Chapter 49.
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/statutes-at-large/vol-39/chapter-49-3876412·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
CHAP. 49.— Joint Resolution Authorizing the granting of permits to the committee on inaugural ceremonies on the occasion of the inauguration of the President elect in March, nineteen hundred and seventeen, and so forth. February 9, 1917.[[H. J. Res. 358](/us/bill/64/hjres/358).][[Pub. Res., No. 49](/us/bill/64/pubres/49).] *Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, * That the Secretary of WarDistrict of Columbia.Inauguration of President.Use of reservations, etc., authorized. is hereby authorized to grant permits, under such restrictions as he may deem necessary, to the committee on inaugural ceremonies for the use of any reservations or other public spaces in the city of Washington under his control on the occasion of the inauguration of the President elect in March, nineteen hundred and seventeen: *Provided,* That in his opinion no serious or permanent injuries will*Provisos*.Conditions. be thereby inflicted upon such reservations or public spaces or stat-902uaryStreets, avenues, etc. thereon; and the Commissioners of the District of Columbia may designate for such and other purposes on the occasion aforesaid such streets, avenues, and sidewalks in said city of Washington under their control as they may deem proper and necessary: *Provided, however,*Supervision of stands, etc.
That all stands or platforms that may be erected on the public spaces aforesaid, including such as may be erected in connection with the display of fireworks, shall be under the supervision of the said inaugural committee and in accordance with the plans and designs to be approved by the Engineer Commissioner of the District of Columbia, the officer in charge of public buildings and grounds, and the Superintendent of the United States Capitol Restoration, etc.Building and Grounds: *And provided further,* That the reservations or public spaces occupied by the stands or other structures shall be promptly restored to their condition before such occupation and that the inaugural committee shall indemnify the War Department for any damage of any kind whatsoever upon such reservations or spaces by reason of such use.
Sec. 2. Use of overhead wires for illumination. That the Commissioners of the District of Columbia are hereby authorized to permit the committee on illumination of the inaugural committee for said inaugural ceremonies, to stretch suitable overhead conductors, with sufficient supports wherever necessary and in the nearest practicable connection with the present supply of *Provisos*.Supervision of work.light, for the purpose of effecting the said illumination: *Provided,* That if it shall be necessary to erect wires for illuminating or other purposes over any park or reservation in the District of Columbia, the work of erection and removal of said wires shall be under the supervision of the official in charge of said park or reservation:
Time limit.*Provided further,* That the said conductors shall not be used for the conveying of electrical currents after March eighth, nineteen hundred and seventeen, and shall, with their supports, be fully and entirely removed from the streets and avenues of the said city of Washington on or before March fifteenth, nineteen hundred and Safety precautions, etc.seventeen: *And provided further,* That the stretching and removing of the said wires shall be under the supervision of the Commissioners of the District of Columbia, who shall see that the provisions of this resolution are enforced, that all needful precautions are taken for the protection of the public, and that the pavement of any street, avenue, or alley disturbed is replaced in as good condition No public expense.as before entering upon the work herein authorized: *And provided further,* That no expense or damage on account of or due to the stretching, operation, or removing of the said temporary overhead conductors shall be incurred by the United States or the District of Columbia.
Sec. 3. Loan of flags, etc., for decorating. That the Secretary of War and the Secretary of the Navy be, and they are hereby, authorized to loan to the committee on inaugural ceremonies such ensigns, flags, and so forth, belonging to the Government of the United States (except battle flags) that are not now in use and may be suitable and proper for decoration, and may, in their judgment, be spared without detriment to the public service, such flags to be used in connection with said ceremonies by said committee, under such regulations and restrictions as may be prescribed by the said Secretaries, or either of them, in decorating the fronts of public buildings and other places on the line of march between the Capitol and the Executive Mansion and the interior of the reception *Provisos*.Time limit.hall: *Provided,* That the loan of the said ensigns, flags, signal numbers, and so forth, to said committee shall not take place prior to the twenty-fourth day of February, and they shall be returned by the Indemnity for damages.tenth day of March, nineteen hundred and seventeen: *Provided further,* That the said committee shall indemnify the said departments, or either of them, for any loss or damage to such flags not necessarily incident to such use.
That the Secretary of War is hereby 903authorized to loan to the inaugural committee for the purpose ofLoan of medical appliances, etc. caring for the sick, injured, and infirm on the occasion of said inauguration of the President of the United States, such hospital tents and camp appliances and other necessaries, hospital furniture and utensils of all descriptions, ambulances, horses, drivers, stretchers, and Red Cross flags and poles belonging to the Government of the United States as in his judgment may be spared and are not in use by the Government at the time of the inauguration: *And provided further,*Indemnity for damages.
That the inaugural committee shall indemnify the War Department for any loss or damage to such hospital tents and appliances, as aforesaid, not necessarily incident to such use: *And provided further,* ThatBond. the said inaugural committee shall give bond, with security satisfactory to the Secretary of War, to do the same. Sec. 4. That the Commissioners of the District of Columbia be, andTemporary overhead telegraph wires permitted. they are hereby, authorized to permit the Western Union Telegraph Company and the Postal Telegraph Company to extend overhead wires to such points along the line of parade as shall be deemed by the chief marshal convenient for use in connection with the parade and other inaugural purposes, the said wires to be taken down within ten days after the conclusion of the ceremonies.
Sec. 5. That the Superintendent of the United States CapitolCourthouse may be used for quartering troops. Building and Grounds is hereby authorized to permit the inaugural committee to use, for the temporary quartering of troops participating in said inauguration, so much of the United States courthouse, in Judiciary Square, in the city of Washington, as in his judgment is available for such use: *Provided,* That the inaugural committee shall*Proviso*.Indemnity for damages. indemnify the United States for any damage of any kind whatsoever to said courthouse by reason of such use.
Approved, February 9, 1917.