Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-01-14
HERsEY's UTILITIES BILL.
Continued from Page one.)

ton subject to the control of The com
mission ard any obstruction of such
agents in the performance Of their
official outies is subject to a fine of
not less than 5000 and not more than
500. The commission is given the
same control as = court over witnesses
ard evidence and witnesses are to get
/, the usual court fees. Witnesses ap-
pcering before the commission in a
hearing are subject to Il Jail sentence
for contempt for refusal to answer or
other causes deemed sufficient bv the
commission. No witness can refuse to
testify 10 the commission ON the
ground that such evidence would in
criminate him, but no witness can be
punished for any missdemeanor on his
part which such evidence shall reveal.
Complaints to Commission.
Complaints regarding the acts of a
public utility can be made to the
commission by city council or the mu-
nicipai officers or by petitions signed
. electors. After receiving such com
plant the commission shall notify the
corporation involved and after notice
of ten days appoint a hearing When
the complaint IS sustained the corpora
ton shall pay the expense of the hear
ing or such part as the commission
shall determine. The commission is
given the power to investigate on it's
own initiative. Any corporation dis
obeyng the orders of the commission
is subject to fine of not less than
$500 or more than $500 Tor each Of
Tense and every officer, agent or en-
ployee disobeyine orders Of the COM
mission is subject 10 fine Of not
less than 800 nor more than $500 Tho
attorney general IS given power to APP
peal to the supreme court for The pun
ishment of Il corporation disobevine
orders OF the commission and for tho
enforcement of such orders. All fines
recovered by the commission go direct
To the state treasurer.
Any corporation can appeal to the
supreme court from any decision of the
commission. Sueh an appeal stays the
operation of the commissions order
until the case is decided. but the com
missions orders go into effect five days
after the court renders its verdict. Ali
services and rates OF public utilities
mist be just and reasonable. Debating
is forbidden, under penalty of 4 fine Of
Tot less than 5000 nor more than 500.
Special privileges To any patron are
forbidden under a penalty of a fine of
not less than $500 nor more than $500.
Soliciting of rebates by any person,
firm or corporation is forbidden under
penalty of not less than $5G nor more
than $50. except that free transporta-
ton can be furnished to employees of
railroads and their families; and with
approval Of the commission, pubic
utilities can give free or reduced rates
Of service to municipalities or special
classes OF patrons. posses can be is
sued to newspapers and magazine pub
fishers: corpora tions can also exchange
their services Damages under rulings
of tie commission can be collected
within three years, hut not when they
interfere with penalties due 10 the
state IN case % emergency the COM
mission is given the power To change
rates and services as it sees fit.
Standards Of service are to be de-
termined by the commission whleh
snail dc al testing measuring and 50
forth. The public can have tests and
measurements made by the commits
sion at any time on payment If fee
All schedules of rates or public utlli-
ties must be filed with the commission.
Public utilities must report all fatal
accidents to the commission which Will
investigate and order changes or I'M
nrovements which il considers neees-
sary. Any plant of q public utility can
lie ordered repaired or improved by
The commission to render it safe.
Control of All Franchises.
This commission is given control OF
all franchises granted by towns or
cities to public utilities. Corporations
cen appeal to the commission from
orders Of municipalities. Railroads
must pay the expense of strengthen
ing and repairing bridges When their
condition is rendered unsafe To TN"
public by reason of their use by the
railroads When the use of the rali-
road does not necessarily render the
b-idee unsafe the expense of repairs
and reconstruction is to be borne by
the railroads and the towns and III
case of dispute over the division OF
such expense the commission shah ue-
eide. Town and city ordinances are
subject TO the control of the commits
sion and any ten citizens can complain
Ia the commission regarding the ordl-
nances and secure hearing and rul-
ing upon them.
THE railroad commission is abolish
ed hv tie act and all powers OF the
old board invested in the new commis-
sion, Ali interpretations and con-
struetions of provisions of the act are