New-York tribune., 1890-01-17
A STATE ELECTRIC BOARD
PROPOSED SOLUTION OF A VEXATlOUS
QUESTION.
Mr. RoEsCH INTRODUCES AN IMPORTANT MEAS.
URE IN THE STATE SENATE MODELLED ON
THE RAILROAD COMMISSION BILL.

MR.. RoEsCH INTRODUCES AN IMPORTANT MEAS
URE IN THE STATE SENATE MODELLED on
THE RAfLROAD COMMISSION BILL.
PROM THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF TIE TRIBuSEJ
Albany. Jan l6-A practical solution of the cleo
tric light muddlc in New York has been attempted by
q. F. Roesch. the Tammany Senator from the Win
New York District. In bill which was introduced
into the senate this morning. Mr. Roesch was a wit
of the killing OF Lneman Feeks, and has nvesti-
gated many Of the recent fatalities. Lneman Erd-
man. who was killed in Harlem, was one of his con-
sttucnt, 50 that hi, interest in the subject is largely
sentimental The BILL which is modelled on the Rail
road Commission bil is sweeping In its provisions IL
contemplate, the abolition Of the present subway Com
mission and Board Of Electrical Control and the subti
tuition in their stead Of board OF three commission
crs be appointed by the Governor and senate, TO
receive - 900 a salary. and TO hold office for
three four and five years respectively. The political
complexion of the Board Is regulated by provision
that one of its members shall be selected from the
party which gave the greatest number of votes for
Governor At the last election and that another shall
be an expert versed in the science Of electricity
designations are 10 be filed by appointment. Any
commiss ioncr may DO suspended by the Governor
upon written charges ANA dismissed with the approval
OF a majority Of the senate.
The commission is empowered to issue subpoenas.
failure to obey which is made punishable by law. A
chief clerk secretary, at annual salary Of - 900,
hold Office at the pleasure Of the Board, also
additional clerical force Of six persons aud in
spcctor "who shall be civil engineer and skilled
the science Of electricity Accountants and other
experts may be called into service, the total expense
under these heads being, however, limited to 300
month The bill ask, for appropriation forthwith
Of $4,000 The feature Of most Interest to taxpayers
i, the clause requiring that the annual total expense,
not exceeding 10000 and exclusive Of Office rent.
shall hc borne by persons or corporations owning
operating telephones. telcgraps electric wires motors.
ubway-. condUits or conductors the payments of
each 10 be assessed by the Controller and ste As
SCISSORS the bas, Of half in proportion to the
net Income Of the organization for the year preceding
that n which the assessment is made, and one hall
IA proportion 10 the extent Of its operations
Ihc main Office of the Commission Is required to be
n Albany where IL will meet at least once a month.
with branch Offices In other places. The powers Of
the Commission are thus defined 1t Is to have tho
general supervision 0 all telegraph telephone electric
Nirc motor. subway. conductor or conduit companies
or associations, those which in any manner utilize
the electric nud for public for the purpose Of
commerce. II may enter the Offices Of any Of them
during business hours for purposes Of investigation and
is especially charged to inquire into the Of any
aud all accidents The general superintendent or man
aser of All companies is required N inform the Board
u any such accident Immediately after its occurrence
The Board Is to give reasonable notice OF It's intention
l' HNh examinations, DNt Il empowered To sCrutnlZG
The book, and Affairs of the companies. or to compel
he production Of necessary documents It must sit In
th' place where the principal busincs, Office Of the
Institution Immediately concerned j, located but may
call fog books and paper 10 be- brought from a distance
Whenever. IN the judgment of the Board it appears
that any corporation hos violated any constitutional
prov i,i"n "r law ha neglected iu any way to com
py with ne term, oi the aci hy which 1t created
or un!u,ty Discriminate, IN charges fur services or
.f.f
pora'on, The Attorney General on the recommendation
of the Board , 10 proceed against 1t. Moreover the
Board g. authorized. whenever II decides, after per.
-oral examination. that rcpalfs changes IN the modo
0f operation arc reasonable or cNpedlcnt to sImmon
corporations to hearing aud nx the time within which
the evil. dl-ooycrcd shall ba rcmcdlcd. Tho supreme
Court. og SPECIAL lcrm is to have power to enforce
plluce W.th IT., Instructions. subject however. to ap.
peal so Ac roaeral fern and the Court Of Appeals
Hut u, ttdins 0, to Doe considered prma facie ovi-
don.r Of tAc facts. and 's recommendations deemed
puWa ia,,'. lu,t ana reasonable.
Iu addition t0 furnishing Information about their a..
counts hud modes Of operation, electrical corporations
60. ai7 required o furnish copies of all their con.
tracts. atccmcnt, aHd lease. These the commission
o., o.c u.t ,r 90 iiis restrained from making public.
bat t'rs ac directed uut to do 80 H. in their judg
ucai thc uuli., interest doe, not require II or tho
vcia.e ul those concerned might be- injured Refusal
% pluil,r contracts and l.a-c h. made ml-dcmclnor.
IT." L"'fd 4, 90 pi".'li" form of report o bc made
ArntI+f If ftc 'nrpfi tf1ur 'uutcrIcd and when the
.rH iu t0t 'I-, f, dcirrtItr believed ~ be cr-
.."r"n.. 10 shaii bc nsquird To- be amended within
iI..f. di...
ih" Commission b. 70 submit report TO the Legs.
'."rc co., tU" -"'"nd Monday of January In every
lI' rrpuit B., 90 contain an abstract II lis pIO-
i.'-.. t'n iu lNtlHdr such statements. facts and
explanation. g. VIII d-.o.e the actual wor.ins Of ihc
NH. 1.'al '.i.m. n, leaning upon the business and
.r. f'.,N q Gre state. AID such -uG- ,tions a. The
i"r4l policy ~ tar state or lhc amendment of ID,
IfH- n Ihr condition ul tir t0uuaule- mas make ap.
pronritc. The board b. al-, required To recommend
,Ul adj. bills.
Nt the ios,t .iuIhonut provision IS that which
onilI- tlt "n" exclusive privilege or franchise shall
.r -tt.frt fl" a,t corporation bt which monopoly
Hat .. ,-'ucl competition prevented on equal
t,ln.
N E'" ''fr-', that hc dnr, not expect tlie bin
foo pas DO Er prtfAt state. bat thinks IL contain, the
element. of % measure of great public utility.