The Republican journal., 1915-04-08


same are changed as provided in this
act. The commission may prescribe
such changes in the form in which the
schedules are issued by any public util-
ity as may be found to be expedient.'
Section 8. Section thirty-two Of said
chapter one hundred and twenty-nine
is hereby amended SO as to read as fol-
lows:
Section 80. 1t shall be unlawful for
any person, firm or corporation know
ingIy to solicit accept or receive any re-
bate. discount or discrimination in re-
rendered by any public utility, or for
any service in connection herewith
whereby any such service shall in any
manner or by any device whatsoever,
be rendered free or at a rate less than
named in the schedules in force as pro-
vided 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
rates by public utilities as is defined and
provided for in the acts Of Congress en-
titled, AN Act to regulate commerce
and acts amendatOry thereof, nor free
or reduced transportation to the officers
Of leased lines or to police officers or
firemen in uniform OF of municipal fire
apparatus, editors and regular report
ers of newspapers, nor free transporta-
ton under the provision Of section fifty
three Of chapter ffty-one of the Revised
Statutes as amended by section eighteen
of this act; nor shall it be construed to
prohibit any public utility from grant
ing service at free or reduced rates for
charitable or benevolent purposes, pro-
vided the same be approved by the
commission, nor shall it be unlawful
for any public utility to make special
rates to its employees or in cases of
emergency service, nor shall the fur
nishing by any public utility Of any
product or service at the rates and up
on terms and conditions provided for in
any contract in existence January first,
nineteen hundred thirteen be construed
as constituting a discrimination, or un-
due or unreasonable preference, or advan-
tage within the meaning specified; pro-
vided, however, that when any such
contract or contracts are or become ter
minable by notice of such utility the
commission shall have power in its dis
erection to direct by order that such con-
tract or contracts shall be terminated
by such utility as and when directed by
such order; and provided, further, that
It shall be lawful for any public util-
ity to make a contract for definite
term subject to the approval of the
commission for its product or service.
but such published rates shall not be
changed during the term of the con-
tract without the consent of the COM
mission, Any person, firm or corpora
ton violating the provisions of this
section shall be punished by fine Of
not more than one thousand dollars for
each offense.'
Section 4. Section thirty three of chap
ter one hundred and twenty-nine is
hereby amended by substituting for the
last sentence thereof the words, Sec
sive of chapter fifty-two of the Revised
Statutes are hereby repealed so that
said section as amended shall read as
follows:
Section SO. In the event of an acct
dent resulting in the loss of human
life occurring upon the premises Of any
public utility, or directly or indirectly
arising from or connected with it's
maintenance or operation. the commits
sion shall cause an investigation there
of to he made forthwith, and in the
event OF any such accident resulting IN
personal injury or damage to property
the commission may make such inves-
tigation if in its judgment the public
interest requires it, which investigation
shall be held in the locality of the ae-
cident, unless for the greater conven-
fence of those concerned it shah order
such investigation to be held at some
other place; such investigation may ad-
iourn from place to place as may be
found necessary and convenient The
commission shall seascnably notify the
public utility of the time and place of
the nvestisation, and such public util-
ity may then be heard; and the com
mission shall have power to make Such
order or RECOMMENDATION with respect
thereto as in Its Judgment may seem inst
and reasonable. Every public utility is
hereby required to file with the com.
MISSION under such rules and regula-
llons as the commission may prescribe,
reports of accidents so occurring, in the
manner and form designated by the
commission: provided, however, that in
case of accidents resulting in loss of
human ne, such report shall be made
immediately by telephone or telegram
1olloWed by detail written report: pro
ViGed that neither the order nor recon-
mendatIon of the commission nor any
acclaent report fled with the commits
sion shall be admitted as evidence in
any ACTON for damages based on or
arising out of the loss of life Or injury
20 person or property in this section re-
I nirn to. Sections sixtty7fye to sixty
Two of the Revised Statutes are here
by repealed
Section ). Section thirtp-seve, or
SAID chapter one hundred and twenty
,iine is hereby amended by insertin o
nesWeen the words shall" and de
,ra,l IN the first line the words de-
slease us capital stock Or so that said
section as amended shall read as fol-
lows: 60 io'
Section 81. No public utility shall
decrease it's capital stock or declare any
stock. bond or scrip dividend or divide
the proceeds of the sale of its own or
any stock, bond or scrip among stock
holders without the consent of the COM
mission
Section 6. Section thirty-five of said
chapter one hundred twenty-nine as
amended by chapter two hundred six
teen of the public laws of nineteen hun
dred thirteen is hereby amended, so as
to read as follows:
Section 35. Any public utility now
organized and existing, and doing busl-
ness in the State or hereafter lncorpofo
ated under and by virtue of the laws OF
the State of Maine may issue STOCKS
bonds, which may be secured by mort
cages of it's property, franchises or oth-
erwise, notes or other evidences OF IN
debtedneSS payable at periods OF more
than twelve months after the date there
of, when necessary for the acquisition
of property to be used for the purpose
Of carrying out it's corporate powers, the
construction completion, extension or
improvement of it's facilities. or for the
Improvement or maintenance or us
service, or for the discharge or lawful
refunding of it's obligations, or for such
other purposes as may be authorized by
law: provided and not otherwise, that
upon written application, setting forth
such information as the commission
may require, there shall have been Sc
authorizing such issue and the amount
thereof, and stating that in the opinion
of the commission the sum of the cap
ital to be secured by the issue OF said
stocks, bonds, notes or other evidences
of Indebtedness is required in good faith
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,
however, that the commission may at
the request of any public utility ap-
heretofore authorized but not issued.
For the purpose of enabling the COM