Public Law 83–599

That for The American Legion National Convention to be held in the District of Columbia for the period from August 25 to September 7, 1954, both inclusive, the Commissioners are authorized and directed to make all reasonable regulations necessary to secure the preservation of public order and protection of life, health, and property; to make special regulations

Vehicles.

respecting the standing, movement, and operation of vehicles of whatever character or kind during said period; and to grant under such conditions as they may impose, special licenses to peddlers and vendors

Vendors.

for the privilege of selling goods, wares, and merchandise in such places in the District of Columbia, and to charge such fees for such privilege, as they may deem proper.

Sec. 2.

For the purposes of this joint resolution, the term “Commissioners”

Definitions.

means the Commissioners of the District of Columbia or their designated agent or agents; the term “corporation” means The American Legion 1954 Convention Corporation of the District of Columbia; and the term “convention” means The American Legion National Convention of 1954 to be held in Washington, District of Columbia, on August 29, 30, and 31 and September 1 and 2, 1954.

Sec. 3.

The Superintendent of National Capital Parks with the

Use of grounds.

approval of such officer as may exercise jurisdiction over any of the Federal reservations or grounds in the District of Columbia, other than those areas under the jurisdiction of the Congress or any committee thereof, is authorized to grant to the corporation permits for the use of such reservations or grounds during the convention, including a reasonable time prior and subsequent thereto; the Architect of the Capitol is authorized to grant like permits for the use of those areas under the jurisdiction of the Congress or any committee thereof; and the Commissioners are authorized to grant like permits for the use of public space under their jurisdiction, including the grounds and stadia of the public schools. Each such permit shall be subject

Restrictions.

to such restrictions, terms, and conditions as may be imposed by the grantor of such permit. No stand or other structure shall be built on any sidewalk, street, park, reservation or other public grounds in the District of Columbia, except with the approval of the corporation, and with the approval of the Superintendent of National Capital Parks, the Architect of the Capitol, or the Commissioners, as the case may be, depending on the location of such stand. The reservations, grounds, or public spaces occupied by the stands or other structures shall, after the convention, be promptly restored to their previous condition. The corporation shall indemnify and save harmless the Dis-trict of Columbia and the appropriate agency or agencies of the Federal Government against any loss or damage to such property and against any liability arising from the use of such property, either by the corporation or a licensee of the corporation.

Sec. 4.

The Commissioners are authorized to permit the corporation

Lighting, etc.

to install suitable overhead conductors and install suitable lighting or other electrical facilities, with adequate supports, for illumination or other purposes. If it should be necessary to place wires for illuminating or other purposes over any park or reservation in the District of Columbia, such placing of wires and their removal shall be under the supervision of the official in charge of said park or reservation. Such conductors with their supports shall be removed on or before September 15, 1954. The Commissioners, or such other officials as may have jurisdiction in the premises, shall enforce the provisions of this joint resolution, take needful precautions for the protection of the public, and insure that the pavement of any street, sidewalk, avenue, or alley which is disturbed or damaged is restored to its previous condition. No expense or damage from the installation, operation, or removal of said temporary overhead conductors or said illumination or other electrical facilities shall be incurred by the United States or the District of Columbia, and the corporation shall indemnify and save harmless the District of Columbia and the appropriate agency or agencies of the Federal Government against any loss or damage and against any liability whatsoever arising from any act of the corporation or any agent, licensee, servant, or employee of the corporation.

Sec. 5.

Such agencies of the Department of Defense as the Secretary

Loan of tents, camp appliances, etc.

of Defense may designate are authorized to lend to the corporation such hospital tents, smaller tents, camp appliances, hospital furniture, ensigns, flags, ambulances, drivers, stretchers, and Red Cross flags and poles (except battle flags) as may be spared without detriment to the public service, and under such conditions as they may prescribe: Provided, That such loan shall be returned by the 15th day of September 1954, and the corporation shall indemnify the Government for any loss or damage to any of such property, and no expense shall be incurred by the United States Government for the delivery, return, rehabilitation, replacement, or operation of such equipment. The corporation shall give a good and sufficient bond for the safe return of such property in good order and condition, and the whole without expense to the United States.

Sec. 6.

The Commissioners, the Architect of the Capitol, the Superintendent

Overhead wires.

of National Capital Parks, and the corporation are authorized to permit telegraph, telephone, radiobroadcasting, and television companies to extend overhead wires to such points along the line of any parade as shall be deemed convenient for use in connection with such parade and other convention purposes. Such wires shall be removed within ten days after the conclusion of the convention.

Sec. 7.

The regulations and licenses authorized by this Act shall be

Effectivity of regulations, etc.

Newspaper Publication.

in full force and effect only during the period August 25 to September 7, 1954, both inclusive. Such regulations shall be published in one or more of the daily newspapers published in the District of Columbia and no penalty prescribed for the violation of any such regulation shall be enforced until five days after such publication.

Penalties.

Any person violating any regulation promulgated by the Commissioners under the authority of this Act shall be fined not more than $100 or imprisoned for not more than thirty days. Each and every day a violation of any such regulation exists shall constitute a separate offense, and the penalty prescribed herein shall be applicable to each such separate offense.