The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1908-01-21
BILL READY
FOR PUBLIC
UTILITIES
Martin Introduces Measure
Modelled on New York
Plan of Control.

fitaL tiIif VI OSSCAf LOi lit OSldOtiSliliitA1
Of q public service commission. This
bill prescribes the proposed commits
alon'e powers and duties and provides
for The further regulation and control
OF p1blle services and public utilities,
including common carriers. 1t es-
tablishes a public service commission
consisting of 1--WE members, appointed
by the Governor, with the advice and
consent OF the Senate, the Governor
10 designate the chairman, and he may
remove for ineficiency, neglect of duty
or misconduct in office any commits
sRsioner, after charges and a public
hearing.
rhe first commissioner to be appointed
for two, three. four, five and six years
each; thereafter each commissioner to be
appointed for five years. The commission
may appoint an independent counsel, a
secretary and such officers, clerks, in
spcctors and experts as they may need.
No person holding any official relation to
any common carrier or corporation or
who owns stocks or bonds therein shall
he eligible for a commissioner or official
Hereunder. Meetings to be held at Tren-
ton. Counsel to prosecute all actions and
proceedings. Salaries of commissioners
$500, counsel, 5000; secretary. $500. All
other officers shall receive compensation
fixed by the commission together with
all necessary travelling expenses and dis
bursements.
Every commissioner, counsel or official to
the commission is prohibited from riding
on any pass, the penalty to be removal
from office. The commis sion shall make an
annual report to the Legislature; shall col
leet fees for copies of papers, ETC.; shall
FftF1Ypl tim offan1nf1( nf tuffnRlaaa TT a
witness refuses to answer, application may
be made to a Justice of the Supreme Court
10 compel him to answer. or have him at
1ached for contempt. Immunity extended
10 all witnesses testifying before the COM
mission, except perjury committed before
them. In court proceedings preference to
be given to all proceedings under this act
over all other civil business except cleo
ton causes. The commission may grant
rehearinGs. Provides for the service of the
orders of the commission; when they shall
take effect.
Article 2 provides for safe and adequate
services for freight property or passengers,
and that just and reasonable charges. in
excess Of that allowed by law or order of
the commission is prohibited. I
Provides that railroads must make switch
aud side track connections. Railroads fail
ing to construct or operate after written
application has been made to II, the com
rftiI u lEdIlukt IL Il LntIt-
after 1t shall deem II practicable, it shall
make an order directing the construction
aEd establishment thereof. Specifying a
Reasonable coinpensa ton to be paid for the
construction and maintenance. The COM
loission may also order the discontinuance
Of such connection. Railroads must estab-
lish tariff schedules and publish the same,
with power in the commission to prescribe
by order such changes in the form of such
schedules that may be found to be ex-
pedient, changes in schedules to be only
made on thirty days notice, unless the
commission shall give order for a shorter
notice.
Every common carrier shall file with the
commission sworn copies Of every con-
tract, agreement or arrangement with any
other common carrier relating In any form
10 the transportation of passengers or
freight. There must be no unjust indis-
elimination or unrea sonable preference.
Transportation is prohibited after Novem-
Der !, 1908. until publication of schedules.
All passes prohibited, except to officers,
employees. agents, pensioners, physicians,
atforneys-at-laws and their families, TO
ministers of religion and people engaged in
charitable and eleemosynary, work, etc.
This prohibition not to prevent the Issuing
of mileage, communication or excursion
tickets.
False billing of freight prohibited. All
discrimination prohibited: must not charge
more for a short haul than a long haul.
Commission has authority over the dis
tribution of cars. Every common carrier
Is liable for property in transit and can
not make a contract for exemption from
such liability, nor make contract to load
and unload cars and thus prevent con-
tinuous carriage. and common carriers are
all liable for all damage or injury caused
by the violation of this act.
The commission shall have power to adj
minister oaths and examine witnesses.
bucks and contracts, etc. Common car
riers must make reports annually such as
the commission may require.
Commission TO examine into all acct
dents, ratens and service. Order repairs
or changes. Order changes in time sched-
uies. Order additional cars and trains TO
run. Order uniform system of accounts
To be used by railroads, street railways
or other common carriers and shal nave
access 10 the same, and shall prescribe
the manner of keeping the same. NO com
mon carrier shall make any extension
out permission or approval. Cannot trans
fer any franchise without permission. OF
the commission. Cannot purchase capital
railway without permission of the COM
mission. No stock, bonds or other forms
9t in 3aeDi s1ion Of ea the DC eom rssdsa
For violating any order or direction or
the commission or failing to observe the
san1e. 5000 for each and every ~offense,
and every days continuance thereof shall
be deemed a separate ofense. Every OIL"
rer. agent or person OF any common carrier
who shall violate or who procures, aids or
abets any violation by any common car
rfer of any of the provisions of the act
shall be guilty of a misdemeAnor.
Summary proceedings may be taken Tor
apuroprlafe relief by mandamus or inJunc-
tfon. Corpora tons other than common car
liere shall be fined 81. 900 instead of 5000
FOR violations. and their officers are like
wise guilty Of a m~isdemeanor. Penaltfes
and forfeitures recoverable in any court
Of competent Jurisdiction. Any violation OF
orders or excessive on interstate traffic the
commission may apply by petition TO the
Interstate Commerce Commission Tor re-
lief.
Article 4 applies TO the manufacture and
furnishing Of gas light. heat or power. ana
the furnishing of natural gas and electricity
for light, heat or power, The commission
shall have general power relative 70, the
laying Of pipes. conduits. etc: investigate
the quality OF gas and electricity; order an
necessary improvements OF either mmo
ties; fix the standard of gas; establish reg
ulatioDs as to PRESSURE: prescribe UNIFORM
methods OF keeping accounts. RECORDS ana
hooks: require annual reports to De mace
to the commission; inspect the property,
buildings. etc, and fix a uniform and fea-
sonahle charge for the services rendered.
No corporation shall exercise its franchise
unless the commission grant authority. the
commission must likewise approve issues OF
stocks. bonds aud other forms of indebted
ness; must approve transfers OF franchises;
shall Investigate complaints rs. TO quality
and price Of gas and electricity; shall give
public hearing upon notice. and make order