years. The Governor also appoints the General Counsel, for a term
of six years, and the People's Counsel for a term of four years. The
Public Service Commission has Jurisdiction over common carriers
including steam and electric railroads, street railways, sleeping car
companies, bus lines, express companies, steam boat companies, power
boats, ferry companies, carriers by aircraft, toll bridges, and all car-
riers, generally, engaged in the public transportation of passengers
or freight within the State of Maryland. The Commission also exer-
cises jurisdiction over all gas, electric, telephone, telegraph, water,
heating and refrigerating companies operating within the State.
All taxicabs operating in the City of Baltimore are also under the
jurisdiction of the Commission. The Commission has the power to
fix both minimum and maximum rates and to suspend schedules pend-
ing the determination of the reasonableness of the proposed rates.
Public Utilities may not abandon or discontinue the exercise of any
franchise without permission of the Commission. All gas and electric
meters are tested by the Commission prior to their installation, tests
are also made of previously installed meters at the request of the
consumer. A laboratory is maintained in which daily testa are made
of gas furnished in the City of Baltimore. Regular and frequent tests
are made of the gas and electricity furnished in other parts of the
State. '.

The Commission is also authorized to make joint investigations,
hold joint hearings, and issue joint or other concurrent orders in
conjunction with any official board or commission of any state or the
federal government under agreements and compacts between states,
under the concurrent powers of states to regulate inter-state com-
merce as an agency of the federal government, or otherwise. The
Public Service Commission is also represented on joint boards created
by the Interstate Commerce Commission under the Federal Motor
Carriers Act to hear and pass upon applications and proceedings per-
taining to inter-state motor carrier operation conducted in or through
not more than three states..

Publications: Public Service Commission Report, 1946.
Appropriations: 1948 1949.

General Funds . .. $134,366 $135,124
Staff: 31..

STATE ATHLETIC COMMISSION.

Chairman: Thomas P. McDonagh, 1961
Michael F. Freedman, 1949; James T. Holmes, 1953.
Joseph M. Kelly, Secretary
612 Davison Building, Baltimore 1 Telephone: Plaza 6782.

The State Athletic Commission was established in 1920. The Com-
mission consists of three members appointed by the Governor for
terms of six years, one term expiring every two years. The Commis-
sion has supervision over all boxing and wrestling matches scheduled
and held in the State of Maryland. It enacts and enforces such rules
as are necessary to govern these bouts. It licenses all corporations,
associations or persons sponsoring such bouts and all referees, man-
agers, seconds and participants. The Commission collects from all.