The commission shall have power, after hearing, to require any or all public utilities to carry a proper and adequate depreciation account in accordance with such rules, regulations, and forms of accounts as the commission may, from time to time, ascertain and determine, and by order fix the proper and adequate rates of depreciation of the several classes of property of each public utility (L. 1913, p. 481, sec. 34).

(7) CONNECTICUT

The commission, shall, annually, on or before the 31st day of December, furnish to each public-service company duplicate blanks for reports, in such form as the commission may prescribe, provided such blanks for reports to be furnished by companies engaged in interstate commerce shall be in the form, if any, required by the Interstate Commerce Commission. Each such company receiving such blank forms shall return one of such reports to the commission on or before the 31st day of March next following, with all questions therein fully answered. All reports shall be for the year ending on the 31st day of December. Such reports shall be signed and sworn to by the president or vice president and treasurer of the company, or by a majority of the trustees or receivers making the same. Each company which shall fail to make such report shall forfeit to the State $25 for each day of such failure, and the commission shall report such forfeiture to the attorney general (General Sts. Rev. 1930, sec. 3602).

None.

(8) DELAWARE

(9) DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Every public utility shall keep and render to the commission, in the manner and form prescribed by the commission, uniform accounts of all business transacted (Code, title 26, sec. 32).

The commission shall prescribe the forms of all books, accounts, papers, and records required to be kept, and every public utility is required to keep and render its books, accounts, papers, and records accurately and faithfully, in the manner and form prescribed by the commission, and to comply with all directions of the commission relating to such books, accounts, papers and records (Code, title 26, sec. 33).

The commission shall cause to be prepared suitable blanks for carrying out these purposes (Code, title 26, sec. 34).

The commission shall provide for the examination and audit of all accounts, and all items shall be allocated to the accounts in the manner prescribed by the commission (Code, title 26, sec. 37).

None.

(10) FLORIDA

(11) GEORGIA

* Said commission shall have the power and authority, whenever it deems advisable, to prescribe, establish, and order a uniform system of accounts to be used by railroads and other corporations over which it has jurisdiction hereunder; the same to be as far as practicable in conformity with the system of accounts prescribed by the Interstate Commerce Commission; to examine all books, contracts, records, and documents of any person or corporation subject to their supervision, and compel the production thereof (Code, sec. 2663).

(12) HAWAII

The commission shall have power,

to prescribe its form

and method of keeping accounts, books, and records, and its accounting system, (S. L., 1933, act 169, sec. 2).

*

(13) IDAHO

The commission shall have power to establish a system of accounts to be kept by the public utilities, subject to its jurisdiction, or to classify said public utilities, and to establish a system of accounts for each class, and to prescribe the manner in which such accounts shall be kept, it may also in its

discretion prescribe the forms of accounts, records, and memoranda to be kept by such public utilities * * as well as the receipts and expenditures of moneys, and any other forms, records, and memoranda which in the judgment of the commission may be necessary to carry out any of the provisions of this chapter (Code 1932, sec. 59-524).

The commission shall have power, after hearing, to require any or all public utilities * * to carry a proper and adequate depreciation account in accordance with such rules, regulations, and forms of accounts as the commission may prescribe. The commission may from time to time ascertain and determine, and by order fix, the proper and adequate rate of depreciation of the several classes of property of each public utility. Each public utility shall conform its depreciation accounts to the rates so ascertained, determined, and fixed, and shall set aside the moneys so provided for out of the earnings and carry the same in a depreciation fund and expend such fund only for such purposes and under such rules and regulations, both as to original expenditure and subsequent replacement as the commission may prescribe. The income from investments of moneys in such public fund shall likewise be carried in such fund (id., sec. 59-525; Sandpoint v. Sandpoint W. & L. Co., P. U. R. 715 F 445; Re Hagar, P. U. R. 1918 E, 451).

(14) ILLINOIS

The commission shall have power to establish a uniform system of accounts to be kept by public utilities, or to classify public utilities, and to establish a uniform system of accounts for each class, and to prescribe the manner in which such accounts shall be kept. It may also, in its discretion, prescribe the forms of accounts to be kept by public utilities, including records of serv ice, as well as accounts of earnings and expenses, and any other forms, records, and memoranda which in the judgment of the commission may be necessary to carry out any of the provisions of this act, (R. S. 1933, ch. 111%, sec. 11).

*

*

The commission may, from time to time, alter, amend, or repeal in whole or in part, any uniform system of accounts, or the form and manner of keeping accounts (id.).

The commission may require every public utility engaged directly or indirectly in other than a public-utility business, as defined by law, to keep separately, in like manner and form, the accounts of all such other business, and the commission may provide for the examination and inspection of the books, accounts, papers, and records of such other business, insofar as it may be necessary to enforce any provision of this act. The commission shall have power to inquire as to and prescribe the apportionment of capitalization, earnings, debts, and expenses fairly and justly to be awarded to or borne by the ownership, operation, management, or control of such public utility as distinguished from such other business (id., sec. 12).

Such system of accounts shall provide for forms showing all sources of income, the amounts due and received from such source, and the amounts expended and due for each purpose, distinguishing clearly all payments for operating expense from those for new construction, extensions, and additions, and for balance sheets, showing assets and liabilities and various forms of proprietary interest (id., sec. 13).

The commission shall have power, after hearing, to require any or all public utilities to keep such accounts as will adequately reflect depreciation, obsolescence, and the progress of the arts. The commission may, from time to time, ascertain and determine, and by order fix, the proper and adequate rate of depreciation of the several classes of property for each public utility; and each public utility shall conform its depreciation accounts to the rates so ascertained, determined, and fixed (id., sec. 14).

The commission may provide for the examination and audit of all accounts, and all items shall be allocated to the accounts in the manner prescribed by the commission * * * (id., sec. 15).

Each public utility in the State shall each year furnish to the commission, in such form as the commission shall require, annual reports as to all the items mentioned in the preceding sections of this article, and in addition such other items, whether of a nature similar to those therein enumerated or other. wise, as the commission may prescribe. ** * The commission shall have authority to require any public utility to file monthly reports of earnings and expenses (id., sec. 19).

(15) INDIANA

Every public utility shall keep and render to the commission, in the manner and form prescribed by the commission, uniform accounts of all business transacted. In formulating a system of accounting for any class of public utilities, the commission shall consider any system of accounting established by any Federal law, commission, or department, and any system authorized by a national association of such utilities (S. 1934, sec. 13919).

The commission shall prescribe the forms of all books, accounts, papers, and records required to be kept; and every public utility is required to keep and render its books, accounts, papers, and records accurately and faithfully in the manner and form prescribed by the commission, and to comply with all directions of the commission relating to such books, accounts, papers, and records (id., sec. 13921).

The commission shall cause to be prepared, suitable blanks for carrying out the purposes of this act and shall, when necessary, furnish such blanks to each public utility (id., 13922).

The commission shall provide for the examination and audit of all accounts, and all items shall be allocated to the accounts, in the manner prescribed by the commission (id., 13925).

Every public utility shall carry a separate, proper, and adequate depreciation account, whenever the commission, after investigation, shall determine that such depreciation account reasonably can be required. The commission, from time to time, shall ascertain and determine the proper and adequate rates of depreciation of the several classes of property of each public utility. The rates, tolls, and charges shall be such as will provide the amounts required over and above the reasonable and necessary operating expenses, to maintain such property in an operating state of efficiency corresponding to the progress of the industry. Each public utility shall conform its depreciation accounts to such rates, so ascertained and determined by the commission. The commission shall make changes in such rates, of depreciation from time to time, as it may find necessary (1925, sec. 1).

The commission shall keep itself informed of all new construction, extensions, and additions to the property of such public utility and shall prescribe the necessary forms, regulations, and instructions to the officers and employees of such public utility for the keeping of construction accounts which shall clearly distinguish all operating expenses and new construction (1933, p. 928, sec. 5).

(16) IOWA

The board may prescribe uniformity in methods of keeping accounts, as near as may be, and fix a time when such regulations shall take effect (Code sec. 7910).

(17) KANSAS

Each public utility governed by the provisions of this act shall furnish to the commission, in such form and at such time as the commission shall require, such accounts, reports, and information as will show in itemized detail (1) the depreciation per unit; * (7) the total and net cost per unit; (8) the gross and net profit per unit; (9) the dividends and interest per unit; (10) surplus or reserve per unit; * and, in addition, such other items,

*

* as the commission may prescribe in order to show completely and in detail the operation of the public utility * * * in furnishing the unit of each product or service to the public (R. S., sec. 66–122).

Every public utility governed by the provisions of this act when and as required by the public utilities commission (corporation commission) shall file an annual report and such monthly or other regular reports, or special reports, and such other information as the public utilities commission (corporation commission) may require. The formation of such reports shall follow as nearly as possible the forms prescribed by the Interstate Commerce Commission. * * * The public utilities commission (corporation commission) may at any time require from any public utility specific answers to any questions upon which it may desire information in connection with matters pending before them (R. S., sec. 66-123; Spena v. Goffe, 112 Kan. 693).

*

The commission shall have authority to examine and audit all accounts, and all items shall be allocated to the accounts prescribed by the commission. The agents, accountants, or examiners employed by the commission shall have authority under the direction of the commission to inspect and examine any and all books, accounts, papers, records, property, and memoranda kept by such public utilities (R. S., sec. 66-129; State ex rel. v. Railway

Company, 115 Kan. 3).

*

(18) KENTUCKY

The commission may establish a system of accounts to be kept by utilities, or may classify utilities, and establish a system of accounts for each class, and prescribe the manner in which such accounts shall be kept: Provided, The system shall as nearly as may be consistently possible conform to the uniform system of accounts as prescribed by the National Association of Railway and Utilities Commissions, (L. 1934, p. 580, sec. 4 (i)).

None.

(19) LOUISIANA

(20) MAINE

Every public utility shall keep and render to the commission, in the manner and form prescribed by the commission, uniform accounts of all business transacted. In formulating a system of accounting for any class of public utilities, the commission shall consider any system of accounting established by any Federal law, commission, or department, and any system authorized by the national association of such utilities (R. S., ch. 62, sec. 17).

The commission shall prescribe the forms of all books, accounts, papers, and records required to be kept, and every public utility is required to keep and render its books, accounts, papers, and records accurately and faithfully in the manner and form prescribed by the commission and to comply with all directions of the commission relating to such books, accounts, papers, and records, * * (R. S., ch. 62, sec. 19).

*

The commission shall cause suitable blanks to be prepared, for carrying out the purposes of this chapter, and shall when necessary, furnish such blanks to each public utility (R. S., ch. 62, sec. 20).

No public utility shall keep any other books, accounts, papers, or records of its business transacted than those prescribed or approved by the commission; provided, however, that nothing contained in this chapter shall require any public utility engaged in interstate commerce, to do, or not to do, anything contrary to the requirements of any Federal law relating thereto (R. S., ch. 62, sec. 21).

Every public utility engaged, directly or indirectly, in any other subsidiary business shall, if ordered by the commission, keep and render separately to the commission, in like manner and form, the accounts of all such business, in which case all the provisions of this chapter shall apply with like force and effect to the books, accounts, papers, and records of such other business (R. S., ch. 62, sec. 18).

The commission shall provide for the examination and audit of all accounts and all items shall be allocated to the accounts in the manner prescribed by the commission (R. S., ch. 55, sec. 23).

(21) MARYLAND

The commission shall have power, in its discretion, to prescribe uniform methods of keeping accounts, records, and books to be observed by ** gas and electric companies (Code, art. 23, sec. 388).

(22) MASSACHUSETTS

Gas and electric companies or persons engaged in the manufacture and sale or distribution of gas or electricity shall keep their books and accounts in a form to be prescribed by the department, and the accounts shall be closed annually so that a balance sheet can be taken therefrom (G. L., ch. 164, sec. 81).

Gas and electric companies and manufacturing companies, or persons engaged in the manufacture and sale of gas or electricity, shall keep such records of their work at their manufacturing station and in respect to their distributing

plant and in such form as the department may from time to time require (id., sec. 82).

(23) MICHIGAN

Commission has power to prescribe a uniform system of accounts for electric companies (Comp. L., ch. 209, sec. 11098).

Municipalities operating utilities shall install a uniform system of accounts (id., sec. 11086).

The commission shall have power, in its discretion, to prescribe uniform methods of keeping accounts, records, and books, to be observed by gas corporations, electrical corporations, and by municipalities engaged in the manufacture, sale, or distribution of gas or electricity for light, heat, or power. It may also, in its discretion, prescribe, by order, forms of accounts, records, and memoranda to be kept by such persons, corporations, and municipalities. Notice of alterations by the commission in the required method or form of keeping a system of accounts shall be given to such persons or corporations by the commission at least 6 months before the same shall take effect. Any other and additional forms of accounts, records, and memoranda kept by such corporation shall be subject to examination by the commission. It shall have power to examine the accounts, books, contracts, records, documents, and papers of any such corporation, person, or municipality, and have power, after hearing, to prescribe by order the accounts in which particular outlays and receipts shall be entered, charged, or credited (Mo. Stat. Ann., sec. 5190). Any person wilfully making a false entry or altering a record shall be guilty of a felony (id., sec. 5252).

(27) MONTANA

Every public utility shall keep and render to the commission, in the manner and form prescribed by the commission, uniform accounts of all business transacted.

Every public utility engaged, directly or indirectly, in any other business than those regulated by commission shall, if required by the commission, keep and render separately to the commission, in like manner and form, the accounts of all such other business, in which case all the provisions of this act shall apply with like force and effect to the books, accounts, papers, and records of such other business.

The commission shall cause to be prepared suitable blanks for carrying out the purposes of this act, and shall, when necessary, furnish such blanks to each public utility.

No public utility shall keep any other books, accounts, papers, or records of the business transacted than those prescribed or approved by the commission. Each public utility shall have an office in one of the towns, villages, or cities in this State in which its property or some part thereof is located, and shall keep in said office all such books, accounts, papers, and records as shall be required by the commission to be kept within the State. No books, accounts, papers, or records required by the commission to be kept within the State shall at any time be removed from the State, except upon such conditions as may be prescribed by the commission (Code of 1921, sec. 3885).

None.

(28) NEBRASKA

(29) NEVADA

Uniform accounts to be kept in manner, form, and detail prescribed by commission (C. L., sec. 6109).