Police
Court of the District n
In the place of the present electrical en-
gineer now carried Ola the per diem roll
there is established, under the direction of
the Commissioners. the Office of electrical
engineer. and the Commissioners are here
by authorized tands directed to- appoint an
eieetricaf engineer at aasalary of $500 per
ahnum. The electrical engineer shall be an
expert electrician. possessing a thorough
knowledge of the most modern methods for
the production, use and control of cleo
tf1effy and electrical appliances, construc-
ton, wiring and insulation. as well as such
executive ability and adapta bility to Office
work as is requisite for the efficient man
agement of the office. The Commissioners
are authorized and directed to appoint two
electrical inspectors to assist in the work re-
quired by the authority of this act at q
salary of $1,2t0 per annum each, who shall
perform such clerical duties as may be re-
quired by the Commissioners.
Ii shall be unlawful for any person, COM
pany or corporation generating current for
electric light. heat or power in the District
to connect its system and furnish current
for electrical purposes to any building or
premises. the wiring of which shall not
nave Been inspected and approved by the
chief inspector of electrical work.
Any person, company or corporation vio-
lating the provisions of this section shall
upon written notice from the chief inspector
OF electrical work to do so, Immediately re-
move the connection and cut off the current,
and shall not again supply current until
authorized by the inspector. For failure to
comply with such notice the offending per-
son, company or corporation shall be fined
not less than So nor more than 500 for
every days failure or neglect to remove the
connection and to cut off the current
The chief inspector of electrical work Is
authorized and empowered, with the ap-
prevail of the Commissioners. to cause the
connection to be removed and the current
cut off upon failure of the offending person
company. or corporation, and to refuse to
permit the connection to be replaced and
the current to be used until the wiring shall