Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-03-08
Bill Pending to Regulate Elec-
trio Wiring in the District.
ISSUE OF LICENSES
APPLICANTS MUST UNDERGO AN
EXAMINATION.
Provision Made for the Inspection Of
Buildings Under Construction
An Electrical Engineer.

The bill to regulate electrical wiring in
the District of Columbia. which has been
passed by the Senate, is now before the
House committee on the District of Column
bia.
This bill has been the subject of much
consideration on the part of the Senate
committee. and was very greatly changed
from the form in which it left the Com
mssioners.
Under Supervision of a Board.
1t places all work of electrical wiring in
the District under the supervision of a
board. with the exception of buildings be-
longing to the government and those used
for the generation of power by Incorporated
companies engaged in the production OF
electrical current for public USE
The Commissioners are authorized to ap-
pcint an electrical board, to be composed
OF three employees of the District govern
ment, at least two of whom Shall have
knowledge of electrical lighting and power,
and one of whom shall be the secretary OF
the board and act as chief inspector OF eiec-
trical work. The members shall be pald
$500 per anuum.
All wiring and apparatus for the utilZa-
ton and production of electric current ior
lighting, heating and power and its install
latton shall be subject to such tests as the
Commissioners may prescribe
Upon the recommendation of this board
the Commissioners are to make rules ana
regulations respecting the production, use
and control of electricity in the Distrlc'.
and to prescribe fees for the issuing OF
licenses and for the examination of cleo
trical wiring machinery, &c
The Issue of Licenses.
The board is to examine and issue
licenses to persons to engage in the blsl-
ness of electrical construction. Before OBJ
tanning the license an applicant is to file
bond with three satisfactory sureties
or of an approved surety company, for w.
COO to guarantee faithful compliance with
the regulations of the Commissioners
Applicants for license as electrical con-
tractors must not be less than tWenty-one
years of age. The fee for license shall
be So.
Penalties for Violating Law.
The employment of an unlicensed electri-
cal contractor is to be punished by fine
of from So to 500. or six months in the
workhouse. Persons engaging in electrical
work without a license are to be fined 50,
or confined in the workhouse not to ex-
coed one month.
Every person owning or operating an
electrical plant shall obtain a license. No
person is to engage in electrical corstruc-
ton or installation in the District without
a license unless he Is working under some
licensed person.
Inspection Of Electrical Work.
The chief inspector of electrical work and
his assistants are empowered, under the
direction of the Commissioners, to inspect
any building in course Of erection and dur
ing reasonable hours, upon application of
the owner or occupant, or upon complaint.
under oath, of any reputable citizen, to
examine any building where electrical cur
rent is produced or utilized for lighting.
heating or for power. for the purpose of
ascertaining violations of any of the pro-
visions of this law.
Failures to correct such violations of the
law are to be punished by lines Or confine-
ment in the workhOuse.
An Electrical Engineer.
In the place of the present electrical en-
gineer now carried on the per diem roll
there is 20 be established under the direc-
ton of the Commissioners of the District
of Columbia. the office of electrical engt-
neer at 81, 500 per annum, who is also to be
appointed by the Commissioners; also an
assistant electrical engineer, at 5000; two
electrical inspectors, at 81 200 per annum,
and a clerk at 81 200.