THIRTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Railroad Commission OF South Carolina For the Year Ending December 31st, 1915 PART II Which Includes the General Rules and Regulations Governing Steam and Interurban Railroads, Telegraph, Telephone and Express Companies. General Rules of the Railroad Commission of South Carolina Subject to Change Without Notice COMPLAINT AND ANSWERS. Rule No. 1. All complaints or petitions to the Commission must plainly and distinctly state the grounds of complaint, the items being numbered, and clearly set forth in writing. In like manner, all defenses must be distinctly made in writing, and the items correspondingly numbered, as above stated. These specifications, whether of complaint or of defense, may be accompanied, if the parties so desire, by any explanation or argument, or by any suggestion touching the proper remedy or policy. The parties may also be heard in person, or by attorney, or by written argument, upon such written statements being first filed. AFFIDAVITS REQUIRED. Rule No. 2. When expressly ordered, upon the hearing of any cause that may hereafter come on to be heard before the Commission, the respective parties shall present the testimony of their witnesses by affidavits, in like manner as the same are now by law required to be submitted upon the hearing of applications for injunctions. COPIES OF AFFIDAVITS TO BE FURNISHED OPPOSITE SIDE. Rule No. 3. All affidavits, intended to be offered by either party, shall be served upon the opposite party, his counsel or agent, having control of his case, at least five days, and all counter-affidavits at least twelve hours, before the day for their hearing. This rule. of procedure will be varied only when, in the exercise of a sound discretion, this Commission shall be of the opinion that a departure from this letter thereof may be necessary to the attainment of substantial justice. PUBLIC SESSIONS, WHEN HELD. Rule No. 4. The regular sessions of the Commission for the hearing of contested cases will be held at its office in Columbia, S. C., Wednesday of each week at 10 o'clock a. m., unless otherwise ordered by the Commission. When special sessions are held at other places such regulations as may be necessary will be made by the Commission. SUSPENSION OF RULES. Rule No. 5. The Commission reserves the right to suspend or modify, at its discretion, the enforcement of any of its rules, rates, orders or other regulations, where, in its opinion, the conditions are such in any particular instance, that a strict enforcement of such rules or other regulations would result in hardships or injustice. NOTICE TO BE POSTED. Rule No. 6. All railroad companies, operating in South Carolina as common carriers, shall be required to have printed in large type and kept posted in a conspicuous place in each waiting room at their depots in South Carolina, the following notice: "NOTICE. "All railroad companies are required, under the laws of South Carolina and the rules of the Railroad Commission, to bulletin trains when late, to furnish good, wholesome drinking water to passengers, to keep waiting rooms and passenger coaches clean, well lighted, properly ventilated, and comfortably heated when necessary. "The Railroad Commission of South Carolina would appreciate the prompt reporting to its office at Columbia. S. C., of the failure of any company or its agents to comply with these requirements." OPENING WAITING ROOMS. Rule No. 7. At junction points, railroad companies shall be required to open their depot waiting rooms for the accommodation of the traveling public at least thirty minutes before the schedule time for the arrival of all passenger trains, or trains carrying passengers. At local, or non-junction points, all such waiting rooms shall likewise be opened: Provided, That the same shall not be required to be opened, nor kept open, after 10 o'clock p. m., except for delayed trains due before that hour, in which case such rooms. shall be kept open until the actual arrival of such delayed trains. WAITING ROOMS. Rule No. 8. A separate room for white and colored passengers, sufficient for their comfort and convenience, shall be provided at all stations where passenger tickets are offered for sale, and these waiting rooms shall be furnished with adequate lights, and, when the inclemency of the weather requires, with fire, and at all times. kept clean and made comfortable for passengers. A substantial water cooler must be in each waiting room with drinking vessel conveniently placed. The said cooler to be supplied with wholesome water at all hours to meet the requirements of passengers. There shall be connected with each of these waiting rooms, whenever practicable, except at flag stations on the railroad lines where there is no regularly kept passenger station, two separate and distinct water closets, one for female passengers and one for male passengers, and said closets shall be kept in fit. and suitable condition for use and convenience of said passengers. Such toilets will be considered as connected with the waiting rooms if the walks thereto are walled up on each side and open into or near the waiting rooms so as to afford a reasonable privacy to passengers. HEATING, LIGHTING, ETC., OF COACHES. Rule No. 9. On all passenger trains, or trains carrying passengers in this State, the railroad companies shall furnish safe and adequate heating appliances and lights, and shall keep the passenger coaches clean, sufficiently warm, and properly ventilated for the comfort of passengers. All passenger coaches, including closets, after reaching their destination and before being put in service for further use, must be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. HANDLING BAGGAGE. Rule No. 10. All railroad companies shall provide such means or appliances as may be necessary to secure the careful handling of and prevent injury to baggage. At all stations where no proper |