Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-01-08

companies are not in a position
financially to employ regularly such
experts as are necessary 10 enable the
corporations to perform satisfactorily
their duties ds public utilities. A great
many times this Commission during
its ten years of existence has assisted
these small companies by having its
experts advise them with a view of
raising standards of service. The
advice Of the Commission and its ex-
perts has been heartily received.
The Commission in order to eXpe-
dite its work operates seven dockets:
neutrality-suspicious., Contract, Formal
Complaint, Informal Complaint, Rail-
road, Utility and Jitney. A very
large portion of it's work Is in the
form of complaints, either formal
or informal Its policy before order
ing formal public hearing upon a
complaint is to endeavor, through a
conference with the interested
parties, to adjust the matter salts
factorily to all concerned. In a great
many instances several conferences
are necessary, and after a careful
study of it's dockets the Commission
is Of the opinion that fifty to seventy
five per cent of the complaints which
it receives are closed without formal
faction of all concerned. All COM
plants, large and small, receive the
careful consideration of the Commits
sion.
The issue Of stock, bonds bonds and
other evidences of indebtedness by
public utilities is considered a serious
matter by this Commission, and all
applications therefor are carefully
scrutinized and a great deal Of re-
search work is performed by the
Commission and it's differ ent depart
ments
This Commission, by jurisdiction
conferred upon it by Chapter 90 of
the Public Laws of 1917, is charged
with the important duty of super
vision of water companies to the eX-
tent of preventing the source of all
domestic supplies from becoming
polluted. The Commission works in
cooperation with the State Depart
ment Of Health, and has during the
past seven years corrected unsanitary
conditions surrounding the sources Of
supply of many water companies.
The engineering problems which
come to the Commission are numer-
Gus and varied in character. including
inventories and valuations of utilities.
checking estimates Tor extensions
and new works, investigating service
complaints, etc.
Section AZ of Chapter So Of the
Revised Statutes makes it obligatory
upon the Commission to cause an
rualiy an inspection to be made of
the tracks. rolling stock. bridges, via
ducts and culverts OF all railroad
companies. In addition 10 the annual
inspection work. its inspections de-
partment investigates all accidents
of serious nature occurring upon the
premises of any public utility, and
makes report. If the Commission
deems it advisable TO hold public
investigation, notices are served upon
the utility affected and ample oppor-
tunity is given to all persons inter-
ested to appear and give testimony
before the Commission. These in
vestigations are for the purpose of
making recommendation SO as to
prevent the recurrence of similar ac-
Cidents.
Maine was one of the first states
to enact a so-called "jitney" law. The
legislature of 1921 enacted Chapter
1S4 of the Public Laws. which was
superseded by Chapter 211 of the
Public Laws of 1928. The Commits
sion has jurisdiction over every per-
son, firm or corporation operating
any motor vehicle upon any public
street or highway for the carrying of
passengers for hire, ~ divided the
same are operated over regular
routes between points in this state.
| The Commission is authorized by said
act to make from time to time rules
and regulations governing the oper-
alton of motor vehicles used for the
! carrying of passengers. for hire, which
shall include provisions concerning
the route of operation, schedules to
be operated and maintained, rate of
fare to be charged for the carrying
of passenges, safeguarding OF pas
sengers and other persons using the
streets and highways, and such other
regulations as may be deemed neces-
sary for the safety and convenience
of the public. Last year fifty-two
motor vehicles were regulated by this
Commission under said chapter
through the issuance of thirty-SiX
certificates to persons, firms or cor
porations to operate so-called jitneys.
The Commission, on account of the
smallness of it's staff. has no depart
ment to investigate alleged violations
of the "Jitney law" and it is obliged
to depend upon the county attorneys
of the several counties, upon COM
plant, for its enforcement.
From the date of organization of
the Commission to the present time
the work has very materially in
creased each year. The Commission
during the year 1924 mad before it
five hundred twenty mine cases.