Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1916-10-13
Act No. 68

City Affairs. Substitute for House
Bill No. 178. by Mr.. Barrett.
A JOINT RESOLUTION.
Proposing an amendment to the Con-
stitution Of the State of Louisiana,
granting to the City OF New Orleans
power to construct, equip. maintain
and operate. through and by the
Public Belt Railroad Commission OF
tunnels across the Mississippi River
at or near New Orleans, and to do
various acts incidental thereto and
to the operation generally Of the
Public Belt Railroad system Of the
City Of New Orleans. and providing
for the submission of said amend
ment to the electors Of the State for
their approval or rejection.
Section 1. Be II enacted by tho
General Assembly Of the State of Lou
isiana. two-thirds of all the members
elected to each House concurring. that
subject to the ratification and approx
al Of the electors of the State, the
Constitution Of the State be amended
by Incorporating therein the following
provisions. to-wit
(1) The City Of New Orleans is
hereby granted plenary and exclusive
power. by such means and methods as
1t may deem meet and proper not In
conflict with the provisions Of this
amendment;
(a) To construct. equip. maintain
and operate across the Mississippi Riv-
err at or near New Orleans. bridges
and tunnels for railroad and highway
use. together with all approaches. rail-
road and highway connections. roads.
roadways. railroads. terminals. water
craft and other structures. improve
ments, facilities and accessories there
unto appertaining:
(b) To acquire. by appropriation or
use or possession of any lands or other
things necessary for the construction.
equipment. maintenance or operation
of any such bridge or tunnel and ap-
purtenances: and
(c) To lay out open. close. alter or
change the route of any roadway. nom
navigable stream or drain over which
the approaches Of any such bridge or
Public Belt Railroad system of the
City Of New Orleans shall extend.
(2) The City of New Orleans Is
further hereby granted power. for the
purpose of constructing any such
bridges or tunnels and appurtenances.
| lands or other things necessary there
| to, to issue its obligations in such
forms. numbers, denominations and
amounts. at such times and prices and
upon such terms and conditions as to
maturities, rates and payment Of in
terest and final redemption as the said
| City of New Orleans may deem advis-
able. subject to the following limita-
| lions:
(a) Except as may be herein other
| wise provided, all such obligations
shall be secured solely and only by
liens and mortgages upon and against
| such bridges or tunnels and appurte-
nances. and the lands or other things
necessary thereto. and by . lien and
| pledge upon the net revenues derived
| from the operation thereof. and shall
be paid therefrcm and from no other
source or sources whatsoever. except
J cffn lot cd nd
by any tax or assessment or levy
upon any taxable property in the City
| of New Orleans, nor out OF any other
| funds, revenues or things Of value of
| said city; the true intent and meaning
hereof being that save and except to
the extent. out Of the funds. and in the
! manner herein stated. the City Of New
Orleans shall never be liable for, nor
shall 1t assume. any debt. liability or
obligation incurred or created In the
execution Of the provisions hereof.
CD During the period of construc-
ton Of such bridges and tunnels and
appurtenances, and during such times
as the revenues from the operation
vide for the interest on. and for the re-
demption Of. any and all of the OBJ
legations hereinabove authorized to
be issued. any and all of such obliga.
lions falling due shall be redeemed and
all accrued interest shall be paid
from the net revenues Of the Public
Belt Railroad system Of the City of
New Orleans to such extent as may be
ner prescribed by Act No. 17s of the
General Assembly of the State Of Lou
isiana. session of 1908. for the pay
ment Of the principal and interest OF
any bonds authorized by said Act No.
i1s Of isos. whether heretofore OF
go Any bridges or tunnels and APP
purtenances thereof constructed.
equipped. maintained or operated by
the City Of New Orleans under the au-
other property acquired by the
City of New Orleans under the pro-
visions Of this amendment. shall form
and are hereby constituted an
integral part Of the Public Bel!
may hereafter exist. which said sys-
tenn the City Of New Orleans Is here
by authorized to extend and operate
in and beyond the Parish of Orleans
and the Public Belt Railroad Commits
hereby vested with the same powers
with respect to the Public Belt Rail
road system as well as with respect te
such bridges. tunnels. appurtenances
struction. operation and development
as are now vested in said Commission
, by Act No. 179 Of the General Assem-
; bly, of the State Of Louisiana. session
, of 1908. with respect to the Public
Belt Railroad as presently establish
ed.
. The Public Belt Railroad Commits
sion is hereby authorized withou
) prior authority or approval therefor b!
I the Commission Council of the City o
, New Orleans. to expend out Of any o
, its revenues and for the purpose o
constructing such bridges or tunnel
? a sum not to exceed twenty-five thou
8 sand dollars on any one contract. pro
vided. however. that all disbursement
= beyond said sum shall be made onl,
. lied and approved by the Commission
Council Of the City Of New Orleans.
5 ca The Public Belt Railroad Com
Y mission. under such terms and condi
4 have the right to switch. handle o
q | convey, in continuous movement, 70
Q any railroad. trains over such bridge
: or through such tunnels and over tn
= main lines OF the Public Belt Railroa
Q to the depot or yard of said railroad. o
= to any union passenger depot or unio
r terminal of the Public Belt Railroa
e system; 1t being understood that tn
: sole purpose Of this provision IL to IA
cilitate the movement Of trains enter
o east or west bank of the Mississippi
. River. Under no condition can tn
, Public Belt Railroad Commissio
grant switching privileges to an
railroad over the Public Belt Railroa
system.
60 Any bridge or tunnel construct
ed and any Appurtenances thereof, an
any lands or other things necessar
thereto. acquired or constructed unde
the provisions OF this amendment, an
sny and all property leased to or b
the City Of New Orleans for the puI
pose Of this amendment, during u
life Of the lease. shall be exempt froI
every form Of taxation. special assess
ment or license. and shall In no mar
ner be hypothecated. leased or alier