88 MARYLAND MANUAL

years. The Governor also appoints the General Counsel, for a term
of six years, and the People's Counsel who serves at the pleasure
of the Governor (Acts 1949, Ch. 474). The Public Service Commis-
sion has jurisdiction over common carriers including steam and elec-
tric railroads, street railways, sleeping car companies, bus lines,
express companies, steam boat companies, power boats, ferry com-
panies, carriers by aircraft, toll bridges, and all carriers, gener-
ally, .. engaged in the public transportation of passengers or freight
within the State of Maryland. The Commission also exercises juris-
diction over all g"as, electric, telephone, telegraph, water, heating
and refrigerating companies operating within the State. All taxi-
cabs operating in the City of Baltimore are also under the juris-
diction 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 tests 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 (Code 1939 and 1947, Supp. Art. 23, sees. 344-429).

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 interstate com-
merce as an agency of the federal government, or otherwise (Code
1939, Art. 23, sec. 848). The Public Service Commission is also
represented on joint boards created by the Interstate Commerce Com-
mission under the Federal Motor Carriers Act to hear and pass upon
applications and proceedings pertaining to interstate motor carrier
operation conducted in or through not more than three states.

Expenditures, 1949 -....---..--...........--......$159,392.93

Appropriation, I960 .............- 178,584.00

Staff: 39.

..o..

STATE ATHLETIC COMMISSION

Chairman: James T. Holmes, 1963
James W. Mullen, 1956; Thomas P. McDonagh, 1961
Joseph M. KeIIy, Secretary
18 E. Lexington St., Baltimore 2 Telephone: Plaza 5732

The State Athletic Commission was established in 1920. The Com-
misoion 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
ana 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