Smyrna times., 1923-01-24
MOVEMENT To CREATE A STATE
BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES
SENATOR MOORE SUBMITS BILL
SWEEPING IN IT'S POWER
Commission of Four Would Have
Power to Fix Rates and Have Full
Control Over All Public Utilities

Control Over All Public Utilities
Aebill to authorize the creation of
State Board of Public Utilities Com
missioners was introduced in the SEN
ate Monday. 1t was introduced by
Senator Moore of Seaford, and pro-
vides for a commission of four mem
bers, two Democrats and two Repub-
licans, to be appointed by the Gov
ernor for terms of one, two, three and
four years, and their successors for
the full term of four years. The bill
gives the board general supervision
and regulation of, jurisdiction and
control over, all public utilities, and
also over their property, property
rights, equipment, facilities and fran
chises so far as may be necessary for
the purpose of carrying out the pro-
visions of this act" The term pub
lie utility" is defined to include "every
individual, co-partnership, association,
corporation or joint stock company,
their lessees, trustees or receivers ap-
pointed by any courts whatsoever, that
now or hereafter may own, operate,
manage or control within the State of
Delaware any steam railroad, street
railway, traction railway, canal, eX-
press, subway, pipe line, gas, electric
light, heat, power, water, oil, sewer
telephone, telegraph system, plant ol
equipment for public use, under priv
ileges granted or hereafter to be
granted by the State of Delaware Of
by any political subdivision thereof.
Board Vested With Rate Fixing POwel
The bill gives the board power, af
ter hearing, to fix just and reasonable
rates, charges or schedules thereof
including communication, mileage ant
other special rates. The bill gives tn
board additional "power to compe
any utility to file any required report
or schedule of rates, etc.; to fix tn
standard of service to be furnished
to fix the fees to be paid by any con
sumner or user of any products or sci
, vice of public utility as herein dc
| fined; supervision and authority owe
the placing of connections for switche
/ on railroads; to compel every publ
2 utility to comply with the laws of tn
= State and any municipal ordinance
D relating thereto; to compel a utilit
D to furnish a safe, adequate and propt
!, service; to carry whenever require
/ for the protection of the stakeholder
n bondholders or creditors, proper ar
g adequate depreciation account"
: Stock Transfer Regulation a Featul
No public utility incorporated und
: the laws Of the State would be pc
mitted to sell, or transfer, any sha
or shares of it's capital stock to al
X other public utility unless authoriz
# toido so by the board. The bill wou
1. prohibit railroad from abandonil
/. any railroad station or stopping t
p. sale of passenger tickets or cease
l. maintain an agent at any station
id receive and discharge freight at a st
ID tion without the consent of the boar
I. 1t would further prohibit any highw
r. from being constructed across t
er tracks of any railroad company
fe grade and no railroad or railway CO.
as pany could make a new crossing
a. grade. 1t gives the board authori
to compel the erection of safety gat
at dangerous crossings or otherw
providing for the safety of the pub
No franchise granted to a railroad
other public utility in the future wol
50 be valid until approved by the boa
The board would also have cert;
jurisdiction over municipal public u
=, tiles. For violation of provisions
al the act the bill sets fines to be
Ut posed from 5000 to $4,000.