CORPORATIONS. 131

thereby a statement in writing of its reasons for such suspension may sus-
pend the operation of such schedule and defer the use of such rate, fare,
charge, classification, regulation or practice but not for a longer period
than one hundred and twenty days beyond the time when such rate, fare,
charge, classification, regulation or practice would otherwise go into effect;
and after full hearing, whether completed before or after the rate, fare,
charge, classification, regulation or practice goes into effect, the Commis-
sion may make such order in reference to such rate, fare, charge, classifica-
tion, regulation or practice as would be proper in a proceeding initiated
after the rate, fare, charge, classification, regulation or practice had become
effective. If any such hearing cannot, he concluded within the period of
suspension, as above stated, the Commission may, in its discretion, extend
the time of suspension for a further period not exceeding thirty days. And
if the proceeding has not been concluded and an order made at the expira-
tion of such thirty days, the proposed change of rate, fare, charge, classifi-
cation, regulation or practice shall go into effect at the end of such period,
but in case of a proposed increased rate or charge, the Commission may by
order require the said proponent or proponements to keep accurate account
in detail of all amounts received, by reason of such increases, specifying by
whom and in whose behalf such amounts are paid, and upon completion
of the hearing and decision, may, by further order, require the said pro-
ponent or proponents to refund with interest, to the persons in whose behalf
such amounts were paid, such portion of such increased rates or charges
as by its decision shall be found not justified. At any hearing involving
any new schedule as hereinbefore in this section provided after the passage
of this Act, the burden of proof to show that each proposed new schedule
or any part thereof is just and reasonable shall be upon the said proponent
or proponents by whom or on whose behalf such new schedule has been
filed, and the Commission shall give to the hearing and decision of such
questions preference over all other questions pending before it and decide
the same as speedily as possible.

1927, ch. 335, sec. 364B.

364B. If upon the hearing of any petition filed with the Public Service
Commission at any time by a public service corporation, company or indi-
vidual, it shall be made to appear to the satisfaction of the Commission
that the public interest requires a change in a rate, fare, charge, classifica-
tion, regulation or practice, or that such change is necessary for the pur-
pose of providing adequate and efficient service, or for the preservation of
property, the Commission, upon such terms, conditions or safeguards as it
deems proper, may authorize an immediate reasonable, temporary increase
in a rate, fare or charge, or a change in a classification, regulation or
practice.

365.

This section applies only between carriers and users of their facilities; no
application to commissions paid by taxi company to third persons. Mundon v.
Taxicab Co., 151 Md. 455.