Evening journal., 1923-01-23

REGULATION
OF UTILITIES
CONTINUED From First Page,


ent form. The bili would give the
proposed commission wide powers
over every public utility IN the State
as 70 investigating such corporations,
fixing rates, etc. The bill was re-
ferred BY Lieutenant Governor
10 the Committee on Private Cor
porations. and on motion OF Senator
Hardesty the Senate Printing Com
mittee was authorized 10 have 500
copies OF the bill printed.
The expense 10 the State in carry
ing out the provisions OF the Moore
bill would be az least s1s. 900 a year.
Senator Moores bill provides
for a Commission OF four members.
two Democrats and two Republicans.
10 be appointed by the Governor for
terms Of one. two. three and four
years. and their successors for the
full term OF four years.
Il provides that two OF the mem
bers appointed shall reside in New
Castle county. one in Kent and one
in Sussex county. the appointments
70 be made within 80 days after the
bin becomes a law.
Appointments would be subject 20
confirmation by the Senate and the
Commissioners would meet in Dover
on day set by the Governor within
5 days OF the time Of their appoint-
ment. for organisation.
The salaries OF the commissioners
are fixed at s250O. Members, oficers
and employees Of the commission
would receive pay for travelling ex-
penses when on onicial business for
the board.
The bill provides for the board 20
organize by electing a president and
secretary and 10 appoint counsel and
such other officers and employees as
Il may deem necessary. prescribe
their duties and Ak their compensa-
ton and terms OF office.
Provision r. made for publication
by the secretary OF the findings and
decisions OF the board OF general
public interest. No member or Of
fcial Of the board will be permitted
10 have any Official or professional
relation or connection with any pub
lie utility OF the state. The board
would have an office in the State
House and at any other place or
places as Il may designate. and shall
meet at such times and places as It
may provide by rules or otherwise.
The board would be empowered 20
make all needful rules for its gov
ernment and proceedings not inoon-
sistent with the constitution and
laws OF the State and nation.
The total expense OF the board In
addition 10 salaries shall not exceed
$4,000 a year. 20 be paid by the state
Treasurer on warrants signed by the
president Of the board. The mem
hers can sit singly TO take testimony,
but a majority OF the members
would be necessary to make an or
der. The board would be required
10 report annually TO the Governor.
The bin gives the board the fol-
lowing authority:
The board shah have general
supervision and regulation OF. juris-
dictlon and control over. all public
utilities. and also over their prop
erty, property rights. equipment
facilities. and franchises so far as
may be necessary for the purpose
OF carrying out the provisions Of
this act.
THE term public utility is here
by defined 20 include every indivi- |
dual. o-partnership. association |
or joint stock company, |
their lessees, trustees or receivers |
appointed by any courts whatsoever. /
that now or hereafter may own. /
operate. manage or control within /
tho state OF Delaware. any steam
railroad. street railway, traction !
railway. canal. express, subway, pipe /
line. gas, electric light, heat, power.
water. oil. sewer, telephone, tele-
graph system, plant or equipment
for public use. under privileges j
granted or hereafter 10 be granted
by the state OF Delaware or by any
political subdivision thereof"
II gives the board power TO in
vestigate upon its own Initiative or
upon complaint, any matter concern
.ng any public utility as herein de-
7ned. from time 20 time 20 appraise
and value the property OF any public
utility defined in the bill, whenever
In the Judgment of the board Il shall
be necessary TO do so. for the pur-
pose OF carrying out the provisions
,f the act. and in making such valu-
,tion the board may have access TO
and use any books. documents or
-ecords IN the possession OF any de-
,artment or board OF the State or
my political sub division thereof.
The bill further gives the board
power, after hearing, to Ak Just and u
rates, tolls, charges or
thereof. including commu-
alton. mileage and other special
ates. The bill gives the board ed-
itional power 10 compel any public 1
Utility 70 file any required reports or
chedules of rates etc; to fix the
tandard Of service 20 be furnished; :
o fx the fees TO be paid by any
onsimer or user OF any products or /
ervice OF a public utility as herein {
efined: supervision and authority ,
yer the placing Of connections FOR {
witches on railroads; to compel ]
very public utility to comply with I
he laws of the state and any mu- {
icipal ordinances relating thereto; {
, compel a utility to furnish safe, I
dequate and proper service; 10
AIRY whenever required for the I
rejection OF the stockholders, bond I
olders or creditors a proper and |
dequate depreciation account. q
Sanction for Stock Issue
The bill would prohibit a public
tlity from imposing any discrim- !
latorv or undlilv Draforential rate. "