panics, electric companies, telephone companies, telegraph companies,
water companies and heating and refrigerating companies. The
jurisdiction of the Commission is limited to operations within the
State of Maryland.

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 rea-
sonableness of the rates proposed, and utilities are forbidden to aban-
don 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 powers of States to regulate interstate
commerce, or as an agency of the Federal Government, or otherwise,
and it is represented on Joint Boards created by the Interstate Com-
merce Commission under the Federal Motor Carrier Act, 1935, to
hear and pass upon application and other proceedings pertaining to
interstate motor carrier operations conducted in or through not over
three states.

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 inspec-
tors also make regular and frequent tests of the gas and electricity
furnished in other parts of the State.

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 rep-
resent the interests of complainants and of the public generally in
proceedings before the Commission.

By Chapter 485 of the Acts of 1931 the Commission is given full
jurisdiction over taxicabs operating in Baltimore City. One require-
ment of this law is that all such taxicabs shall carry insurance or
give bond to indemnify the public.

THE STATE INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENT

COMMISSION
741 Equitable Building, Baltimore 2, Maryland

Name Term Expires Postoffice
Emanuel Gorfine, Chairman.............1951........... ............ .......Baltimore
Vivian V. Simpson— ..................... ..1950.................. ...............Rockville
J. Howard Holzer— .......... ............. .1949......... .......... ........ ........Baltimore
Thomas W. Koon, M.D...................1948..............................Cumberland
DeLancey B. Scrivner, Secretary.
Joseph A. Haller, Director of Safety.

The State Industrial Accident Commission, created by Chapter 800
of the Acts of the General Assembly of Maryland, 1914, is charged
with the duty of administering the Workmen's Compensation Law.