ART. 23] PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION. 269

Have power, in its discretion, to prescribe uniform methods of keep-
ing accounts, records and books, to be observed by the persons, gas
corporations and electrical corporations engaged in the manufacture,
sale and distribution of gas and electricity for light, heat or power.

Examine all persons and corporations under its supervision, keep
informed as to the methods employed by them in the "transaction of
their business and see that their property is maintained and operated
for the security and accommodation of the public and in compliance
with the provisions of the law and of their franchises and charters.

Require every person and corporation under its supervision to sub-
mit to it -an annual report, verified by the oath of the president, treas-
urer or general manager thereof, showing in detail: (1) The amount
of its authorized capital stock and the amount thereof issued and out-
standing; (2) the amount of its authorized bonded indebtedness and
the amount of its bonds and other forms of evidence of indebtedness
issued and outstanding; (3) its receipts and expenditures during the
preceding year; (4) the amount paid as dividends upon its stock and
as interest upon its bonds; (5) the names and amounts paid as salary
to each officer, and the amounts paid as wages to its employees; (6) the
location of its plant or plants and system, with a full description of its
property and franchises, stating in detail how each franchise stated to
be owned was acquired, and (7) such other facts pertaining to the
operating and maintenance of the plant and system and the affairs of
such persons or corporations as may be required by the Commission.
Such reports, shall be in the form, cover the period and be submitted
at the time prescribed by the Commission. The Commission may, from
time to time, make changes and additions in such forms, giving to the
persons, or corporations and municipalities six months' notice before
the time fixed by the Commission as the expiration of the fiscal year
of any changes or additions which would require any alteration in the
method or form of keeping their accounts for the ensuing year. When
such report is defective or believed to be erroneous the Commission
shall notify the person or corporation making such report to amend
the same within thirty days. Any such person or corporation which
shall neglect to make any such report within the time specified by the
Commission, or which shall fail to correct any such report within 30
days after notice shall be liable to a penalty of one hundred dollars,
and an additional penalty of one hundred dollars for each day after
the prescribed time for which it shall neglect to file or correct the same,
to be sued for in the name of the State Maryland. The amount
recovered in any such action shall be paid to the State Treasury, one-
fourth thereof, however, to be paid to the Mayor and City Council of
Baltimore. The Commission may extend the time herein limited for
cause shown.

Have power, either through its members or inspectors, or.employees,
duly authorized by it, to enter in or upon and to inspect the property,