The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1907-09-24
NEW PUBLIC
UTILITIES BILL
Sen. HiIIery introduces Meas
ure to Senate, Which
Then Adjourns.
SWEEPING IN IT'S PROVISIONS

Upon the reconyening of the SEN
ate last Tuesday Senator Hillery intro
duced the long looked for public util-
titles bill which was drafted by COM
mittee appointed by the Senate be-
fore its recess. The Senate then adj
journed until next week, when the
bill will be taken up for consideration.
The measure provides for commits
sion of three members to be appointed
by the Governor at annual salary of
S5, 900 each. The commission is to
have supervision over all gas, electric
light, heat, power, water, sewer. tele-
phone, telegraph and street railways
operating in the State together with
their plants and equipment.
1t will not have supervision over
the railroads, this Jurisdiction being
held by the railroad commission ap-
pointed under an act of last winter.
Specific authority is given to the
commission to inquire into the condi-
tion and method of operating all cor
porations coming within the class
mentioned and to investigate COM
plants touching alleged rebates, rates,
charges or demands for services rem
dered and all determinations in ser
vice rendered in the transportation Of
personal property or otherwise.
1t is authorized to make recon-
mendations in writing to any corpor-
alton touching the improvement OF
! its service or the betterment of it's
conditions and affairs.
The commission is to make an an
nual report to the legislature and is
also to report to the Interstate COM
merce commission upon such subjects
as the commission may request.
Another important function is to
see that every corporation coming
within the provisions of the act shall
carry out the provisions of its charter,
whether obtained under general or
special laws, and after hearing upon
notice such a corporation may be COM
PEELED to furnish such proper and ade-
quate service as shall in the Judgment
of the commission be just and reason
able.
Power is given to compel any corpor-
alton which shall hereafter increase
it's rates or charges for public utilities
to reduce such charges to an equita-
BILE sum.
To direct any corporation found dis
eliminating in its rates to make the
same uniform with certain excep-
tions) and to direct any corporation
granting rebates or other unjust dis
elimination to cease therefrom.
The basic rate for prices to be
charged for electrical energy or heat,
light or power, for the transmission of
messages, for gas and water is required
to be uniform and equal to all GUS
TONERS in any one municipality, with
proviso permitting sliding scales of
discount based on the character of
service the hours and nature of use,
the quantity Of the product consumed
and the ratio between such quantity
and the maximum demand. The dis
counts, however, are to be uniform to
all customers within the limits OF
such municipality.
A further proviSo permits corpor-
alton to make special rates as to muni-
cipalities. No corporation subject to
the act is permitted to issue any stock
or bonds, merge or consolidate, sell,
transfer or lease it's franchise or con-
tract for the use of the same, except
with the approval of the commission,
Provision is made for the enforce
ment of the law by proceedings in the
court of chancery on bill filed by the
encouragement in the name of the
commission.