fix standards for service, and general supervisory and regulatory powers
over the utilities subject to its jurisdiction, in the exercise of this
supervision and jurisdiction, it is the purpose of the Commission to
insure and maintain to the public safe and adequate service, at just
and reasonable rates, without unjust discrimination.

The Commission is given power to investigate and ascertain the fair
value of the property of corporations subject to its jurisdiction.

An annual report showing the financial conditions and operations of
each utility under its jurisdiction is required to be filed with the Com-
mission. Tables showing the results of the operations of the utilities
are compiled and included in the Commission's annual report, which
report also contains all opinions and final orders entered by the Com-
mission during the year covered thereby.

By legislation enacted subsequent to the original Act, the Commis-
sion has been given power to fix minimum as well as maximum rates,
to suspend schedules of rates pending the determination of the reason-
ableness of the rates proposed, and utilities are forbidden to abandon
or discontinue the exercise of franchises without the permission and
approval of the Commission.

The Commission has also been authorized to make joint investiga-
tions, hold joint hearings, and issue joint or concurrent orders in con-
junction or concurrence with any official board or commission of any
State or of the United States, under agreements or compacts between
States or under the concurrent power of States to regulate interstate
commerce, or as an agency of the Federal Government, or otherwise.

The Commission is required by law to test all electric meters and
gas meters before installation, and to test meters upon request of the
consumer.

The Commission maintains a laboratory in which daily tests are
made of the gas furnished in the City of Baltimore, and its inspectors
also make regular and frequent tests of the gas and electricity furnished
in other parts of the State.

The proceedings before the Commission frequently require hearings,
and all such hearings are public and are reported by a stenographer,
and a permanent record thereof is kept.

in the case of ex parte applications of Utilities for permission to
exercise franchises, to issue securities or otherwise invoking the juris-
diction of the Commission, the applicant is required to advertise, at its
own expense, giving notice of the hearing to be had, so that the public
interested may be advised thereof and given the opportunity to be heard
with respect thereto.

One of the most important amendments to the original Act is that
providing for representation by counsel of the interests of the public
in all proceedings before the Commission. The Act now provides for
the appointment by the (governor of an experienced and qualified lawyer
as People's Counsel, and it is the duty of this official to represent the
interests of complainants and of the public generally in proceedings
before the Commission.

Chapter 201 of the Acts of 1927 provides for the re-establishment
of the office of General Counsel to the Commission, the appointment to
be made by the Governor for a term of six years.