The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1883-02-22
Power and Duties of the New York
Railroad Commission.

hdliTOau COMMISSION.
[From the Albany Journal
For good or for evil New York's ex-
pertinent at state supervision of the
railroads begins to-day with the first
meeting of the commission. The po-
/ litical circumstances which were con-
nected with the passage of the bill
and which gave it its anomalous char
acter have been so generally discuss
ed rs to obscure in part the provis-
ions OF the bill itself. The first three
commissioners, by the terms of the
law. have been chosen, and each re-
spectively from the Democratic and
the Republican party, and one
has been named by two or
CARNATIONS, in which F. b. Thurber
is the ruling spirit, known. how
ever. as the national board of trade
and transportation and the national
anti-mUnOpoly league of New York.
The New Y ork chamber of commerce.
which also cast vote in the Tri-
partite council, favored the Hon. A.
b. Hepburn. After three years, how
ever. appointments to the commission
are to be made in the governors dis
erection, by and with the consent of
the senate, without regard to political
considerations and independent OF the
anti-monopoly organization after the
law is in full operation. The COM
missioners are to serve five
years. one commissioner going
out Of office each year. Accordingly
Mr.. O'Donnell will serve but three
years, and Mr.. Rogers but four.
Vacancies can be filled by the gov
ernor in the usual constitutional man
ner, and the commissioners are sub
ject to removal by the governor on
the presentation OF written charges.
Such removals must be approved by
majority of the senate.
The commission shall be served by
clerk and a marshal, TO whom the
duties ordinarily performed by such
officers are assigned. These two sub
| ordinattS, however, shall hold no Off
cial relations with any railroad. shall
own no railroad stock, and shall have
no pecuniary interest in any firm hav-
| ing business relations with railroads.
The meetings of the commission, which
shall take place at least once month,
shall be held in Albany, but the
| commission may establish branch
offices at Buffalo and New York. ANY
two commissioners shall constitute Il
quorum, and may hold meetings any
where within the state, at any time.
The examinations and investigations
i provided for may be held before q
| single commissioner, but his decisions
are not final until reviewed and con-
firmed by the board.
The powers and duties OF the COM
| misSioners are large and varied. They
are given general supervision Of rail-
roads and all railways, so far as is
necessary to enable them to perform
the duties and exercise the
powers imposed and conferred
by law" They must ex-
anime the roads and keep informed as
to their condition, the way they treat
the public, and how well they keep
within the law. 1t is made their duty
to investigate all accidents on the
roads, resulting in loss of life or dam
age to persons or property, which
they think 1t worth while to exam
inc. The managers of the roads must
at once inform the commissioners OF
such accfdents-an6 the latter must
report to the legislature annually the
results or such Investigations. The
commission has the power to examine
at all times the books and affairs of
the roads, can compel the production
Of books and papers (copies), subpoena
witnesses, administer oaths. compel
attendance, ETC., etc, like any court
OF record Witnesses are to get 81
per day and ) cents per mile.
The commission must notify the
roads whenever they find them viola
ting the laws or abusing their priyi-
leges, and if the wrong continues
shall present the facts to the attorney
general for his interference in the
courts. II is the commissions duty.
too, TO notify the roads, or any of
them, whenever repairs 10 the roads.
addition to the rolling stock or station
accommodations, terminal facilities,
changes in fare and freight rates, etc I,
are deemed necessary, and give the
roads thus notified full hearing on
the subject; and il the roads are re-
fractory the attorney general is to be
called in TO begin action. The COM
mission Is not required 10 make public
any facts about the business of the
roads in the state which, if published,
might he prejudicial to their interests.
The commission is TO make annual
report to the legislature, with sug-
gestiOns, etc, and is also empowered
to pTescibe the form in which the
railroads shall make their reports,
furnishing blanks for the purpose.
The salary of the commissioners is
$1,000; of the chief clerk 5000, and Of
the marshal $500. The commission
has the right to hire not more than
three other clerks at an aggregate cost
of $1,000 per year, and can also tempo
rarily hire engineers, accountants and
experts as they are needed. And
these, in the discharge of their dvties,
are TO ride free on all rail-
roads ON passes signed by the seore-
tary of state. The commissioners are
tospend not more than $500 a month
| for travelling expenses, and the total
expenses of the commission must not
exceed $4,000 a year. The commits
sioners or their employees are forbid
den to accept any presents, passes,
etc, from any railroad corporation,
and also to recommend the employ
ment of any persons by the road. To
reveal information obtained from one
railroad company to another is made