Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-03-08

clli cSSlSleiilI Niti N bS PAbOV. II - AVlll
mission has the right TO employ expert
and professional assistance in making
inVestiga tions. The commission has
the right to require informa ton, reports
and uniform accounts from all public
utilities 10 insure proper investigation
If the business of these companies.
The various public utilities such as
TRANSFORMATION companies, street rail-
roads, express companies, common car
ricrs gas companies. telegraph and
telephone companies. water companies,
vessels, whariingers and Warehouscmcn.
are defined in a series of definitions
taken from the HerSey bill.
Every public utility is required 70
furnish facilities that are safe. reason
able and adequate. And the rates and
criEl;nation.
Every public utility is required to
file a schedule of its rates under the
direction OF the commission. and any
changes in such schedules can be made
only with the permission of the com
mission.
Competitive Charters
Section one of chapter 81 Of the re-
vised statutes is amended in one very
important feature SO that telephone
and telegraph, gas and electric com
panies. seeking competitive charter
must first secure the consent of the
public utilities commission before
making application to the legislature
and no such consent shall be granted
until the commission certifies that
public convenience and necessity re-
quire such second public utility.
AS to rates it is provided that it is
unlawful for public utility to estab-
Iish rates that shall be in anyway
discriminatory or preferential ga And
no public utility may make or receive
any rebate in rates excepting in the
cases of charitable and benevolent in
situations and even ,nese cases re-
quire the consent of the commission.
Loss of Human Life.
. Investigation OF accidents resulting
IN the loss of human lie in the prem
ises of a public utility is made obliga-
tory upon the commission. Accidents
resulting in damage to property and
personal injury may be investigated
If the commission deems necessary.
Every public utility is required to file
reports Of such accidents by telephone
or telegraph followed by a detailed
written report. The present statutory
provision requiring county attornies
10 investigate railway accidents is re-
pcaIed
Issue of Stocks and Bonds.
Any public utility may issue stocks.
bonds notes or other evidences of in
dchtedness payable in less than Il
months without the approval of the
commission. This provides for tenn
poraIy loans III emergencies. but such
temporary loans cannot be refunded
without the approval of the commits
sion. For all such evidences of in
debtedHess payable beyond period
of II months The public utility must
obtain the consent OF the commission
and specify the purposes for which
the funds are intended. The commits
sion mas absolute control of all dfvi-
dends to be declared by public utili-
ty companies.
Cases of Emergency.
In cases Of emergency the eommis-
sion has full power, temporarily to
alter. amend or suspend existing
rates, schedules or orders thus al
lowing the commission to use its judg-
ment in cases of serious accident or
disaster TO the plant of a public utiii-
ty company.
Every public utility, corporation or,
person failing to observe the orders
and regulations of the commission
shall be liable to punishment for CON
tempt. Any officer, agent or employee
of a public utility who shall wilfully
fail or refuse to return blanks and in
formation required, or who refuses to
exhibit books and accounts. or to keep
the uniform system of accounting re-
CURED shall be punishable by a fine
of not exceeding $1,000 for each Of
Tense. And if any public utility will
fully violates any provision of this
act it shall forfit into the State treas
ury not more than $1,000 for each Of
Tense. and every day during which
this offense continues shall constitute
a separate and distinct offense under |
the statute. The penalty for issuing |
stocks, bonds, notes or other evidences |
Of Indebtedness contrary to this act |
is Imprisonment in the State prison !
for not less than one year nor more |
than ter years, and any officer or |
agent who knowing or wilfully makes |
any false statement in this particular |
shall be liable to fine of $500 and |
in the State prison for
not less than one year
Application to Legislature.
No public utility shall apply to the |
for any rights, privileges ;
)r imunities which the commission
has power to grant il until it first |
shall have exhausted its rights in that
behalf before the commission and in |
making such application to the legis
ature it must make a written state
ment that its application has been
denied by the commission
In Effect July First, 1918.
This act takes effect July first, 1913,
Or as soon afterwards as the consti-
tuition allows. so far as the appoint
nent of the appointment of the com
,,ission and clerks is concerned All