Salt Lake Tribune | 1917-12-30 | Page 74 | Utilities Board Duties Growing

UTILITIES BOARD u DUTIESJRDWiG Commission Strict in Enforcement En-forcement of Rule for Report Re-port of Accidents, SAFETY FIRST, IS AIM Gives Especial Attention to Any Complaints in Violation Viola-tion of Regulations. A new regulating body in Utah whos duties and activities are constantly growing grow-ing in scope and importance the stale public vi till ties commission. It is com-'K)sed com-'K)sed of Judtic Joshua Greenwood, chair-i chair-i man. formerly of the Fifth judicial dis- trict, Henry B. Blood of Kayavllle and ' Warren Stoutnour. formerly an engineer for the Salt lake & Ogden railway. T. K. "w Banning of this city is secretary to the commission. In the hands of the commission Is control con-trol of public utilities - the Intrastate activities ac-tivities of railroads, telegraph, telephone, express nnd similar companies. Jt. also has charge of certain activities of power, liKht. gas. water and other concerns serving serv-ing the public, a.s well as automobile and other motor vehicle transportation companies. com-panies. Must Make Reports. One of the rules being enforced by the commission is that requiring all common carriers to Immediately report any accident, acci-dent, however trivial or serious, which may happen in pursuit of their business. When report of an accident it received a representative of the commission is sent to the scene to make investigation, if such may be deemed necessary. Circumstances Circum-stances involved In an accident are made lo serve as information In subsequent ly causing improvements or taking other steps to avoid repetition. Proposals to increase rates charged to patrons by any public utility In Utah must also come before the commission by petition peti-tion for permission to make the desired advance. Upon presentation of a petition of this character it is filed pending receipt re-ceipt of protests. Dates of hearings on the petitions are fixod and made public bv the commission, so that both sides to a'nv question of this sort arising may have due notice and be given opportunity to be heard. Safety Is Aim. Public safely is a chief aim of the commission, and it pays particular attention atten-tion to any complaint of lack in this respect. re-spect. The ob.iect of the commission i to have citizens properly safeguarded against accident through negligence on Ut part of public utilities, the members inviting in-viting public investigation of any grievance griev-ance which exists by filing at the office petition against dangerous practices or physical equipment employed. judging from the gradually increasinc business which comes before the commission, commis-sion, it is destined to become one of the most active public regulative bodies connected con-nected with the state government. J