MARVIN MANDEL,

Governor

2035

secretary to the Commission,] or any hearing examiner
shall have the power to [administer oaths,] examine
witnesses, [and] conduct hearings and [any authorized
personnel of the Commission may] perform any other acts
necessary to the conduct of proceedings. THE COMMISSION,
ANY COMMISSIONER, THE SECRETARY TO THE COMMISSION, OR ANY
HEARING EXAMINER SHALL HAVE THE POWER TO ADMINISTER
OATHS.

(B) IN ALL MATTERS BEFORE THE COMMISSION, UNLESS
THE COMMISSION DETERMINES THE PUBLIC INTEREST WOULD NOT
BE SERVED THEREBY, THE STAFF OF THE COMMISSION SHALL
[[ACT AS THE ADVOCATE FOR THE PUBLIC INTEREST]] HAKE AN
EVIDENTIARY PRESENTATION REFLECTING THE STAFF'S ANALYSIS

OF THE ISSUES AND ITS RECOMMENDATIONS [[WITH RESPECT TO

THE INTEREST OF THE PUBLIC AS A WHOLE]]. IN MAKING ITS
ANALYSIS AND RECOMMENDATIONS, THE STAFF SHALL BE GOVERNED

BY THE CONSIDERATIONS SET FORTH IN SECTION 56. TO

DISCHARGE THIS RESPONSIBILITY IT SHALL HAVE ALL RIGHTS OF
A PARTY TO THE PROCEEDING, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
THOSE SPECIFIED IN § 82, AND, TO THE EXTENT IT DEEMS
NECESSARY IN A PARTICULAR CASE, IT SHALL PRESENT DIRECT
AND REDIRECT CASES OF ITS OWN, CROSS-EXAMINE, SUBMIT
BRIEFS, AND ENGAGE IN ORAL ARGUMENT TO INSURE THAT THE
COMMISSION HAS A COMPLETE RECORD ON ALL RELEVANT ISSUES.

77.

(b) If any complaint is filed with the Commission
which concerns the illuminating power, purity or pressure
of gas; or the initial efficiency of the electric
incandescent lamp supply; or the regulation of the
voltage of the said supply system or the price of gas or
electricity, and the complaint is signed by the PEOPLE'S
COUNSEL, THE chief executive or local legislative bodies
of any municipality or county in which any gas or
electric company is authorized to operate, or by not less
than 100 customers of the gas or electric company, whose
names and addresses by street and number, if any, are set
out in the complaint, the Commission shall not take final
action thereon without itself conducting an investigation
of the matters complained of.

82.

Any party to any [hearing] PROCEEDING shall have, in
addition to any other rights to which he may be entitled:

(a)   The right to summon witnesses, present evidence
with respect to the issues involved, and present argument
to the commissioners who are to render or approve the
decision.

(b)  The right of cross—examination and the right to
submit rebuttal evidence.

(c) The right to take depositions within or without
the State of Maryland, in accordance with the procedure