ART. 23] COMMON CARRIERS. 733

carrier has not sufficient cars to meet all requirements for the trans-
portation of property in carload lots, all cars available to it for such
purposes shall be distributed among the several applicants therefor,
without discrimination between shippers, localities or competitive or
non-competitive points, but preference may always be given in the
supply of cars for shipment of live stock or perishable property. The
commission shall have power to make, and by order shall make, reason-
able regulations for the furnishing and distribution of freight cars to
shippers, for the switching of the same, for the loading and unloading
thereof, for demurrage charges in respect thereto, and for the weighing
of cars and freights offered for shipment or transported by any common
carrier.

1910, ch. 180, sec. 20 (p. 362).

432. The commission and each commissioner shall have power and
authority to administer oaths in all parts of the State to witnesses sum-
moned to testify in any inquiry, investigation, hearing or proceeding;
and also to administer oaths in all parts of the State whenever the
exercise of such power is incidentally necessary or proper to enable the
commission or a commissioner to perform a duty or to exercise a power

The commission shall have the general supervision of all common
carriers, railroads, street railroads, railroad corporations and street
railroad corporations, and all other corporations and persons subject to
the provisions of this sub-title as hereinbefore defined, and shall have
the power to and shall examine the same and keep informed as to their
general condition, their capitalization, their franchises and the manner
in which their lines, owned, leased, controlled or operated, are managed,
conducted and operated, not only with respect to the adequacy, security
and accommodation afforded by their service, but also with respect to
their compliance with all provisions of law, orders of the commission
and charter requirements.

The commission and each commissioner shall have power to examine
all books, contracts, records, documents and papers of any person or
corporation subject to its supervision, and by subprena duces tecum to
compel the production thereof. In lieu of requiring production of origi-
nals by the subpoena duces tecum, the commission, or any commissioner,
may require sworn copies of any such books, records, contracts, docu-
ments and papers or parts thereof to be filed with it.

The commission shall conduct a hearing and take testimony as to
the advisability of any proposed change of law relating to any common
carrier, railroad, street railroad, railroad corporation or street railroad
corporation, or other corporation subject to the provisions of this sub-title
if requested to do so by the legislature, by the senate, or general assem-
bly, or the governor, and may conduct such a hearing, when requested
to do so, by any person or corporation, and shall report its conclusions
to the officer, body, person or corporation at whose request the hearing
was held. The commission may also recommand the enactment of such