Chap. 0112 An Act providing for an investigation by the department of public utilities of the rate structure of the new england telephone and telegraph company.
Whereas, The deferred operation of this act would tend to defeat its purpose, which is to protect the public interest in regard to telephone and telegraph service, therefore it is hereby declared to be an emergency law, necessary for the immediate preservation of the public interest and convenience.
Be it enacted, etc., as follows:
Section 1. The department of public utilities is hereby authorized and directed to make an investigation of the rate structure of the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company, with a view to determining what action should be taken to best protect the public interest in regard to the application for an increase in certain rates charged by said company. Said department shall have the power to summon witnesses and to require the production of books, records, contracts and papers, and the giving of testimony under oath, and may expend for the purposes of this act such sums as may be appropriated therefor. Said department shall report the results of its investigation in its annual report in the current year.
Section 2. For personal services and expenses of an investigation of the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company, as authorized by this act, there is hereby appropriated from the General Fund the sum of seventy-five thousand dollars. Approved March 8, 1953.