The Following Are the Rules of Procedure Adopted by the Board in Matters Coming Before It.

Complaints.

Complaints to the Board against railroad companies should be made in writing, and the cause of complaint should be stated clearly. Upon receipt of a complaint a copy is sent to the railroad company, which must answer within ten days, unless longer time is allowed by the Board. A copy of the answer is sent to the complainant, and, if not satisfactory, issue is joined, a hearing held and a decision rendered.

Change of Name.

See sections 2411-2417, Code of Civil Procedure.

Increase of Capital Stock.

(Section 46, Stock Corporation Law.)

Application must be made by verified petition. A date for hearing will be fixed. The Board requires:

First. Three certificates of the proceedings of the meeting of the stockholders, two to be indorsed and one to be filed in this office. Second. A sworn statement of the financial condition of the company as to the amount of the capital stock, outstanding indebtedness and the cost of road and equipment.

Third. A sworn statement in detail of the purposes to which the proposed increase is to be devoted, and, if for further construction or equipment, an estimate in detail of the cost thereof made by a person competent to make the same, verified.

Reduction of Capital Stock.

(Section 46, Stock Corporation Law.)

Application must be made by verified petition. A date for hearing will be fixed. The Board requires:

First. Three certificates of the proceedings of the meeting of the stockholders, two to be indorsed and one to be filed in this office.

Second. A sworn statement from the proper officer of the company that the reduced capital is sufficient for the proper pur poses of the corporation and is in excess of its debts and liabilities, the aggregate amount of such debts and liabilities to be stated.

Consent to the Issue of Mortgage.

(Subdivision 10, section 4, Railroad Law, as amended by chapter 583, Laws of 1899.)

Application must be made by verified petition. A date for hearing will be fixed. The Board requires:

First. Proof of consent of the stockholders under the statute. Second. A sworn statement of the financial condition of the company as to the amount of the capital stock authorized and the amount outstanding, and amount of mortgage bonds and indebtedness authorized and amount outstanding; also a sworn statement of the cost of road and equipment.

Third. A sworn statement in detail of the purposes to which the proceeds of the proposed mortgage are to be devoted, and, if for further construction or equipment, an estimate in detail of the cost thereof, made by a person competent to make the same, verified.

Filing of Maps of Railroads.

(Section 6, Railroad Law.)

Section 6 of the Railroad Law shows in detail what is required.

Discontinuance of Railroad Stations.

(Section 34, Railroad Law.)

Application must be made by verified petition. The Board will in each case prescribe rules for proof in applications under this section.

Accommodation of Connecting Railroads.

(Section 35, Railroad Law.)

Application must be made by verified petition. The Board will in each case prescribe rules for proof in applications under this section.

Railroads Crossing Each Other at Grade.

(Section 36, Railroad Law.)

Application must be made by verified petition. The Board requires:

First. As to the precedence of trains. The Board will in each case prescribe rules for proof in applications under this provision. Second. In applications for approval of an interlocking switch

and signal apparatus at such crossings, a hearing will be given at which a blue print or sketch of the proposed system must be submitted to the Board, which shall show distant signals at least 1,500 feet from the crossing (except where impracticable), home signals and throw-off switches (except where impracticable), all interlocked and operated from a tower.

Safety Devices.

(Section 50, Railroad Law.)

Application must be made by verified petition. Applications under this section will be considered under rules made for each case.

Cooking Stoves in Cars.

(Section 51, Railroad Law.)

Application must be made by verified petition. In applications under this section for approval of cooking stoves in dining cars, the Board must see the stove proposed to be used, or a blue print or sketch of it.

Cessation of Operation of Railroads During the Winter Months.

(Section 55, Railroad Law. See section 21, Railroad Law.) Application must be made by verified petition. The Board will require notice of hearing on applications under this section to be advertised. Proof must be furnished that the road comes within the meaning of the section, and that the public interests will not suffer from the cessation of operation. If the application is granted, proof must be subsequently made that the order has been posted as required by section 55.

Fixing Compensation for Transportation of the Mails.

(Section 56, Railroad Law.)

Rules of procedure under this section will be formulated in each case.

Extension of Time in which to File Reports of Railroad Companies. (Section 57, Railroad Law.)

Application under this section must be accompanied by a statement of the reasons why an extension of time in which to file reports is necessary.