The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1886-11-24
Railroad Commission Bill.

The bill reported by the railroad commits
sion is in substance as follows:
The board shall consist of three competent
persons to be appointed by the governor
and confirmed by the senate; the commits
sion to appoint clerk. The salary to be
IS per diem, while engaged in the duties of
the board, for each member and 50 per
! diem for the clerk, with necessary expenses.
The whole expense, including printing, ex-
| perts, salaries and expenses not to exceed
| $1,000 per year. The board to have power
to examine the books, accounts and papers
of railroad corporations, as far as the same
is necessary for the proper performance of
its duties under the law. In case of re-
fusal Of any persons operating a railroad to
comply with the demands of the board in
this behalf, the board shall apply to any
judge of the supreme court who shall sum-
mon said person or persons before him and
shall enforce the provisions 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 capacity to enter the offices,
depots, cars, or upon the roads of any rail-
road corporation in the state so far as it is
necessary in the discharge of its duties.
Members of the board and its clerk to
have free transportation on all railroads
in the state. Railroad companies are to
furnish the board any and all inform ton
requested by il, concerning the condition,
OptIdJloH anu management Vi SdlU TOduS,
together with rates of fare and charges for
transportation. The commissioners shall
not give publicly such information as
may be confided to them under the pro-
visions of the act, unless it be to the legis-
| lature or in any judicial proceeding unless
| specially required to do by law. ANY
person or persons operating railroad who
shall refuse such access to books, papers
and accounts, or in any way obstructng the
commissioners in the performance of their
/ 1urias in This habolf Shol lo aI no
fore any supreme or county court in the
state, and upon hearing the court shall make
such orders as maybe necessary to enforce
compliance with the request of the board
Any wifully false statement made shall
submit the person making it to prosecution
for perjury.
The commissioners shall have general SUI
pervision of railroads so far as necessary to
enable them to properly perform their du-
ties. They may investigate accidents re-
sulting IN loss of life; and not so resulting,
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 railroads 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
connection with other railroad companies,
the board shall investigate and recommend
to said companies such action as the board
deems expedient and necessary. If the
abuse complained of continues 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 inconvenient connections
with other roads, or insufficient accommo-
dations for the travelling public shall be in
vestigated by the commissioners, who shall
make public their conclusion, and recon-
mendation 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 suggestion or adj
vice of the board in said matter. In other
words, when such company 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 interest
ed notice in writing of recommendation and
shall fix the time within which the same
shall be complied with, namely: repairs to
property or rolling stock; changes in stations
and station houses; in the rates OF fare or
freight transportation If the recommends
ton of the board is not complied with in
| regard to any of the matters last above
named, the supreme court, sitting as court
of equity shall have power to enforce COM
pliance with such recommendations, pend
ing the same are Just and reasonable i'll the
judgment of said court.
The board shall make biennial report to
the legislature OF ltS Work, anu OF the work
ings of the railroad system,
If, growing out of the Interstate COM
merce bill now pending in congress- a ma
tional railroad commission shall be created,
then the state board shall, as far as consist
ent conform to the laws and recommends
tons of the general government.
Railroad accounts The board shall rec
ommend the adoption of a uniform system
of keeping accounts to conform as far as
practicable with the system in New En-
gland, New York and Canada.
No commissioner shall receive for his SER
vices, or extra services any compensation
from any other source whatsoever except as
provided in the act. Violation of this pro-
vision to be punished by fine of one thou
sand dollars or imprisonment in the state
prison for six months in the discretion of the
court, Prov ided the clerk may receive the
usual fees for copies of papers, etc, fur
nished by him.