974 ARTICLE 23

the Commission or by a court or judge thereof or authorized by law, shall
be guilty of a misdemeanor.

Have full and plenary power to value the plant, property, appurtenances,
assets and franchises of such persons or corporation.

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

Examine all persons and corporations under its supervision, keep in-
formed 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 submit to
it an annual report, verified by the oath of the president, treasurer or general
manager thereof, showing in detail: (1) The amount of its authorized
capital stock and the amount thereof issued and outstanding; (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 amount 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 Com-
mission. Such reports shall be in the form, cover the period and.be sub-
mitted 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 of Maryland. The amount re-
covered 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, build-
ings, plants, factories, power-houses and officers of any such corporations 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 per-
taining to the affairs being investigated by it.