The Hawaiian gazette., 1913-04-08
(From Sunday Advertiser)

sanity has at last appeared IN inc
clouds of discussion and statcsmanship
that have been lavished by the legisla'
ture on the question of a public utii-
tiles commission, Senator Baldwin yes
to-day having introduced another meas
uro with that object in view.
At first glance there is Il substantial
between the Baldwin Bill
and the Rice and Metzger Bills which
proceeded il. This distinction is one of
about eighty pages. The Rice Bill stag.
gcred through eighty. eight pages of
printed matter and arrived somewhere
in the ncighborhood Of the object which
it is believed the Balda in Bill arrives
at in four and half.
In every respect the difference be.
tween the bill Just introduced, which,
IL is understood, was drafted by spc.
cial committee from the chamber of
commerce and the merchants associa-
ton, and those which were "swipcd "
from the rrieved statute books of Cali
fornia is pointed.
Big Reduction in Expense.
Instead of pushing bewil1crcd Ter
ritory to tho edoe of bankruptcy with a
carte blanche that made possible the ex.
penditure of 100000 year, the modest
sum of $1,000 is allowed the commission
for two years. The commissioners, in
stead of being appointed or elected, are
neither. hut are the three principal de-
partment heads.
The commissioners will have no pow
or to force their conclusions on the pub.
lie utility corporations. which in many
instances, ms pointed out in the senate
Yesterday. would conflict with govern
mept. granted franchises and he likely
TO tic IN all utilities in the Territory.
Its principal weapon is n complete and
compulsory publiritv, both for the com
pauv and the public. Any individual
on . sworn complaint, may start an in
vestigation.
The bill worthy of reproduction, ms
loubtedlv give the most consideration
to, in full is as follows:
proposed utilities Bill.
"Section |. There is hereby created
board Of public utilities, to consist OF
the secretary of the Territory, the at
torney.gencral, and the superintendent
of nnhlic works, all ex oflicio.
"Section 9. Such board shall have
.hc general supervision hereinafter sci
forth over all public utilities doing bust
ness in the Territory of Hawaii, anl
shall perform the duties and exercise
the powers Nv this act conferred.
uSection 3. Such hoard shall prepare
and prescnt to the Governor in thu
month of January in each year re
! mort respecting its action during TIM
preceding calendar wear, together WIFI
It's recommendation respecting legisla
I,tion. copies of which shall be rurnishe,
| TO the legislature. The first report shat
he presented in the month OF January
1914. and shall cover the actions OF tn,
board during the calendar year OF l9l5
Citizens Can Flo Complaint.
u'Seetion A. Such boarc shall hav'
mower TO examine into the condition o
each public utility doing business u
the Territory. the manner in which l
/ is operated with reference to the saiet'
or accommodation of the public, an
concerning it's compliance with all az
pIicablc territorial and federal laws an
! with tho provisions of its franchise
/ charter and articles of association.
any: including power to investigat
rates. fares, charges, classiheation'
rules. regulations, practices and serSle.
and all matters of every nature ahec'
inc tho relation between the public an
/ the public utility. Any such invest'ga
tion, NAV be made by the board on 1t
own motion, and shall he made whc
requested by the public utility to be eS
amined. or upon complaint being mad
70 the board. in writing and, verified b
the oath of the complainant, settin
forth any prima facie ground OF con
plant. -, ,,,,;o r,nit
shall at all times upon request turns
70 the board any information 1t may II
ouire respecting any of the matters cor
corning which it is given power OF IL
4 yestiration. and shall permit the G.
animation of its books, records, cor
tracts and other documents by I'll
Loard. or any of its members or an
! ncrson authorized by the board in wri
) inc 10 make such examination.
TsSection q. Every public uti n
shall report to the boarl all ac,iden
caused bv or arising in come 'tion Wi
its operations and service, and &
hoard shall investigate the causes
any accident which results in loss
life. and may investigate any other =
: cidents which in its opinion require
vestigation.
"Seetion Z. In all investigator
made by the board, and in all procce
ines before it, said board and each
ITS memt ers shall have the same powe
rcsnecting admin stcr'ng oaths, COZ
. polling the attendance of witnes''
and the production of documentary e'
ticnce and examining witnesses, as a
possessed bv circuit judges at cha'
hers. Tho fees and travelling cSpens
of witnesses shall be the same rs allo
, cd witnesses in the circuit courts a
= shall be paid by the Territory out
= available appropr' ations for the {
= penses OF the hoard.
Z Publicity Required.
:. "Section 8. The rates, fares a
d charges of every public utility shall
o published bv the public utility bon
:, and copies furnished to any person
> request.