The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1913-03-06

as provided herein or whereby any service
or advantage Is received other than Is
herein specified; provided that this act
shall not prohibit such free or reduced rate
transportation by common carriers as is
Congress entitled An Act to regulate COM
merce and acts amendatory thereof; nor
shall It be construed to prohibit any pub,
lie utility from granting service at reduced
rates for charitable and benevolent pur-
poses. provided the same be approved by
the commission, nor shall it be unlawful
to Its employees or In cases of emergency
service. nor shall the furnishing by any
public utility OF any product or service ar
the rates and upon the terms and condi-
tons provided for In any contract In exist
ence January first. nineteen hundred thir-
teen. be construed as constituting dis
elimination. or undue or unreasonable
preference. or advantage within the mean
ing specified; provided however that when
any such contract or contracts are or be
come terminable by notice by such>utility
the commission shall have power In its
discretion to direct by order that such
contract or contracts shall be terminated
by such utility as and when directed by
such order. Any person. firm or corpora
ton violating the provisions of this section
shall be punished by a fine OF not more
than one thousand dollars for each Of
tense.
INVESTIGATION OF ACCIDENTS.
Section g. In the event of an accident
resulting in the loss of human life occur
ity. or pe Directly or ndireetiy arising from
or connected with its maintenance or oper-
alton. tho commission shall cause an in
vestgation thereof to be made forth with.
and In the event Of any such accident re-
sultinx in personal injury or damage to
property the commission may make such
4ssu.a in is MssR sas PuaS
shall Be held in the locality Of the acct
dent. unless for the greater convenience
Of those concerned It shall order such In
vestigation to be held at some other place;
such Investigation may adjourn from place
to place as may be found necessary and
convenient. The commission shall season
ably notify the public utility Of the time
and place Of the investigation. and such
public utility may then be heard; and the
commission shall have power to make such
thereto as In its judgment may seem just
and reasonable. Every public utility is
hereby required to file with the commits
the commission may prescribe. reports Of
accidents 80 occurring. In the manner and
form designated by the commission: pro-
vided.. however. that In case Of accidents
resulting In loss Of human life. such re-
port shall be made Immediately by tele-
phone or telegraph followed by a detailed
order nor recommendation of the commits
sion nor any accident report filed with the
commission shall be admitted as evidence
arising out of the loss of life or injury to
person or property in this section referred
PHYSICAL VALUATION.
Section "a. Said commission shall have
power and 1t shall be Its duty to fix rea-
sonable value upon all the property of any
in its service to the public within the state
whenever It deems a valuation thereof to
be necessary for the fixing of fair and rea-
sonable rates, tolls and charges; and in
making such valuation they may avail
themselves of any reports. records or other
information available to them in the Office
OF any state officer or board.
APPROVAL OF STOCKS. BOND ASO
NOTES.
Section s. Any public utility now or
gained and existing. and doing business
In the state or hereafter incorporated UNI
der and by virtue Of the laws of the State
OF Maine may issue stocks, bonds, notes or
other evidences Of Indebtedness payable at
PERIODS OF not more than twelve months
after the date thereof. when necessary for
the acquisition Of property to be used for
the purpose OF carrying out its corporate
powers, the construction, completion, ex-
tension or Improvement Of its facilities, or
Tor the improvement or maintenance of its
service, or for the discharge or lawful
funding of Its obligations. or for such 9TH
or purposes as may be authorized by law
provided and not otherwise, that upon
written application. setting forth such In
formation as the commission may require
there shall have been secured from the
commission an order authorizing such is
sue and the amount thereof and stating
that in the opinion of the commission the
sum OF the capital to be secured by the
issue of said stocks. bonds. notes or other
evidences OF indebtedness Is required in
good faith for purposes enumerated in this
section. but the provisions of this act shall
not apply to any stocks or bonds or other
evidences OF Indebtedness heretofore law
fully authorized and issued provided how
ever. that the commission may at the re-
quest OF any public utility approve the is
sue OF any stocks or bonds heretofore au-
thorzed but not issued. For the purpose
of enabling the commission to determine
whether 1t shall issue such order, the
commission shall make such inquiries for
investigation, hold such hearings and ex-
anime such witnesses, books papers, docu-
ments or contracts as II may deem of i'm
portance in enabling II to reach a deter
nina ton. No order of the commission au-
thorlzing the issue of any stocks, bonds,
notes. or other evidences OF Indebtedness
shall limit restrict the powers of the
commission in determining and fixing any
rate, fare toll, charge, classification sched-
ule. or joint rate as provided In this act:
provided, however, that no public utility
shall be required to apply to the comms-
sion for authority to issue stocks, bonds.
notes or other evidences of Indebtedness
for the acquisition of property, for the pur-
poses Of carrying out its corporate powers,
the construction. completion, extension or
improvement Of Its facilities. or the i'm
provement or maintenance Of its service
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