The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1914-11-05

utuHlIlODE
from the Hersey bill.
Every public utility is required to
furnish facilities that are safe. rea-
sonable and adequate. And the rates
and charges shall be just and without
discrimination. Every public utility
is required to file 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 commission.
As to rates, it is provided that it is
unlawful for public utility to estab-
lish rates that shall be in any way
discriminatory or preferential And
no public utility may make or receive
any rebate in rates excepting in the
cases of charitable and benevolent in
situations, and even those cases re-
qulre the consent of the commission.
important features of the rights to
be eNerted by the commission include
the right to require information. re-
ports and uniform accounts from all
pubic utilities to insure proper inyes-
agatlon Of the business of these COM
panies.
investigation of accidents resulting
IN the loss of human life on the prem
Uses of public utility, is made obli-
gatory upon the commission. Acct
dents resulting in damage to property
and personal injury may be inyesti
gated If the commission deems neces-
sary. Every public utility is required
TO nle reports of such accidents by tel
ephone or telegraph followed by a de-
tailed written report. The present stat
utory provision requiring county at
torneys to investigate railway acct
dents is repealed.
Any public utility may issue stocks
and bonds, notes or other evidences of
Indebtedness payable in less than 70
months without the approval of the
commission. The commission has
absolute control of all dividends to be
declared by the public utility COM
panies.
The commission also 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.
Upon written complaint against any
public utility company, by 10 persons.
firms, or corporations, alleging that
any of the rates are unreasonable. or
that the service is inadequate in any
way, the commission may institute a
preliminary investigation. If the pub
lie utility does not remedy the defect
within 10 days, then the commission
has the power to order a formal pub
lie hearing, after proper notice to all
parties concerned. After such formal
hearing the rates and service may be
regulated by order of the commits
sion.
The commission has the power to
make such investigation on its own
motion in cases where defective SER
vice on the part of public utility has
been brought to the attention of the
board.
In cases of emergency, the commits
sion has full power temporarily to
alter, amend, or suspend, existing
rates, schedules or orders, thus allow
ing the commission to use judgment in
cases of serious accident. or disaster,
to the plant of the public utility.
Every public utility. corporation, or
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
information required, or who refuses
to exhibit books and accounts, or to
keep uniform system of accounting,
required shall be punished 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 forfeit into the State
treasury not more than $1,000 for each
offense. and every day during which
this offense continues, shall constitute
a separate and distinct offense under
the statute. The penalty for issue of
stocks, bonds, notes or other evidences
of Indebtedness, contrary to this act,
is Imprisonment in the State prison
for not less than one year or more
than 10 years, and any officer or
agent, who, knowingly or wilfully
makes any false statement in this
particular, shall be liable to a fine of
30 Aa an 60 - q. q. .. -