Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-03-13
FOR CONTROL OF
PUBLIC UTILITIES
Bill Drafted Regulating Certain
District Corporations.
FAVORED BY committee
Changes May Be Made in Minor
Details.
PROVISION FOR A COMMISSION
Extensive Powers Granted for Super
vision of Railway, Telegraph,
Gas and Electric Companies.
FAVORED BY Committee
Changes May Be Made in Minor
Details.
PROVISION FOR A COMMISSION

Copies of a committee print of the pub
lie utilities commission bill prepared by
Chairman Smith of the House District
committee. were distributed to the vari-
Gus members of the committee today for
their considera ton. The measure will be
taken up for discussion and possible action
at the regular meeting of the District
committee Thursday of next week.
The members of the committee are
practically unanimous in their support of
the general idea of the measure and 1t
merely remains to perfect the details of
the proposed legislation. 1t has come
to be believed that the District of Column
bia is probably more in need of public
utilities commission than any other city,
big or little. in the country. owing to
the peculiar form of government which
obtains here making the Congress of the
United States practically the board of
aldermen of this community. And as TINS
particular board of aldermen happens 10
be more interested in what is gong on
outside of the District of Columbia than
in it. ii Is argued that a public utilities
commission, composed of men OF the nigh
est standard and empowered to make
rules and regulations for the government
of the public service corporations OF the
National capital, would not only be a
great boon to the community, but would
be to the interests Of local corporations
who are now threatened from one year
: to another with all sorts OF radical propo-
sitions before Congress-.
The public utilities bill before the Dis
trict committee, and which mas just Deen
printed, is entitled "A bill to define Pubic
service agencies in the District OF GOWN
tion, to create a public service commits
sion in and for the District of Columbia,
to define its powers and duties and 10
provide for the regulation and controi
of public service agencies. ETC.
Public Service Agencies.
Section / declares every person, part
nership. joint stock company association
OF corporation, who, as owner, operator
lessee, agent, receiver or trustee, is en-
gagged In the manufacture of gas or elec-
tricity, or in the transportation of passen-
gers. or in the receipt or transmission
of messages. ETC., Is public service
agency within the meaning of the act.
Section makes it the duty and obli-
cation of such public service agencies
10 supply to any and all persons. to
each other and the public applying for
sucn commodities, transportation, storage.
transmission or services, the service ana
commodities of their respective call1ngs,
for a reasonable compensation and with
out discrimination. and prohibits every
unrea sonable charge and discrimination
Section three creates 1.-The public service
commission of the District of Columbia"
TO carry out and require obedience to
this act to the full extent that Congress
has power to delegate its authority. sub
ject to the Constitution of the United
States. The said commission shall con-
sist of three members, to be appointed
by the President by and with the advice
and consent of the Senate, for the term
of five years. Those commissioners first
appointed shall be appointed to serve for
three. four and five years. respectively.
Each commissioner shall draw an annual
salary of $500 Two members of said
commission shall constitute a quorum.
Personnel of Commission.
That of the said commissioners one
shall be an actual bona fide resident Of
the District of Columbia for a period Of
five years next preceding his appoint
ment. and who has been engaged in the
active practice of the law for five years
in the District of Columbia; one of ex-
peIience as a publc-service accountant
and the other duly qualified to construct
and valuei the properties of public service
corporations
That. subject to the penalties in this
act provided. no person in the employ of
or holding any official relation to or
owning stocks or bonds in or who is in
any manner connected with the operation
or any such public service agency shall
be eligible to be commissioner or an
empioye of said commission: nor shall any
person holding the Office of commissioner
or employe of said commission. person
ally or in connection with a partner or
agent, render any professional service for
or make or perform any business contract
win any such public service agency relat-
ing 10 the business thereof. except con-
tracts for private and personal service. as
he pubic NAV, nor shall such person
receive. directly or Indirectly from any
such pubic service agency and commits
sion' present. reward or gratuity. .
Control Of Public Agencies.
That after reasonable notice hearing
and investigation, the commission shall
have power and authority. by order to
require obedience to the duty. obligat ton
ana requirement in this act mentioned by
every such public service agency and
others who are or may be affected by any
order made by said commission.
THE commission shall also have power
and authority to make such reasonab BILE
rules and regulations respecting every
such public service agency as il may deem
necessary for the information OF or as
sistance 10 the commission. or TO secure
10 the public compliance by said agency
with the duty, obligation and require
ment in this act mentioned.
1t shall be the duty OF every such
public agency and others to obey the
orders. rules and regulations of the sal
commission, and by the direction of said
commission to perform the duty. obliga-
ton and requirements of this act and it
shall be unlawful. under the penalties in
this act provided. TO neglect. omit fail,
or refuse to perform or comply with the
same.
The commission may grant a rehear-
ing in any case. and may at any time
amend. modify, alter or revoke any order
made by it,.
THE commission shall have power
from time TO time to change. alter, or
amend its said rules and regulations.
THE commission is hereby authorized
and given power to enforce its orders.
rules and regulations by any proper legal
or equitable remedy in any court of COM
petent jurisdiction.
Production OF Books.
The commission and each commissioner
shall have power to administer oaths. is