Tensas gazette., 1916-11-10
Act No. 68

BY MP. kantx. Chairman, Committee on
City Affairs. Substitute for House
Bill No. 17S. 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
the City of New Orleans. bridges and
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 /. Be II enacted by the
General Assembly Of the State OF Lou.
isiana. two-thirds of all the members
subject to the ratification and approv-
al Of the electors OF the State. the
Constitution Of the State be amended
by incorporating therein the following
provisions. to-wit:
Q) The City Of New Orleans IL
hereby granted plenary and exclusive
power. by such means and methods as
II may deem meet and proper not in
conflict with the provisions of this
amendment;
(a) 10 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 appertafning;
(b) To acquire. by appropriation or
otherwise. the property. ownership.
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
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.
tc) 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
City OF New Orleans may deem advis-
able. subject to the following limita-
tions:
(a) Except as may be herein dther-
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 a lien and
pledge upon the net revenues derived
from the operation thereof, and shall
be paid therefrCn and from no other
source or sources whatsoever, except
as otherwise stipulated herein. and 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 tn q
manner herein stated, the City Of New
Orleans shall never be liable for, nor
shall IL assume. any debt, liability or
obligation incurred or created in the
execution Of the provisions hereof.
(b) During the period Of construc-
tion OF such bridges and tunnels and
appurtenances. and during such times
as the revenues from the operation
thereof shall not be sufficient to pro-
vide for the interest on. and for the re-
legations hereinabove 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
any bonds authorized by said Act No.
17s Of 1908. whether heretofore or
hereafter issued.
CD Any bridges or tunnels and ap-
purtenances thereof constructed.
equipped. maintained or operated by
thority hereby conferred. and all
other property acquired by the
City of New Orleans under the pro-
visions OF this amendment. shall form
and ,a,a are hereby constituted an
RAILROAD system. @ u as it It now ' or as s'it It
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
sion OF the City of New Orleans Is
hereby vested with the same powers
with respect to the Public Belt Rail-
road system as well as with respect to
such bridges. tunnels. appurtenances
and property. their acquisition. con-
1
as are now vested in said Commission
by Act No. 17s 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 sRailroad 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 purpose of
constructing such bridges or tunnels
a sum not to exceed twenty-five thou
sand dollars on any one contract. pro-
vided. however, that all disbursements
beyond said sum shall be made only
after they shall have been first author
lied and approved by the Commission
Council Of the City of New Orleans.
(D The Public Belt Railroad Com
mission. under such terms and condi-
tions as II may deem advisable, shall
have the right to switch. handle or
convey. in contiguous movement. for
any railroad. trains over such bridges
or through such tunnels and over the
main lines Of the Public Belt Railroad
to the depot or yard Of said railroad. or
to any union passenger depot or union
terminal Of the Public Belt Railroad
system; 1t being understood that the
cilitate the movement of trains enter
ing the City of New Orleans on the
east or west bank Of the Mississippi
River. Under no condition can the
Public Belt Railroad Commission
grant switching privileges to any
railroad over the Public Belt Railroad
system.
go Any bridge or tunnel construct
ed and any appurtenances thereof. and
any lands or other things necessary
thereto. acquired or constructed under
the provisions OF this amendment. and
any and all property leased to or by
TIE City Of New Orleans for the pur.
pose of this amendment, during the
life Of the lease. shall be exempt from
every form OF taxation. special assess-