Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-06-28
FORMULATING PLANS
Control of Production and
Use Of Electricity.
OFFICIALS CONFER
PROVISIONS OF LAW WHICH
TAKES EFFECT JULY 26.
Commissioners Given Authority to Is
sue Rules and Regulations for
Lighting and Heating.

Commissioner Macfarla nd, in charge of the
electrical department, has recently been
comforting with Electrical Engineer Walter
c. Allen relative to rules and regulations
to be adopted respecting the production,
use and control of electricity In the Dis
trict, as was provided for under the pro-
visions or the law passed by the last Con-
gress to regulate electrical wiring In the
District. This new law goes into operation
July 26, and it is proposed that the rules
governing the subject Of electrical wiring.
ETC., shall be decided upon by the Com
missioners within about week.
Mr.. Allen has conferred with individual
experts on the subject of electrical wiring
and other electrical matters, and has also
conferred with the officers and experts OF
the National Underwriters Association IL
is stated that the rules of the underwriters
association will be the basis of the rules
to be edopted by the Commissioners with
respect to the matter. 80
The law which goes into effect July &c
gives the Commissioners the authority,
which they have not had before, to MAKE
from time to time, such rules ana reeula-
tons respecting the production, use anu
control of electricity for light, heat and
power purposes in the District, not neon
sistent with existing laws, as in their ?udg
ment will afford safety and convenience
to the public The rules so promulgated
will have the effect and force or law.
The act, however, does not apply to the
power plants or buildings of incorporated
companies engaged in the production ana
distribution of electric current for pupnc
service or use This exception was mace
by Congress because it was considered that
the semi-public power plants are adequate
ly and properly equipped, and are in charge
of experts who will take the necessary pre-
cautions for safety and convenience.
Power of Inspection.
The District authorities are empowered
to inspect any building in course of erec-
ton and any building where electricity is
produced or utilized for lighting, heating or
for power, for tie purpose of ascertalnlng
violations of any Of the provisions OF the
law, and for the purpose Of correcting any
defects found in the electrical wiring, etc
A penalty of SIS for each offense is pre-
scribed for failure to comply with the re-
qurements Of the authorities, and In de-
fault of the fine the party convicted may
be confined in the workhouse for period
not exceeding month.
The new act makes it unlawful for any
person corporation to furnish electric
current to any building or premises the
wiring of which shall not have been in
spected and approved by the chief inspector
Of electrical work
Commissioner mcfarland is of the opin-
ion that the new electrical wiring law is
ton enacted for the District in many years.
Ever since he came into the office of Com
missioner Mr.. mcfarland has been work
ing to obtain the enactment of a law Civ
ing the Commissioners authority to regulate
this matter.
In the past, 1t is stated. there has been no
inspection of electrical wiring, except in the
local theaters and some of the older hotels
and apartment houses What has been &C
complfshed in this respect has been through
provisions in the building regulations and
by the cooperation of the proprietors Of
the buildings inspected.
The Commissioners give considerable
credit to the proprietors of theaters and
hotels who have complied with their
quests for safety precautions in the matter
of electrical wiring. although probably not
required to do the same by law.
In some instances the Commissioners
have been able to secure better conditions
by refusing licenses in hotels and theaters
until the electrical wiring had been placed
in proper condition.
Measure Of Safety.
1t is confidently believed that the securing
of the electrical wiring law will be a
great step forward in the matter of afford
ing safety for the public. Washington. 1t
is stated. will be ahead of all other cities
of the country in respect to this feature
when the law goes into effect.
For the purposes of inspection. Congress
provided in the new law for the appoint
ment Of two additional inspectors of cleo
trical wiring. These Observation-Disclosures
H. c. Eddy and H. l.. Thornton-who have
already been selected, will have charge of
the inspection work under the law. The
task before the department., it is stated.
is an immense one, inasmuch as there is
such a vast number of buildings to be in
spected by the authorities. All the private
power plants and all buildings in which
electricity is produced or utilized will have
to be inspected, and the undertaking, 1t