ART. 23] GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANIES. 747

buildings, plants, factories, power-houses and offices of any such corpora-
tions or persons.

Have power to examine the books and affairs of any such corporation,
person and to compel the production before it of books and papers
pertaining to the affairs being investigated by it.

Have power, whether as a commission or through its members, to
subpoena witnesses, take testimony and administer oaths to witnesses
in any proceeding or examination instituted before it, or conducted by
it in reference to any matter within its jurisdiction under this article.

The commission shall appoint inspectors of gas and electric meters,
whose duty it shall be to inspect, examine, prove and ascertain the
accuracy of any and all gas meters used or intended to be used for
measuring or ascertaining the quantity of illuminating or fuel gas, or
natural gas, furnished by any gas corporation to or for the use of any
person, and any and all electric meters used or intended to be used for
measuring and ascertaining the quantity of electrical current furnished
for light, heat and power by any electrical corporation to or for the use
of any person or persons, and when found to be or made to be correct,
the inspector shall stamp or mark all such meters and each of them
with some suitable device, which device shall be recorded in the office
of the secretary of state.

No corporation or person shall furnish or put in use any gas meter
which shall not have been inspected, proved and sealed, or any electric
meter which shall not have been inspected, approved, stamped or marked
by an inspector of the commission. Every gas and electric corporation
shall provide and keep in and upon its premises a suitable and proper
apparatus, to be approved and stamped or marked by the commission,
for testing and proving the accuracy of gas and electric meters furnished
by it for use, and by which apparatus every meter may and shall be
tested, on the written request of the consumer to whom the same shall
be furnished, and in his presence if he desires it.

1910, ch. 180, sec. 32 (p. 379).

446. If any consumer to whom a meter has been furnished shall
request the commission to inspect such meter, the commission shall have
the same inspected and tested; if the same, on being tested, shall be
found to be four per cent., if an electric meter, or two per cent., if a
gas meter, defective or incorrect, to the prejudice of the consumer, the
inspector shall order the gas or electrical corporation forthwith to
remove the same and to place instead thereof a correct meter, and the
expense of such inspection and test shall be borne by the corporation,
if the same, on being so tested, shall be found to be correct, the expense
of such inspection and test shall be borne by the consumer. A uniform
reasonable charge shall be fixed by the commissioner for this service.

1910, ch. 180, sec. 33 (p. 379).

447. No gas corporation or electrical corporation incorporated under
the laws of this or any other State shall begin construction or exercise