The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-05-05
STATE LIGHTING COMMISSION.
BILL CREATING 1T PASSED BIZ
THE LEGISLATIVE.

at the Mercy OF Two state COmmis-
siOns, the state water Commission
Having Been Great cd by q Previous Act.
ALBANY, May AFTER the State Senate
to-day had disposed Of the bills introduced
by the Stevens New York city lighting
investigating committee and passed all
but the oonsumers' gas rate reduction
bill, II developed that the bin which the
Republican leaders were most anxious
70 have enacted into law was the one Great
ing a State commission Of gas and cleo
tricity, with power to regulate the price
Of gas and electric light and power, and TO
provide for the control and supervision Of
gas. electric light and power corporations.
II this bill only had passed the Republican
leaders would have been perfectly satisfied,
az it gives the State commission not only
power to regulate and fix the price Of cleo
tricity and gas in every city, village and
town In the State, but gives II power to
enforce any order II may make through
mandamus proceedings in the Supreme
Court.
The. commission Il TO be composed Of
three members, to be appointed by the
Governor, one TO serve for two years, one
for four years and one for six years from
the first Of June, 1905. Each commissioner
Ia to receive a salary OF s., 900, and the COM
mission may appoint such officers, clerks,
inspectors, experts and employees as II
deems necessary. The commissions main
ofice Ia 10 be in the Capitol at Albany.
where It must meet once a month. and II
Is 10 have a branch Office in New York and
also one In Buffalo The commission Ia
TO fix the salaries Of its employees and thu
commissioners and employees are to be
allowed $500 a month for expenses
The commission il aut horned to investi-
gate and ascertain the qgality Of gas sup
piled and the operat ions Of persons, cor
porations and municipalities in supplying
gas and electricity for light, heat and power
or in transmitting the same, and may order
such improvements as will best promote
public interests, preserve the public health
and prot ect those using gas and electricity.
The commission may fix the standard
Of power and purity Of gas and establish
a standard Of pressure at which gas shall
be delivered. II may prescribe methods
Of keeping accounts and books by gas and
electric corporations and will have super
vision Of the power companies at Niagara
Falls and other places. 1t may require
each corporation to file an annual report
In detail showing all Of its financial opera
tions for the year and has power 70 examine
the books and affairs Of any corporation
pertaining 70 the affairs being Investigated
by it,
The commission has power 10 subpoena
witnesses and take testimony. II is au-
thoriZed 70 supervise the inspection Of gas
and electric meters by any state or munich
pal officer, and may adopt rules 70 govern
such tests and see that these officers do
lnEnRCtOT
Of electric meters.
Hereafter no gas or electric light or
power company Incorporated after this
bill becomes a Law shall transact business
within this State until IL obtains a certificate
of authority from the State commission.
Nor shall a municipality establish munich
pal lighting plant without the consent of
the commission. This would apply TO
Mayor MoClellan's municipal lRh ding plant
In connection with the Ulster county water
complete mercy Of two State commissions,
The State Water Commission will have
jurisdiction Of the water supply TO be Sc
cured IN Ulster county and the Gas and
Eleotncity Commission will supervise the
generating OF power from the supply.
No gas or electric light corporations
hereafter Incorporated shall issue any stock
OF bonds without the approval Of the COM
mission, and no existing corporation shall
increase its capital stock OF bonded indebt-
electric corporation shall not transfer OF
lease its franchise OF plant, nor acquire
the stock OF bonds Of any other corporation
engaged in like business without the com
missions consent.
Appeals from the decision OF the COM
mission may be made TO the Appellate
Division, which may order the commission
TO reverse It's decision upon review. Upon
the complaint Of the Mayor Of the city,
the trustees OF a village OF the town board
Of town, or Of 100 customers Of a lighting
corporation, either as 10 the power, purity,
pressure or price Of gas or electricity. the
commission shall investigate such COM
plants and have a public hearing thereon.
Thereafter the commission may fix the
maximum price Of gas or electricity which
shall be charged and may order such i'm
provements in manufacture, distribution
or supply Of such electricity as will in it's
Judgment improve the service. The price
fred by the commission shall be the maxi
mum price for a term Of three years. The
mandamus section Of the bill provides:
An order made by the commission. as In
from an order the order is Af1rmed or modified.
the order made on such appeal may be en-
forced by writ Of mandamus. The COM
mission or any person, corporation or mu-
nicipsiity interested Ia the enforcement OF
such order may apply 70 the Supreme Court
ct a special term thereof, for writ Of man
damus to compel compliance with such order
Upon proof that the said order has been duly
made az 10 this act provided ana has not been
compiled with, after notice Of the making
thereof. 20 the person or corporation Affected
thereby. the Supreme Court may issue q writ
OF mandamus to enforce the provisions oil
said order
The bill now goes to Gov. Higgins for his
approval.
MAY NOT CHANGE MAYORS TERM.