St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1916-10-07
Act No. IS

city Affairs. Substitute for House
Bill No. ITS. 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 l.. Be 1t enacted by the
General Assembly of the State of Lou
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:
az. The city of New Orleans is
hereby granted plenary and exclusive
power. by such n.eans and methods as
it may deem meet and roper not in
conflict with the provisions of this
amendment;
(a) To construct, equip. maintain
and operate across the Mississippi Riv-
er, 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
otherwise, the property. ownership.
use or possession of any lands or other
things necessary for the construction.
- tor
of any such bridge or tunnel and ap-
~purtenances; and
(c) To lay out. open. close. alter or
change the route of an roadway. nom
navigable stream or drain over which
the approaches of any such bridge or
tunnel, or over which any part OF the
Public Belt Railroad system of the
City of New Orleans shall extend.
f2) The City of New Orleans is
further hereby granted power. for the
purpose OF constructing any such
bridges or tunnels and appurtenances,
and for the purpose of acquiring the
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
able. subject to the following ltmita-
lions:
la) 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 OIL tunne and appurte-
nances, and the lands or other things
necessary thereto. and by q lien and
pledge upon the net revenues derived
from the operation thereof. and hall
be paid therefrom and from no other
source or sources whatsoever, except
as otherwise stipulated herein, n not
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. 10
shall IL assume, any debt. liability or
! obligation incurred or created In the
execution of the provisions hereof.
tb1 During the period OF construc-
ton of such bridges and tunnels n
appurtenances, and during such times
as the from the operation
thereof shall not be sufficient to pro-
demption of. any and all of the OBJ
legations h~ereinabove authorized to
be issued. any and all Of such obliga-
tions 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
required. after providing in the man
ner prescribed by Act No. 179 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.
l79 of 1905. whether heretofore or
hereafter Issued.
(3} Amy bridges or tunnels and app
purtenances thereof constructed.
equipped. maintained or operated by
the City of New Orleans under the au-
! thority hereby conferred. and all
City of New Orleans under the pro-
visions of this amendment. shalt form
and are hereby constituted an
integral part of the Public Belt
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;
sion of the City of New Orleans is
hereby vested with the same power
with respect to the Public Belt Rail-
0 system as well as with respect TO
such bridges, tunnels, a-ppurteuances
and property, their acquisition, con-
struction, operation and development
as are now vested In sal 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 without
prior authority or approval therefor by
the Commission Council OF the City OF
New Orleans. to expend out Of any OF
its revenues and for the urpos OF
constructing such bridges or tunnels
a sum not to exceed twenty-five thou
sand dollars on n one contract. pro-
vided, however, that all disbursement
beyond said sun shall be made only
after they shall have been first author
lied and approved by the Commission
Council of the City OF New Orleans.
"a The Public Belt Railroad Com
mission, under such terms and condi-
lions as it nay deem advisable. shall
have the right to switch. handle OIL
! convey. In continuous movement. for
> railroad. trains over auch bridges
or through such tunnels and over the
main lines of the Public Belt railroad
to the depot or yard OF said railroad. Oh
to any union passenger depot or unior
: terminal OF the Public Belt Railroad
system; 1t being understood that this
sole purpose of this provision Is 10 IA.
~cilitate the movement OF trains enter
. ing the City of New Orleans Of tht
. east or west bank Of the Mississippi
River. Under no condition can ths
Public Belt Railroad Commission
grant switching privileges to an,
railroad over the Public Belt Railroad
system.
t5) ANY bridge or tunnel &C instruct.
ed and any a-ppurtenances thereof. ane
any lands or other things recsasars
thereto. acquired or constructs under
the provisions of this amendm ent. Rns
any and all property leased d o. b
the City Of New Orleans for re- par.
pose OF this amendment, du lHg tn.
life OF the lease. shall be exer III from
every form of taxation. specia ssseas.
ment or license. and shall Ii 70 saaf,
ner be hypothecated. leased d alien