Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-06-06
R-REACH|NGREFORM
So-CaIIed Public Utilities Bill
Signed by Hughes.
MANY NOTABLE CHANGES
Most Drastic Law Ever Passed by q
Legislature.
STATE AND MUNICIPAL PLANS
Four Of tho Most Important New
York Commissions to Pass
Out Of Existence.
MANY NOTABLE CHANGES
STATE AND MUNICIPAL PLANS

ALBANY, N. Y, June 8-The so-called
public utilities bill was signed today by
Gov. Hughes. This bill is probably one of
| the most far-reaching reform measures
ever passed by an American legislature.
1t places under direct state control every
public-service corporation, great or small.
In the state Of New York, with the excep-
ton Of the telephone and telegraph. It
applies not only to the railroads, street
| railway and subway lines. express COM
panies and gas and electric lighting COM
panies doing business exclusively in the
state but to the business within this state
OF all railroads of other common carriers
which enter the state at any point.
The two commissions created by the act
VIII nave most sweeping powers In regulat-
Ing the corporations affected: The bill.
which was urged by Gov. Hughes, reached
It's final passage in the face of the most Bit
ter and determined opposition. It was
Fought from first to last by representatives
OF many OF the tremendously strong and
wealthy corporations which will feel the
weight Of the regulations 1t imposes
For days In the two branches of the legis-
lature the most bitter denunciations were
heaped upon the measure. When finally 1t
was forced through the assembly and the
senate 1t was sent back for reconsideration
with the veto of Mayor Mcclellan Of New
YORK city. to whom it went under the law
which provides that all laws directly af-
fecting the city must be passed upon by
the mayor. Then came further debating in
the state capitol, resulting in the passage Of
the bill over the mayors veto.
New Boards Established.
Under the new law four of the most i'm
portant state commissions will pass out of
existence. In their place will be two
boards of five members each, all of whom
are to be appointed by the governor. and
these boards will have complete control Of
the regulations governing the transporta-
ton and lighting facilities of the state
One of the commissions will have jurisdic-
ton In the four counties composing the
Greater New York. and the other will have
under its direction all the other counties
Of the state.
These two bodies will have complete and
free-handed control and will be held to en-
force the regulations provided for in the
measure. 1t will be for them to compel all
corporations to give safe and adequate
service at just and reasonable rates; to
prevent all rebates and discrimination In
rates between different classes of shippers
or passengers or kinds OF traffic; to COM
pei all common carriers to have sufficient
cars and motive power to meet all require
ments for the transportation Of passengers
ana property which may be reasonably an
ticipated, and to see that every common
carrier be held specifically liable for all
loss or damage due to delay In transit be-
cause of negligence.
a Ban on Free Passes.
The bill prohibits giving of free passes
except in few limited cases. 1t provides
also that no franchise 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
corporation formed by the merger or con-
solidaton of two or more corporations
shall not exceed the sum OF the capital
stock OF the COrDOratiOnS consolidated al
their par value, or such sums any any ad-
their par value. or such sums and any ad-
shall any contract for consolidation or
lease be capitalized in the stock of any
corporation whatever: nor shall any cor
pOraton hereafter issue any bonds against
a lien upon any contract for con-
solidation or merger"
shall purchase or hold stock In another
such corporation or common carrier unless
authorized by the commission.