The Brunswick news. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 1906-2016, 1907-05-15
n. Y. BILL MAY Y
Be DUPLICATED
PUBLIC UTILITY BILL IS NOW BE
ING PROPOSED IN STATE
GF GEORGIA.

nal will be of dAep interest in this
Wy as well as ther sections of
the state of Geor y:
The public. ut les bill now un-
der discussion By New York leg
islature is attracting widespread at
tention among the politicians and
students of economic questions in
Georgia. The measure aims to cor
rect in News York state many of the
abuses and eveils so thorough
iy aired during the recent guberna-
.orial campaign in Georgia, and ther.
is said to be a possibility if not
probability, OF a similar bill beins
presented to the Georgia Legislature
when 1t meets In June.
Th reform. forces OF Georgia, lead
ed by Governorelect ~ ke smltk, a.,
Watching with interq the progress
II the public utilitiks bill in &eN
York. A story in Il current issu~
of Golfers dealing Eh the measure
and outlining and al kSzing the ep
position 20 It's enactmey has invltev
= general discussion an NOg the ie
1orm element that will dola Nate ia,
general assembly.
There are many Georgians who Acx
press the belief that the New YcIA
oill offers a solution Of the railSGaD
question in Georgia, and, as stt5ed.
,t Is not improbable that a reform
measure similar in many respects
Nill be presented to the Legislature
IN June, backed by the reform for
ces.
According to Golfers the public
abilities bill provides for the creation
Vi a commission with unlimited pow
er.
1t can order devices, changes In
equipment or regulation of employ
ees considered necessary for the pas
sengers safety, examine all papers,
records or books of any person o.
company engaged in public service
Its consent is necessary to all fran
chises, capitalizations, issues Of stocn
leases transfers or mergers.
1t controls train schedules, fixes
new rates for transportation of pas
sengers or freight or for gas or cleo
lrIc light when the old are found un
Just, sets the standard of electr.
voltage or gas purify.
When the number of cars or the
amount of motive power is inadequat-
1t can order an adequate increas
IS well as repairs and improyemeA
and extra sidlngs where the demand
warrant them.
Impartiality to shippers Is assured
Freight buiks shall not be broken en-
route. NO matter how many roads /
passes over, consignment must 80
continuously to It's destination.
ANY acuon brought in the court
Dy the commission against the corpo.
alton must have precedence over d
civil cases. except those concerning
octions. This puts an end to lega
delay.
For every failure to comply with
The law or the rulings of the commits
sion, the limit of the fine for raii
roads and street car lines is $500
| and for gas and alactric comnania.
81, 900. Each succeeding day of non
compliance shall constitute a sepa
rate offense.
The proposed bill gives the gov
ernor the power of appointment ana
provids a salary of $4,000 per yeal
for each member of tn commission.
Under the Georgia law, recently ell
acted, the members Of the railroad
commission are elected by the people.
There is no disposition among the
reformers to change this method, nor
has there been up to date any SER
ious consideration of state control OF
electric, gas and street railroad com
panies.
Georgia reformers who have studied
I%Ae New York bill believed that IL
can be boiled down to apply to Geor-
gia and will fit the case like "the
aper on the wall"
80 $50 Fasr2ch bill is offered, 1t
-