Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1886-12-06
THE RAILROAD COMMISSION
BILL.

The Railroad Commission Bill. |
which has received the signature of |
the governor and become law, is as
follows:
The board shall consist of three compe- |
tent persons, to be appointed by the gov
ernor and confirmed by the senate, the
airy to be SIS per diem while engaged in
the duties of the board for each member.
and So per diem for the clerk, with nee
essary expenses, not to exceed 5000 per
year. The board to have power to exam
inc books, accounts and papers of railroad
corporations so far as the same is neces-
sary or the proper performance of its du-
ties under the law. In case of a refusal
of any person operating a railroad to COM
ply with the demands of the board in this
behalf, the board shall apply to any
Judge of the supreme court, who shall
summon said person or persons 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 examina-
ton of said books and accounts. The
commissioners to have power at any time
during business hours, in official capaci-
ty, to enter the offices, depots, cars, or
upon the roads of any railroad corpora
ton IN the state, so far as it is necessary
in the discharge of it's duties. Members
of the board and its clerk to have free
transportation on all railroads in the
nish the board any and all information
requested 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 conf1ded to them under
the provision of this act unless it be to
the legislature, or in any judicial proceed
ings unless specially required SO to do by
law. Any person or persons operating
railroad who shall refuse such access to
| books, papers and accounts, or in any
| way obstructing the commissioners in
| the performance of their duties in this
behalf, shall be summoned before any SUI
periOr 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 prosecu-
tion for perjury. The commissioners
shall have general supervision of rail-
| roads as far as necessary to enable them
to properly perform their duties. They
may investigate accidents resulting 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 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 continues
after such recommendation, the boarC
shall report to the next SESSION of the
legislature; if a more speedy relief is re
quired, any judge of the supreme cour
may be applied to and take action on tn,
t premises.
, Improper or inconvenient connection
with other roads, or insufficient accom-
mediation for the travelling public shall b
shall make public their conclusions, AM
, recommendation, If any, together witt
the reasons upon which the same is has
ed. No railroad company shall be excus
ed from liability in any matter by urgin
: the TACT that it followed the suggestio
7 or advice of the board in said matter. l
/, other words, when such company is re
E ally at fault it shall not put blame upo
the board. When any change is deeme
, proper in any of the cases named below
the board shall give to the railroad con
pany interested, notice in writing of Rec
!, ommendation, and shall fix the time will
q in which the same shall be complied will
e namely: Repairs to property or rolin
:. stock, changes in stations or static
@ houses, in the rates of fare or freigl
}. transportation. Ii the recommendatio
IL of the board is not complied with in +,
gard to any of the matter last above nan
ed, the supreme court sitting as cou
of equity, shall have power to enfor'
q compliance with such recommendation
: providing the same are just and reason
- able in the judgment of said court,
II The board shall make biennial repo
e of the legislature, OF its work, and Il
d workings of the railroad system.
Il If, growing out of the interstate cor
merce bill now pending in congress,
national railroad commission shall
j. created, then the state board shall, as +
a as consistent, conform to the laws al
De recommendations of the general COVER
IS ment.
), Railroad accounts-The board sh;
recommend the adoption of unifor
system of keeping accounts, to conforl
as far as practicable, with the system
a. New England, New York and Canada.
No commissioner shall receive for
n services, or extra services, any comper
is alton from any other source whatsoev
be except as provided in the act. Violati
n, of this provision to be punished by fl
at Of $1,000, or Imprisonment in the sta
On prison for six months in the discretion
or the court.
n WASHINGTON LETTER.
MT ESPECIAL CORRESPONDENTS OF THE MONITOR
w Washington, NoU. 3Oth.