Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-30
COURT ISSUES RULE
coHrEnTIoH IN WHICH DIS
TRIcT rs MADE DEFENDANT.

Golden & Company. local corporation,
through former Cooperation Counsel s. T.
Thomas and Attorney James B. Horigan.
today filed bill in the Supreme Court of
the District asking that the District Com
missioners and Walter C. Allen, the cleo
trica1 engineer for the District. be re-
strained and enjoined from interfering in
any manner with the electric lamps ex-
listing in front of certain commission
houses on Louisiana avenue between 9Th
and 10th streets northwest.
1t is explained in the bill that the COM
plainant company was Incorporated for
the purpose of carrying on the produce
and commission business, to furnish mo-
tive power. steam heat electric light. etc.
that the complainant occupies premises
922 to 92S Louisiana avenue, fronting on
q space between the sidewalk and building
line, which for more than twenty years,
with the assent of the municipal authori-
ties, has been appropriated to private bus
mess purposes and has been, and now is,
covered with sheds and awnings and occu-
pied with benches and stalls for the sale
Of meats and provisions in connection
with the business of the occupants of the
stores fronting on the avenue mentioned
Date Of Installation.
The court is further informed by the
complainant that 1t generates on it's prem
Uses electric current for lighting and
power purposes, and that its electric light
plant was installed prior to April, 1904, ac-
cording to regulations then existing. 1t is
stated that the complainant has entered
into contracts with several commission
merchants on Louisiana avenue to furnish
them electric current for lighting their
stores and for lighting lamps in front Of
their premises, under the sheds and avn
ing within the space mentioned. the lamps
being maintained, 1t is declared, for the
purpose Of lighting the space underneath
the sheds in front of the places of busi-
ness of the commission men and for the
convenience of the occupants Of the stores
1t is alleged by the complainant that the
electrical engineer has threatened to cause
the lamps in front Of the commission houses
in question to be disconnected and the cur
rent supplying them to be cut OF. The
complainant denies the right OF the au-
thorities to carry this threat Into execution.
The complainant asserts that the act of
Congress relating to electrical wiring In the
District gives the electrical engineer mo
Jurisdiction or authority over the lamps
mentioned. or over the electrical wiring In
private premises, except to inspect and APP
prove them and that the wiring is in
proper and safe condition"
Act of Congress Cited.
The act of Congress applicable to the case,
It is stated. declares that it shall be un-
lawful for any person, company or corpo-
ration generating current for electric light,
heat or power In the District of Columbia
to connect its system and furnish current
for electrical purposes to any building or
premises the wiring of which shall not have
been inspected and approved by the chief
inspector of electrical works."
1t Is stated that the electrical engineer
has failed to inspect and approve the cleo
trical wiring installed in the premises of
the commission houses, and the Golden
company contends that this official is not
authorized under the circumstances to in
terfere with the wiring until after he has
inspected if and found 1t to be in an unsafe
condition.
On the presentation of the bill of COM
plant to Justice Gould by Attorney Thomas
the court Issued rule against the Com
missioners and Mr.. Allen requiring them
to chow cause Tuesday, August Z, why the
injunction asked should not be granted.