District of Columbia Code Division V. Local Business Affairs § 34-1921.01. Removal of telegraph poles and wires; duties of Mayor; extension of conduits.

All telegraph poles and the wires attached thereto, not the property of the United States or the District of Columbia, upon the streets, avenues and alleys on March 3, 1905 within the fire limits of the District of Columbia, except as hereinafter provided, shall from time to time, as may be prescribed by the Mayor of said District, be taken down and removed. The work of taking down and removing said poles and wires shall be done under the direction of said Mayor, and it is hereby made the duty of said Mayor to enforce compliance with the provisions of this subchapter as expeditiously as may be consistent with the public interests; and the said Mayor is hereby empowered, from time to time, to authorize any company or corporation on March 3, 1905, or thereafter operating and maintaining a telegraph plant or system in the District of Columbia to locate and construct a system of underground conduits, subsidiaries, and manholes in or under any or all of the streets, avenues, alleys, lanes, or other public highways in said District, as may be requisite and necessary for the purpose of this subchapter and for the reception of such other conduits, cables, and wires as may be reasonably required in the future by the growth of such company or corporation or its assigns, or to adequately meet the requirements of the public for telegraph service.