The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-05-28
PUBLIC UTILITIES MEASURE
 DRAFTED BY STATE BUSINESS
 MEMS ASSOCIATION BEST YET
Legislative Committee Authorized to Prepare This Bill Considered Fair to the People and Corporations Provides for Commission of Five Adequately
 Paid Men to Be Appointed by the Governor

similar accidents may be avoided in the future.
 The bill provides for the inspection Of gas. electric and water meters by the commission upon the petition of any consumer upon payment of nom lnal lee. It also gives the commission power to require connecting lines to furnish through transportation at joint rates and to require trolley companies to operate over their lines the cars of connecting trolley companies. It is thought that this provision will make It possible for Independent trolley com oanies to be organized for country lines. and to obtain terminal facilities in the cities where the cities are al- ready occupied by another company. May Fix Rates. The bill also provides that the com mission may fix rates when existing rates are unreasona ble, and gives the commission authority to acquire the extension of water. gas. electric or telephone service under such conditions as the commission shall find reason able after hearing all parties in inter- est The bill follows the New York law with reference to the supervision of the issue of stock and bonds. It was believed by the Business Mems Association that the New York law has proved successful, and that 1t can be adopted in Connecticut to advant age.
 The bill also requires all public ser vice corporations to render annual re- ports to the commission in the same manner as reports are now rendered to the railroad commission by railroads and street railways and provides that the commission may examine the plants and audit the books of these compan- ies when 1t deems such action neces- sary, and that it shall make such ex- an1Dations and audits when so requiT- ed by the Governor.
 Appeal From Commission. An appeal is provided from all acts of the commission on the question of legality only to the Superior court. The act expressly provides that it shall not be construed to authorize the interference by the commission in any n,anner with contracts between pub lie service companies and their em- ployes.
 The utmost enthusiasm was shown at the meeting, and various means of presenting the subject to the general public were discussed. Under the leadership of President A. R. Jones and Chairman Allen. of. the Legfsla- tive committee, an aggressive cam paign in favor of this "State Business Mems Bill" will be pursued
 The State Business Mems Associa- ton represents about forty local asso- citations in various parts of the State, iirOfIiuIuS ONSI 4,UVU OUS1ilGSS 1ITI1lS- e1IiO these associations will take up the question actively in their localities.
 Among those showing an active in- terest at the meeting were former Governor Rollin S Woodruff, Senator Charles S. Peck of Danbury. Senator M. W. Manwaring of Bridgeport, Rep resentatives George B. Chandler of Rocky Hill, and Imcius E. whiton of New London. J. Arthur Allen, State vice president. of New London; Attor- ney Ralph O. Wells of this city. who Is 8 member of the State Legislative committee, and actively concerned in the construction of the bill. replied to numerous questions asked, and ex- plained the various sections of the bill. S. E. Vincent, chairman of the commit tee which drew the Bridgeport bill'', was also present, and aided in the gen. eral discussion.
 President Jones was empowered to appoint a publicity committee and the new bill will be at once placed be- fore the various associations in printed form.