sion. This office also conducts periodic examinations of the books and
accounts of all licensees. Investigations of complaints of violations
of the law are made, and legal action instituted to prosecute offenders
(Code 1951, Art. 83, sees. 116-152).

Appropriations 1953 1954
General Fund.. $49,965 $49,263
Staff: 10.

PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION

Chairman: John H. Hessey, 1955

Frank Harper, 1959; Wilmer Fell Davis, 1957
Albert L. Deen, Executive Secretary
Charles D. Harris, General Counsel, 1955
Joseph Allen, People's Counsel
Hugh H. Hunter, Chief Engineer
E. Edward McLean, Chief Auditor

1701 Munsey Building, Baltimore 2 Telephone: Lexington 9-7510

The Public Service Commission was established in 1910. The Com-
mission, composed of three members, is appointed by the Governor.
The term of each member is six years, one term expiring every two
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 (Code 1951, Art. 78, sec. 4). 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 gas, 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 1951, Art. 78, sees. 1-88).

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
1951, Art. 78, sec. 5). The Public Service Commission is also rep-