The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-08-07
MOTOR TRUCKING
 | RULE EFFECTIVE
New Statute Giving Power of Permit to COfrlriis- sion Started Yesterday

Connecticut's new law regulating freight competition between the railroads and highway transporta- tion facilities, and placing motor common carriers and contract car riers under the Jurisdiction of the public utilities commission became effective to-day, 90 days after en- actment of the new regulatory statute by the General Assembly on May 8. Henceforth, trucking for hire in Connecticut with some exceptions, will be under regula- ton similar to that of the rail- roads, thus insuring fair competi- ton among truckers as we'll as with the rail carriers.
 The new statute had the approv- al both of the truckers and of the New Haven Railroad.
 Under the new law, which gave the public utilities commission the right to conduct hearings during the 90 days prior to to-day's effec- tive date, motor common carriers (those operating motor trucking over regular routes) will require a permit from the commission to operate. This will be granted only after a public bearing by the com mission, and then after the latter has taken into consideration ex- isting facilities, public need for the applicants proposed service, the applicants financial responsibility, his ability to render efficient ser- vice, safety of the public, etc. Pulp lie convenience and necessity will be the guiding factors when the routes applied for conflict. Carriers rendering service prior to Decem- Der 31, 1894, will be granted per- mits as a matter of right, provid- ed that financial. responsibility can be shown and that application for the permit is made within 30 days of the effective date. Similar regu- lations will apply to contract car riers who under contract or agree ment transport property between points within the state. Interstate carriers are also brought within some of the provisions of the act. Among the outstanding features of the new statute are the provi- sions to prevent rate discrimina- tions and rate cutting. Schedules of rates and charges of common carriers must be filed with the commission and strictly adhered to. The commission is given pow- CT to prescribe reasonable regula- tions and rates covering common carrier operation. Rates may be established to meet the existing rate of a competing motor com mon carrier or a common carrier not subject to this act; for exam pie, the railroads. Prejudice, dis elimination, and refunding or re- hitting any portion of rates are prohibited. Provisions are includ- ed for changing rate schedules upon due notice, thus enabling the motor carriers to reduce rates to rates of the. railroads. The com mission is also empowered to pre- scribe minimum regulations and charges for contract carriers, which may not be less than those charged by, the common carriers for substantially the same service.
 For enforcement purposes, pro- visions were included in the act for fines running as high as $500 for violations of the act, together with authority on the part of the commission to revoke the permits of continual violators after proper hearing.
 The very similar regulations under which the railroads operate are those of the interstate com merce commission.