THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC
UTILITIES

PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION.
Munsey Building, Baltimore, Md.

Harold E. West . , ...1935 . Severna Park
J. Frank Harper . .... ... 1937............ . Centreville
Steuart Purcell . . . 1939 .... .. Baltimore

Frank Harper, Executive Secretary ... . Baltimore
Paul L. Holland, Chief Engineer .... Baltimore
Wm. Cabell Bruce, General Counsel . Ruxton
Herman M Moser, People's Counsel Baltimore

The Public Service Commission of Maryland was created by Chapter
180 of the Acts of 1910, effective April 6, 1910.

The Governor appoints the three members of the Commission, one
of whom he designates as Chairman. The term of office is six years,
and the term of one Commissioner expires every two years. The Gov-
ernor also appoints the General Counsel to the Commission for a term
of six years.

The Commission has jurisdiction over steam and electric railroads,
street railways, common carriers generally, including all railroad cor-
porations, express companies, sleeping car companies, steamboat, power
boat and ferry companies, toll bridges and also motor vehicles engaged
in the public transportation of passengers and freight. The Commission
also has jurisdiction over gas companies, electric companies, telephone
companies, telegraph companies, water companies and heating and re-
frigerating companies. The jurisdiction of the Commission is limited
to operations within the State of Maryland.

The supervision and jurisdiction of the Commission covers the serv
ice furnished, the rates charged, the capitalization, the issue of stocks,
bonds, and other securities, the right to exercise franchises granted by
the counties and by the cities, the right to fix rates for service and to
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.