The Washington herald., 1908-02-13
PUBLIC UTILITY BILL
To Regulate Service COrpO-
ratiOns in Washington.
POWERS FOR COMMISSIONERS
Measure Drafted by Corporation
COUnseI-PubIic service Commits
sion To Settle All Questions and
Have Wide Judiciary POwers-PrO-
visions of Proposed Law.

visions of Proposed Law.
The Distrist Commissioners viii be
clothed with the powers of a public
utilities commission il Corporation Coun-
sci Thomas has his way.
4 bin has been drafted by Mr.. Thomas
at the request Of Commissioner Mac
farland, that will vest the Commissioners
with power TO settle all questions between
the public and the public utilities corpora
tions in the District Recommendations
were made TO Congress 10 that effect by
the Commissioners in their annual re-
port last December
Public Service Commission.
The bill provides for permanent public
service commission in the District OF
Columbia, to have jurisdiction over all
questions concerning gas. telephone. elec-
tricity, light, heat, power. street rail-
ways. and other public utility corpor l.
tons This would be accomplished with
the assistance Of disinterested experts ap-
pointed by the District Commissioners.
The bin says, mo public service cor
poration doing business in the District Of
Columbia shall increase its capital stock
or issue bonds. either directly or Indirect
~. without first obtaining the consent
and approval Of the commission, which
shall first determine the need thereof
and the amount Of the increase 20 be al
lowed. and hereafter every issue of stock
or bonds contrary to the order OF the
! said commission or without such order
shall be invalid and unlawful
Not only will the proposed commission
have the general supervision OF all COM
mon carriers. gas companies and such
/ corporations in the District. but they shall
have power 20 examine the same and
| keep the public informed as to their gen
eral condition, their capitalization and
their franchises. All underhand methods
/ Of increasing capitalization and watering
Of stock shall be closely scrutinized.
Power TO Investigate.
The bin imperauvely states that no
/ person shall be excused from testifyiug
or from. producing any books or papers
in any investigation or inquiry or upon
any hearing before the commission
when ordered TO do So"
No declaration 10y representatives Of
| corporations that testimony or evidence.
books or documents. required af him NAV
tend to incrimuate them or subject them
10 penalties will be accepted No Be--
/ son shall be prosecuted or punished f0r
a Frrsrsa-HIaff.u
| ing which he shall, under oath, have
/ testified or produced documentary evi-
d.nee. No person shall be exempt from
prosecution or punishment for any per-
/ jury committed by him in his testimony.
| Power to require. by subpoena. the 1T
/ tendance and testimony of witnesses is
given the commission. I'm addition 10
/ the power 20 examine all books. con-
tracts. records. documents. and papers
Of any corporation under It's supervision.
| Py the provisions Of the hiIl the com
! mission shall also have power and juris-
/ diction 70 issue and revoke all necessary
/ permits ard licenses. and make alter
~ amend all reasonable rules and regl-
lations concerning public service corpora
| tions.
Annual Reports Required.
All common carriers. gas companies
electric light companies. telephone. rail-
way. and such corporations shall be re-
quired TO submit annual reports 90 the
| commission in addition to the reports
now required by law.
/ Each year the commission shall make
an annual report Of all Of its proceedings
/ to Congress. together with such recon-
mendstlons as it may deem pertinent OF
! necessary.
! Direct power To issue all wTits Of sum-
mons and subpoenas is conferred on the
members Of the commission for cases uu,
der its own jurisdiction. and also power
TO administer Oaths. The bin lays par
| ticular stress on the necessity of swearing
correctly. and any false statements offer
ed in the hearings Of the commission
shall invoke heavy penalty. Perjury is
| especially provided for.
The findings Of the commission shall in
all cases be prima facie evidence Of the
matters therein stated. Hearings may b,
granted by the commission. and any or
der made by it may be amended. modi
fed, or revoked, according TO its pleasure
Punishment Provided For.
All persons and corporations who shal
Violate DfEltCl, tf refuse 10 tDrA any OF
der Of the commission shall be guilty Of z
Imisdemeanor, and shall be punished by
fine of not more than $1,000 or by impris
onment Of not more than one year, or by
both fine and Imprisonment. This apple,
to all persons and corporations who shal
procure, aid, or abet any violation Of an
order Of the commission. AS a means O
enforcing this, recourse TO a legal remedy
such as msndamus I'm any court of com
petent Jurisdiction shall be had.
| Investigations of all accidents on any
railroad or street railway, gas, electri,
light, or telephone company, or Other
public service corporation within the Dis
trict. which results in loss Of life or in
jury to persons or property, shall be ex
pected of the commission. Every com
mon carrier, railroad corporation, anC
street railway corporation. and such shal
be required to give immediate notice Il
the commission Of every accident happen
ing upon any line Of the corporation.
Such notice shall not be admitted a.
evidence or used for any purpose agains
such common carrier. or corporation Civ
ing notice in any suit or action for dam
ages. Right 10 order all Improvement
in regard TO tracks, switches, terminals
motive power, &c. that may be deemed
necessary in the interests of the public
shall be conferred upon the commission.