Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-06-07
Signed Thursday by Gov
Hughes at Albany, NY.
One Of the Most Far Reaching
Reform Measures Ever Enacted
State Control Of Every Public Ser
vice Except TeIegraph.Telepho

Albany, n. Y. June 6.-The so-called
rublic utilities bin which became
law when Gov Hughes affixed his sig
ature to it today is one of the most
| far-reaching reform measures ever
! passed by an American Legislature. IL
! places under direct state control every
| public service corporation, great OF
| small in the state of New York with
the exception of the telephone and tel
! ngraph. 1t applies not only to the rail-
roads, street railway and subway lines,
/ express companies and gas and electric
lighting COMPANIES doing business cX-
| ciuSivIly in the state, but to the buSl-
. ness within this state of all railroads
: or othe- common carriers which enter
4 the state ct any point. The two COM
missions created by the act will have
most sweeping powers in regulating the
L corpora tons affected.
II The bill which was urged by Gov.
Hughes, reached its final passage in the
face Of the most bitter and determined
opposition on the part of the strong and
wealthy corporations which will feel
the weight of the regulations it i'm
L poses.
Under the new law two boards of five
members each, all of whom are to be
appointed by the governor will have
complete control Of the regulations
governing the transportation and light
ing facilities of the state. One of the
commissions will have jurisdiction in
the four counties composing the Great
er New York and the other in all the
other counties of the state. 1t will be
for these two bodies to compel all cor
| 70 tyiy-
/ service at just and reasonable rates; to
prevent all rebates and determinations
in passenger or other kinds of traffic;
| to compel all common carriers to have
sufficient cars and motive power to
| meet all requirements for the transpor-
ta:ion of passengers and property
which may be reasonably anticipated,
and to see that every common carrier
be held specifically liable for loss or
damage due to delay in transit occa-
stoned by negligence.
The bill prohibits the giving of free
passes except in a few limited in
stances 1t provides also that no fran
chise shall be capitalized in excess of
the amount actually paid to the state
as consideration for the grant of the
franchise; that the capital stock of a
|
consolidation of two or more corpora
tons so consolidated at their par value,
or such sums and any additional sums
actually paid in cash, nor shall any
contract for consolidation or lease be
capitalized in the stock of any cOrpor-
alton whatever; nor shall any corpor-
alton hereafter issue any bonds against
or as a lien upon any contract for con-
solidation or merger"
1t is provided also that no corporation
shall purchase or hold stock in anoth-
| er such corporation or common carrier
unless authorized by the commission.
4 The following Saving clause" pro-
/ tects interests and proceedings insur-
ing the change of powers and jurisdic-
| tons:
Section s.. Pending actions and
I nrocoedmg-thi act shall rot affect
/ pending actions or proceedings, civil
or criminal brought by or against the
\ board Of railroad commissioners or the
! commission Of gas and electricity Of
the board Of rapid transit road commits
\ sinners, but the same may be prosecut-
1 ed or defended in the name Of the pub
I lie commission provided the subject
matter thereof is within the statutory
| jurisdiction of such commission. Any
1 investigation, examination or proceed
I ing under the action, commenced or in
l stitutCd ~ the said boards or commits
l siuners or other of them prior to the
4 taking effect Of this act may be in
1 Quoted AMI continued to a final deter
1 mination by the proper public service
commission in the same manner, under
the same terms and conditions and
with the same effect rs though sucl
boards or commissions had not beer
I abolished"