New-York tribune., 1908-03-20
P. S. LAW AMENDMENTS.
Embodied in Page ain7U7ght Bill
May Prolong Session.
NV Telesyaph TO The Tribune.

IRv Tele o Tribune.
Albany March 19-Amendments to the Pcohc
Service commissions law of year putting tele-
graph and telephone companies, ferry companies
stage lines and and electric CONDUIT companies
under the jurisdiction of the commissions were
Introduced to-day by Senator Page. who fathered
last years law, and Assemblyman Wainwright
chairman of the Committee on Railroads IN the
House
Besides these important additions to the powers
of the commissions. this bill makes general changes
I'm the existing law TO make more DEFINITE ana
specific certain obscure points and to provide
authority and facilities which several months trial
OF the law by the commissions has shown 10 pe
lacking This is true especially Of that section OF
the law regarding jurisdiction over lighting com
panies, which practically has been redrafted
This bill drawn to meet the recommended
tions in the Governors annual message and those
in the reports of the Public Service commissions
Members of the two commissions. Senator rage
and the counsel to the Governor have been getting
the measure into shape for several days.
OF the main features of this bill and
those which will the most objection are
those adding to the present duties Of the commits
sons The supervision of telegraph and telephone
companies, ferry and stage lines. 1t is predicted
that much opposition as was advanced by
the railroad companies last year will be put for
ward by the telegraph and telephone companies
Many of the legislators, too, are not especially
pleased that this important question should be
brought up now, since it will prolong the session
indefinitely, and they want to finish business and
get home to their political preserves, which may
need attention.
Generally speaking under the provisions of the
Page Wainwright bill, telegraph and telephone
companies required TO give safe and adequate
service, to make just and reasonable charges and
unjust discrimination unreasonable preference
is forbidden. Rates schedules must be filed with
the commissions and open TO public inspection.
As franchises and privileges. transfer and
ownership Of franchises and stock. issuance of
of f,,Ja faIn and
cess to records and evidence the commissions have
the powers with respect to telegraph and
telephone companies which they now possess as TO
railroads. street railroads, and electrical cor
porations
There provisions empowering the COM
missions to bring actions for judicial decree of
forfeiture invalidated or unused franchises;
also giving jurisdiction conduit and duct COM
panes which do not manufacture, sell or dis
tribute electricity, but merely provide duets for
holding and carrying the wires OF other companies
used either for the transmission Of electricity for
light, heat and power. for telegraphic or tele-
phonic communication. To facilitate the work of
the commission in taking evidence provision Is
made for special examiners. who to certify to
the commission the evidence taken.
One section OF the bill is designed TO settle
a vexng point TO which commission should ex-
ercse jurisdiction in certain 1t provides that
where majority OF either commission shall GER
tify that there is question Of jurisdiction be-
tween the two commissions In a particular case, a
Joint order the commissions. II concurred in
by six commissioners, shall be sufficient to settle
the question and designate which commission is TO
handle the case.
important provision Is inserted to enable the
Public Service Comrpssion for the 1st District
proceed against the street railroad corpora toEs
in New York City for the forfeiture OF the rights
which they claim certain streets in the down.
town section. If the commission having jurisdc-
ton decides that the corporation Is exercising a
franchise without authority of law has aban-
doned the franchise does not all any
part of the franchise. then the commission may
without leave of court other authority begin
action for the forfeiture of the franchise. The
amendment specifically provides that the occa-
of such franchise part of a franchise for
other purpose than the adequate satisfaction of the
public need shall not be construed as saving the
corporation from forfeiture.
It is specifically provided that the determinations
of the commission hearing as TO the maximum
fares be charged over route shall control, not
vithstandng that another different rate has
been heretofore authorized by statute, and power
is specifically given to start on the commissions
own motion a proceeding for such determination
of what shall be the maximum fare. The power
of the commission to prescribe joint fares over
connecting lines controlled by the corporal alton
is made unauestionably TO apply to cases where the
two lines connect by transfer.