762                               LAWS OF MARYLAND                        [CH. 441

47.    (Sliding Scale.)

Any gas or electric company may establish a sliding scale for the
automatic adjustment of charges for gas, electricity, or any service
rendered and dividends to be paid to stockholders of the company.
No such scale shall be effective, however, until filed with the commis-
sion; and nothing in this section shall be construed as derogating
in any respect from the paramount jurisdiction of the commission
over the rates of such companies.

Water Companies

48.    (Rates of Municipalities.)

Upon written application of any county, sanitary district, or
municipal corporation of this state, the commission shall fix or alter
the rates (and only the rates) for water supplied within the boun-
daries of the applicant by any other county or municipal corpora-
tion, as if the supplying subdivision were a water company. This
section shall not apply to Allegany County. Nothing herein shall be
construed to affect Sections 345 and 347 of the Code of Public Local
Laws of Baltimore County (1948 Edition).

SUBTITLE IV—FUNCTIONS, DUTIES, AND POWERS
OF THE COMMISSION

In General

49.    (Construction of Subtitle.)

The commission shall supervise and regulate all public service
companies subject to its jurisdiction, and shall enforce compliance
by such companies with all the requirements of law, including, but
not limited to requirements with respect to financial condition, cap-
italization, franchises, plant, manner of operation, rates, and serv-
ice. The powers and duties enumerated specifically in this subtitle
are not intended to limit the scope of the general powers and duties
of the commission provided for by this Article.

Administrative Powers and Duties

50.    (Annual Report of Commission.)

The commission shall make an annual report to the Governor and
the General Assembly on or before the third Wednesday of Febru-
ary of each year, which shall contain copies of all commission rules,
regulations and orders of the calendar year covered by the report,
and any other information which the commission deems of value.

51.    (Interstate Commerce.)

The commission shall study the rates and service of public service
companies in interstate commerce beyond its jurisdiction, insofar
as they affect the interests of the people of this State, and may
apply to and appear before appropriate agencies of the Federal Gov-
ernment to protect such interests.

52.    (Joint Action.)

The commission may act jointly or concurrently with any official
board or com/mission of the United States or any state thereof or