Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-10-31
The Best Synopsis Is
Prepared for Journal

The following synopsis has been
carefully prepared for the Journal, and
has been granted the commentator of
every one of the ub-committeemen as
the most concise, yet comprehensive,
possible summary of the new Public
Utilities law:
Appointment of Commissioners.
By the provisions of the law three
commissioners will be appointed by
the Governor, one of whom will serve
as chairman. The first three commits
sioners to be appointed are to serve
for respective terms of seven years,
five years and three years. At the
expiration of these terms the COM
missioners are to be appointed for full
terms of seven years each, unless in
case of resignation or death, when
the appointee is to serve for the re-
mainder of the unexpired term. The
chairman of the board will receive
$4,000 annually. The other two mem
bers will receive $500 each.
Provision is made for a clerk of the
board at $500, and an assistant clerk
at $500 The commission has the
right to employ expert and profession
al assistance in making Investigations
The bill, in defining the membership
of the board, provides as follows.
mo member or employee of said
board shall have official or profess
sional connection or relation with, ar
hold any stock or securities in any
public utility as herein defined, operat-
ing within the State OF Maine, nor
shall he render any professional ser
,rti ~
shall he be a member of firm which
shall render any such service. No
commissioner shall hold any other
office of profit or trust under the gov
eminent of the United States, or of
this State, except the office of justice
of the peace, or notary public, nor
shall he serve on or under any COM
mittee of any political party. Any will
full violation of the provisions of this
act by any commissioner shall consti-
tute sufficient cause for his re-
rnoval by the Governor, with the adj
vice and consent of the Council"
The commission has the right to re-
quire information. reports and uni
form accounts from all public utilities
to insure proper investigation of the
business of these companies.
investigation of accidents resulting
in the loss of human life on the prem
ises of a public utility, is made obli-
gatory upon the commission. Acct
dents resulting in damage to property
and personal injury may be investi-
gated if the commission deems neees-
sary. Every public utility is required
to file reports of such accidents by tel
ephone Or telegraph, followed by de-
tailed written report. The present stat
utory provision requiring county at
torneys to investigate railway acct
dents is repealed.
Control of Dividends.
Any public utility may issue stocks
and bends. notes or other evidences of
Indebtedness payable in less than
~ months without the approval of the
commission. This provides for tempo
rary loans in emergencies, but such
temporary loans cannot be refunded
for more than IL months without the
approval of the commission For all
such evidences of Indebtedness, pay
able beyond a period of Il months, the
public utility must obtain the con-
sent of the commission and specify the
purposes for which the funds are in
tended. The commission has absolute
control of all dividends to be declared
by the public utility companies.
A new provision has been inserted
in this draft containing most specific
provision for the control OF leases,
mortgages, sales and membranes. of
any public utility property or fran
chise, which confers upon the commits
sion complete control of mergers and
consultations.
Line Connections.
The commission has the power to
order connections between the lines
of two or more telegraph or telephone
companies, whose lines can be made
to form a continuous line of COM
munication. With this right, goes a
provision that the commission may
order the joint use of tracks, wires.
poles, subways or other equipment on
the part of two or more public utility
companies.