New-York tribune., 1909-03-16
P. S. AMENDMENTS In
STIFFEN PRESENT CASE.
Telephone, Telegraph and Ferry
Com panies To Be Included.
rBy Telegraph to The Tribune ]

Albany March l5.-BuIs amending the Public Ser
vcec commissions Ia by including telephone. tele-
graph and ferry companies under the Jurisdiction
OF those commissions, and generally stifening the
administrative features OF the law relative gas
electric light corporations were introduced IN
both houses tonight There two bills One re-
lates 20 the telephone and telegraph companies,
giving the commissions power Of regulation over
those corporations similar 70 that held over
railroad and street railway concerns. Senator Davis
and Assembyman Francis presented that one SEN
ator Davis also introduced a second bill amending
the present law generally with regard TO many de-
tails. Assembyman Phillips viii introduce it in the
lower house tomorrow.
Othe- Public Service commissions legislation. en-
bracing amendments 70 the railroads Law and the
general transportation corporations Law. pre-
sented by the consolidated statutes. is before
the judiciary Committee OF each house for con
sideration.
In general these two bills embrace the pro
visions Of the legislation defeated last year The
most notable feature Of the general bill in its ap-
pIication to New York city is a Strengthening and
broadening Of the powers of the commissions 70
force Joint rates and transfers from street railways
This provision of the legislation was forecast in
The Tribune a week ago. The necessity Tor II
arose when the surface railway system dsiu-
teCrated under a series OF receiveUshps. and law
yers for the various companies questioned the COM
missions right TO enforce general transfer sys-
TEN.
AMBIGUITY CLEARED Up
The bill introduced tonight not only clears UP the
slight ambiguity in the present law, but gives the
commissions authority order Joint rates and
transfers 10 compel the giving of transfers be
tween independent companies, and to regulate the
issuance of transfers by any company
Boats and vessels operated by or In connection
with any railroad where both are used under
common control for continuous carriage are placed
urder the jurisdiction Of the commissions The
commissions are authorized 10 prosecute an action
in the name the people vacate the charter and
the franchises OF any public service corporation
within their Jurisdiction in the corporation has
forfeited its privileges by failure to exercise us
powers within the time prescribed by Law. or where
mart Of A franchise has been used. forfeit IL
for the same cause TO the unused portion
The section prohibiting passes and reduced fares
on railroads is amended as 10 permit the trans
portation Of children under i've years of free.
children under twelve years OF age at half fare,
and to authorize school Communication tickets AZ
less than adult rates. and where Communication or
mileage tickets sold 10 prevent unreasonable
discrimination as against any person or locality
The provision relative TO through routes and rates
is amended to provide that the corporations shall
agree as 10 the division Of rates. that the COM
missions jurisdiction To determine in case
Of disagreement and when the commissions think
that through cars should be operated over steam
railroads and street railroads meeting at common
points they are to receive jurisdiction after hear
ing TO issue orders accordingly
GAS PROVISIONS MORE RIGID
Changes in the provisions regarding gas and cleo
tric companies also are important The comTnls-
sfons' powers of control over those corporations
never we're so rigid railroads and street
RAILWAYS This bill stiffens those provisions 50
that they are as rigid those referring TO the rail-
roads and the commissions expect somewhat less
trouble in dealing with the lighting companies II
this bill passes
Every gas and electrical corporation is required
To furnish instrumentalites and facilities which
shall be safe adequate. lust and reasonable. and
the companies are required to make uniform
charges Special rates rebates etc, are prohibited.
and the companies are forbidden TO grant any un-
due or unreasonable preference advantage TO any
person corporation locality. The same power IS
given the commissions TO investigate rates or
charges OF gas and electric companies as hereto
fore exercised in the case OF common carriers and
10 require such companies to file schedules. Gas
and electrical corporations are also put on tbs
same footing with common carriers and railroads
So far as the power of the commissions 20 conduct
hearings as to the advsabihty Of any proposed
change in the law is concerned.
C'onduits and ducts containing conductors for TN
transmission of light heat and power are donned L
he within the meaning Of the term electric plant.