Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1886-11-19
rHE SUBSTITUTE COMMISSION BILL
MoNrruJEa, Thursday EvrSiNG, Nov. Is.
Following is an abstract NJ the substitute hill,

MoNrruIm TUR.pAy EvraiNs, Nov. Is
Following is an abstract NJ the substitute hill,
creating a railroad commission as reported by the
special Subcommittee. to-day:
The huirrl shall consist uf three competent PER
SONS appointed by the governor and confirmed 10y
the senate 80 p-.f-Iu holding official or other
connection with an, railroad. or owning railroad
securities tu w.. cliEl.. The commission appoints
a clerk Eight d"llar- day. while engaged In TIN
tlutl.. of the board. il allowed to each meulrf
ami five. dollars 600 the clerk. with necessary
pu--~ The h1Iri has power CO. examine tho
books acr1unt- and papers ct rnllr"ad corpora
tilti- -l far u- B. necessary for the proper per-
furuuut4. of IFS duties under The law. To- cas- uf
refusal tu cuwpN with its demands, the buard
shall apply go any judge " the Suprem" opur
who shall enforce tine provisions ut this act ~ hi,
respect The u'ari may empuy AN expert at any
linn. Goo assist lm examination "f books and a..
counts
TN. commissioners have power at any time. du.
ring hu~iu,~~ hours. To enter the offices, deputs,
CIr~ coy ul4u Tine rpdl~ ui any railroad CORPORA
tun m tn, state, ~u far ~ II Is necessary IN the
discharge of their duties Memirrs uf the hoard
and its clerk have FREE rausl urtatiun ON all rail
roads iu the stat Railroad COMPANIES arr To-
furnish the buuri any aut alt Information they may
request concerning the condition. operation and
infringement Of their roads. together with rates
of fares aud charges for transportation The
commissioners shall mot give publicity To- such in
formation a. may h. Cuuiidrd To- them under the
provision, of this act unless 1t H. to the Legislature
ur on amy judicial proceedings, unless specially
required So tu dp boy law Any person or persons
operating railruad Who shall r,'iiis- such atst-Ss
Ia iruoks puIs.i- and accounts or ~ any way ob
,trictiug The commissioners in the performance
nf their duii.~ iu this lehalf shall L. summoned
before any supreme OF county court IN the state
and upon hearing TIA" court shall make such ORDER
- may h, necessary to enforce compliance with
the request ~ Tho huarl ANY Witully ials'
statement made shall subject the person making
Il to prosecution for perjury.
The commissioners stall have general SUPER
vision ~ railroads So far NJ necessary 10 enabl,
them 90 PROPERLY perform their Duties. They may
iu,,,ii gate accidents resulting in los Of life and
HNf..af IA nall
make public their conclusions Railroad CON
uauies shall inform th, buard II such accidents.
In cas- Of violation, Of the railroad law IT this
state, or refusal ." comply with any rrasohAhle
recommendation or in cas- ~ auy unjust discrirn-
mntlun ION the part 81 any railroad company
either los itself m conjunction with other rail.
road COMPANIES the board shall investigate and
recommend to sud companies such action a. u
deems eNpedrft end necessary. II the ahuS'
complained Of continues after such ret'uuinrnda
ton, tho board shall report TO tn" next s ssinn Of
the Legislature n a mufr speedy r-lt is rNluirti,
any judge uf the supreme court may he applied TO
and take action IN the premises.
ImpruIs.ru r announcement connections with other
roads. or insufficient accommodation for the traN.
cling pul,Ii. shall ls. invest gates, hy the commits
SiunefS. who shall make public their conclusion
and recommendation. If any. together with the
reasons upon which the same is ha~td.
Ne railroad company shall b. excused from liza
hility n any matter 10y urging the fact that II iol
! lowed the suggestion ur advice Of the buard IN
such matter Ia other words, when a company Is
really AT fault. d shall not put blame upon the
board hut TIM reports recommendations, etc oi
the hazard shall not i-- received in evidence by
any Judicial tribunal against the corporations or
/ their representations
The hiari shall Civ, 60 Interested companies no
/ tic- in writing of Recommendation and shall ia
the time within which the same shall h. complied
with when any chang, is deemed proper IN amy ui
the following ca~-,, VIZ. Repairs 10 property or
rolling stock. changes iu stations and station
houses IN the rates OF far, or freight transpurta
tiuu II the recommendation Of the board Is not
l complied with in any Of the matters last above
/ named the supreme court, sitting a. court of
/ equity shall have power tu enforce. compliance
/ with such recommendations providing the same
I ar- Just and reasonable IN the Judgment Of said
] court.
The board shall make biennial report 10 the leg
! islature Of It's work. and ~ the workings OF the
railroad sy~trut and en- copies NJ the report shall
/ bt. printed for distribution.
/ II. growing Out of the inter-stat" commerce bl
! now pending ia Congress, national railroad com
! mission shall hs created. then the state board
| shall Hs far as Is consistent conform To the laWs
] and recommendations of the general government
The board shall recommend the adoption OF a
| uniform system of keeping accounts, 10 conform
| 50 far a. practical with the system In New Eng
! land. New York and Canada.
! No commissioner shall receive for his services
or extra services. any compensation from any 9th
-r source whatever except as provided IA tins act
Violations of tins provision are punished 10y tn'
of SluDl, or imprisonment In the state prison fp
six months in the discretion II the court. Th'
state paws the cost uf the commission, bat the rN
/ prus'' In any one year Is NOT 20 exceed sou