The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1911-01-16
THE PUBLIC UTILITIES BILL

When the Iowa legislature con-
yenes tomorrow Senator j. Il. Sammis
OF Plymouth county viii introduce q
bib providing for the establishment OF
q public service commission 10 nave
power over all utility corporations
such as water companies. gas. tele-
phones, etc, the same as the present
board OF railroad commissioners has
control over railroads and express
companies
Senator Sammis' bin will provide
that the commission shall be conpos-
ed OF FIVE members. three OF whom
shall be the three present railroad
commissioners until the expiration Of
their terms OF Office. such expiration
extended D. the bill sufficiently to
make the terminal Of ofice uniform.
II provides the other tEo members
shall be appointed By the governor.
Il provides the commission shall meet
At the capitol OF the state ana Or
ganIze by eIectiug chairman. and
shall enter upon the performance OF
their duties July /, 1911. The meas
ure provides that al that time the
board OF railroad commissioners shall
cease 10 exist anu all its documents
files and records shall De transferred
70 the commission TO be created
TIE bin provides that the governor
shall appoint the two new members
Of the commission before the adjourn
ment of the present general assembly
for the approval OF the senate It
provides that these TWO shall not be
OF the same political party. II is
then provided that al each succeeding
general assembly the governor shall
appoint members Of the commission
for the term Of six years.
The bill provides that tie governor
may ar any time remove any member
for ineficiency, neglect Of dEty or
malfeasance ia Office. The salaries
fixed for commissioners is ss,5Oa per
annum The Jurisdiction, super
vision, powers and duties Of the pub
lie service commission are 10 extend
under this act TO all railroads. inter
urban railroads. express companies.
car companies. sleeping car compan-
les, freight line companies, any com
mon carrier. city railroads. gas com-
panies, electric companies, light. light
ing. heat, or power companies ard
/ water works companies.
I The measure also gives the COM
mission power to appoint an attorney
and counsellor at Law, a secretary.
clerk. inspector. experts and enployes.
! II provides all proceedings, documents
1 and records shall be public records.
1t gives the commission power to sub
poens and compel the attendance and
testimony OF witnesses and the pro-
duction Of books, papers, records. and
documents, as courts OF record and
t Witnesses shall be paid the same fees
as for attendance thereat. The meas
ure provides that public companies
coming under the provisions of the
law shall file with The commission
schedules showing tie tariffs. rateg.
lois, and charges here in the state for
All commodities on service furnished
the public. IT also provides that each
corporation or municipality under itg
control must file annually a statement
showing the amount of it's authorized
capital stock and the amount thereof
issued and outstanding; the amount
of its bonded Indebtedness, and the
amount of its bonds and other form
of Indebtedness issued and outstand.
ing; its receipts anu expenditures
during the preceding yesr: the amonnt