News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1886-11-25
The Railroad Commission Bill.

The Railroad Commission Bill.
The Railroad Commission Bill, which
has received the signature of the Gov
ernor and become a law, is as fol-
lows -
The board shall consist of three COM
petent persons, to be appointed by the
Governor and confirmed by the Senate,
the commission to appoint Il CLERK. The
salary TO be IS per diem while engaged
in the duties of the board for each mem
Der, and So per diem for the clerk. with
necessary expenses. not to exceed SoOGO
per year. The board to have power to
examine the books, accounts and papers
o. railroad corporations so far as the same
IS necessary for the proper performance
OF Its duties under the law. In case of
refusal of any person operating a rail
ROAD to comply with the demands of the
board i'll this behalf. the board shall APP
ply TO any Judge of the Supreme Court,
VINO snail summon said person or per-
sons before him and shall enforce the
provision of the act in this respect If
the board deem it expedient they may
employ an expert at any time to assist in
examination of said books and accounts.
The Commissioners to have power at any
time during business hours. in official ca
paclty, to enter the offices, depots, cars,
or upon the roads any railroad corpor-
alton in the State. so far as it is necessa-
~ III the discharge of its duties. Mem
bers of the board and its clerk to have
free transportation on all railroads in the
State. Railroad companies are to flrn-
lsh the board any aud all information re-
quested by it concerning the condition,
operation and management of said roads,
together with rates of fare and charges
for transportation. The Commissioners
shall not give publicity to such informa-
ton as may be cOnfided to them under
the provision of this act, unless it be to
the Legislature, or in any judicial pro-
ceedings unless specially required so to
do by law. Any person or persons OPP
Grating a railroad who shall refuse such
access to books, papers and accounts, or
in any way obstructing fhe Commission
ers in the performances Of their duties in
this behalf, shall be summoned before
any Superior or County Court in the
State, and upon hearing the court shall
make such orders as shall be necessary
to enforce compliance with the request of
the board. Any willfully false statement
made shall submit the person making it
to prosecution for perjury. The Com
missioners shall have general supervis-
ion of railroads as far as necessary to
enable them to properly perform their
duties. They may investigate accidents
resulting in loss of life, and not so re-
sulting, if they think proper, and shall
make public their conclusions, railroad
companies to keep the board Informed of
such accidents.
In case of violations of the railroad
law of this State. or refusal to comply
with any reasonable recommendation; or
in case of any unjust discrimination on
the part of any railroad company. either
by itself or in conjunction with other rail-
road companies, the board shall investi-
gate and recommend to said company
such action as the board deems necessa-
ry. 1T the abuse complained of contin-
ues after such recommendation, the board
shall report to the next session of the
Legislature; if more speedy relief is
required, any Judge of the Supreme
Court may be applied to and take action
in the premises.
Improper or announcement connections !
with other roads, or insufficient accom- |
mediation for the travelling public shall |
be investigated by the commissioners, |
who shall make public their conclusions, |
and recommendation, if any, together |
with the reasons upon which the same is |
based. No railroad company shall be |
excused from liability in any matter by |
urging the fact that it followed the sug-
gestion or advice of the board in said !
matter. In other words, when such COM !
pany is really at fault it shall not put the |
blame upon the board. When any
change is deemed proper in any of the |
cases named below, the board shall give |
to the railroad company interested, notice |
dot II
fix the time within which the same shall |
be complied with. namely: Repairs to |
property or rolling stock, changes in sta /
lions or station houses, in the rates of
fare or freight transportation. IfI
the recommendation of the board is not
complied with in regard to any of the
matter last above named, the Supreme
Court, sitting as Court of Equity, shall
have power to enforce compliance with
such recommendations, providing the
same are just and reasonable in the iudg-
ment of said court.
The boards shall mako Biennial report
to the Legislature of its work and the
workings of the railroad system.
If, growing out of the Interstate Com
merce bill now pending in Congress. a
National Railroad Commission Shall be
created, then the State Board shall. as
far as consistent, conform to the laws
and recommendations of the General
Government.
Railroad accounts-The board shall
recommend the adoption of uniform
system of keeping accounts, to conform,
as far as practicable, with the system in
New England, New York and Canada.
No Commissioner shall receive for his
services, or extra services, any compen-
sation from any other source whatsoever
except as provided in the act. Violation
of this provision to be punished by fine
of $1,000, or Imprisonment in the State
Prison for six months in the discretion of
the court.