Explore how leading railroad and public service commissions work, with practical insights from regulators across several states.
This report presents the methods, structure, and daily tasks of major commissions. It draws on firsthand visits to several state bodies and the Interstate Commerce Commission to explain how these agencies study property values, set rates, file tariffs, and supervise utilities.
- How commissions organize themselves and staff their key divisions, from tariff and traffic to engineering and auditing.
- How physical valuations and asset data feed into rate decisions and public service oversight.
- How filings, hearings, and compliance are handled for stock issues, projects, and new franchises.
- What regulatory practice looks like in action, including procedural approaches and interagency comparisons.
Ideal for readers seeking historical context on regulatory practice, or anyone curious about how public utilities are governed and regulated in the early 20th century.