CORPORATIONS. 841

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.

An. Code, sec. 446. 1910, ch. 180, sec. 32 (p. 379).

389. 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 com-
missioner for this service.

An. Code, sec. 447. 1910, ch. 180, sec. 33 (p. 379). 1924, ch. 48, sec. 447.

390. No gas corporation or electrical corporation incorporated under
the laws of this or any other State shall begin construction or exercise any
right or privilege under any franchise hereafter granted or under any
franchise heretofore granted but not heretofore actually exercised, without
first having obtained the permission and approval of the commission.
Before such certificate shall be issued a certified copy of the charter of such
corporation shall be filed in the office of the Commission, together with a
verified statement of the president and secretary of the corporation, show-
ing that it has received the required consent of the proper municipal author-
ities. No municipality, except the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore,
shall build, maintain and operate for other than municipal purposes, any
works or systems for the manufacture and supplying of gas or of electricity
for lighting purposes, without a certificate of authority granted by the Com-
mission, provided, however, that this section shall not apply to such muni-
cipalities as owned, operated and maintained on and prior to the date of
the creation of the Public Service Commission, and presently own, operate
and maintain a gas or electric plant devoted in whole or in part to the sup-
plying of the inhabitants of such municipalities with gas or electricity, for
lighting or power purposes, nor shall this section apply to the Mayor and
Council of Hagerstown nor to such municipality or municipalities having
a population in excess of 20,000 and an assessable basis in excess of
$15,000,000, when the majority of voters of such municipality or muni-
cipalities, at a duly held election, shall vote in favor of municipal owner-
ship of lighting or power plant. If the certificate of authority is refused
no further proceedings shall be taken before the Commission, but a new
application may be made therefor after six months from the date of refusal.

See notes to sec. 347.