The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-04-12


any Public Utility, and to suspend
the same Pending live stiEation.
BE It enacted. etc.
Section l. Whenever the public
utilities commission receives notice
Of any change or changes proposed 10
be made in any schedule Of rates filed
with said commission under the pro-
visions OF law 1t shall have power at
any time before the effective date of
such change or changes. other upon
complaint or upon its own notion
and after reasonable notice, to hold A
public hearing and make investiga-
ton as to the propriety OF such pro-
posed change or changes. At any
such hearing involving any change or
changes as above specified the burden
reasonable shall be upon the public
utility. After such hearing and ia
vestlgatlon tho commission may make
such order with reference to any new
rate, joint rate. fare. rental, toll
classification. charge. rule. regulation
or form Of contract or agreement pro
posed as would be proper in q pro-
ceeding initiated upon complaint or
upon motion of the commission In any
rate investigation.
Pending such Investigation and or
der the commission may at any time
within said period preceding the cf-
fective date of any such schedule, by
filing with such chedule and deliver
ing to tho public utility affected
thereby statement OF It's reasons for
said suspension. suspend the opera
tion Of such schedule or any part
thereof. but not for n longer period
than three months from the date Of
said order Of suspension. provided
however, that II said Investigation
cannot be concluded within said
sion may in its discretion extend the
time Of suspension for further
period OF three months; and provided
further that nothing In this section
contained shall apply to any schedule
filed with the commission and pro
posing any change or changes In any
new ratio. Joint rate. fare, rental toll,
ella Justification, charge, rule, regulation
or form Of contract or agreement ar
fecting tho transportation OF freight
Section !. Whenever the public
utilities commission receives notice Of
any change or changes proposed to be
made in any schedule of new rates,
joint rates, fares, rentals, tolls, classi
fications. charges, rules, regulations
or forms of contract or agreement at
and filed with sa d commission under
tho provisions Of law. said commits
sion shall havo power at any time
within thirty days after the effective
date Of such change or changes
either upon oomPlalnt or upon its
notice, to hold a public hearing and
make investigation ms to the propri-
ETY. Of such proposed change or
changes.
At any such hearing involving any
change or changes as above specified
tho burden Of proof TO show that
Buch change is reasonable shall be
upon tho common carrier. After such
hearing and investigation the com
mission may mako such order, within
n nf
after tho effective date OF the sohed-
ule setting forth such change or
changes with reference to any pro-
posed now rate. joint rate, fare,
rental, toll, classification, charge.
rule. regulation or form of contract
or agreement proposed as would be
proper under existing law in a pro-
ceeding initiated upon complaint or
upon motion of tho commission In any
rate Investigations; and In cases in
Volvlng an increase in an existing
rate, Joint rate. toll. fare, rental or
charge affecting the transportation OF
freight, II the commission shall ind
that such Increase liz unreasonable II
may, by proper order, determine and
fix tho maximum ratio, joint rate, toll
faro, rental or charge which may
thereafter be collected for the service
rendered, and no rate, joint rate, toll
fare, rental or charge afrecting the
transportation of freight In excess
tneTeOI bnAll DO Hloo within u pei lph
OF ono year after the making of such
order; and the commission, by proper
order, may require tho common car
rier which has filed any such in
creased rate, Joint rate. toll. fare
rental or charge affecting the trans
portation Of freight to refund, In such
manner and under such conditions as
may be prescribed by the commission
to all persons from whom charges
have been collected by virtue OF the
schedules under investigation. any
and all sums collected In excess Of the
rate, Joint rate, toll, fare, rental OF
charge affecting the transportation Of
freight 10 determined and fixed by the
commission as being the maximum
rate, joint rate, toll, fare, rental OF
charge to be collected, aud may re
| qulre due report OF the refund sc
made.
IAnnrnvAd March LIZ 1QlI