The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-06-28
THE HUDSON BILL

The Judson bill concerning the regulation and supervision of public service corporations, having passed the House and the Senate, will be en- grossed and sent to the governor, who will undoubtedly sign the bill since he has already announced his ap- proval of it, and since 1t has been amended to meet his views in certain particulars. The bill, while less sweeping than such legislation in some other states, will be found. as a law, to confer greater benefits up- on the people than any legislation that has got through the general as- sembly in many years.
 Under the supervision of the bili are ,alr gas water and electric light eompa nies, all trolley and steam rail- road companies, and all express com panies having special rights on trolley lines, or railroad lines.
 The supervisory power is lodged in three commissioners, who are nomi- mated by the governor and appointed by the General Assembly, at a salary of s5,000 per annum. They take over all the power O fthe railroad com mission, which is abolished.
 The commission has full inquisitor- ial powers, including the right to en- ter upon any premises controlled by public service corporations and to cal for persons and papers.
 The commission is required to keep fully informed as to the plant, equip ment and manner of operation of public service companies. and may order such reasonable changes as it may believe necessary for public safe ty or for the health or safety of said employees.
 Any person, or any town, city or borough may make complaint and be. heard relative to dangerous defects in the plant or equipment of any pub lie service company. An order of the commission in this connection must be obeyed or penalty of S1,000 may be inflicted and double damages re- failure to obey.
 Pubic service companies must re- port all accidents in which anybody is injured or public safety is in-. volved.
 The commission must examine into the cause of all such accidents.
 The office of inspector general of gas is abolished and his duties are invested in the commission, which has power to fix the standard of quality and illumina ting power of gas. and to fix the initial efficiency of electric lamps and to make orders regarding the pressure at which gas, and the voltage at which electricity shall be distributed.
 Any consumer of gas, water or elec- tricity- may have his meter inspected upon payment of a small fee, which is refunded if the meter is too fast. Gas meters may show error of two
 
 water meters four per cent.
 Where railroad or trolley lines owned by different parties do not form a continuous line the commis- and may fix the division of rates be- tween the competing companies. 1- All public services must maintain adequate plant or equipment. Com plaint of insufficient service may be made by the town, city or borough, or by ten patrons of the offending company.
 Rates effecting many persons will be considered upon complaint as above. The commission may fix a rate if it finds the one complained of unreasonable.
 Tn the case of water, gas or elec- tric light companies any person may complain if the company shall un- reasonably refuse to furnish adequate service at reasonable rates, and the commission may order reasonabl service and fix the rate. . The principal omission from the Judson bill is its failure to include an adequate provision to prevent stock watering. The Senate has passed a bill aimed at stock watering, but it is doubtful if the bill provides for effec- tive regulation of securities by pub lie services.
 A most valuable section of the bill provides for full reports of the con- duct of public service corporations, financial and otherwise. Railroads report as in form provided by the Inter State Commerce Commission
 The commission is required to re- port once year to the governor. The | act takes effect 60 days after it's pas sage, excepting that the commission CTS may be appointed Immediately.
 The bill is an excellent beginning in the domain of public service regu- iatfon and when it is signed by the governor sTest results may Se expect ed from it.
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