City of Billings v. Public Service Commission

The city of Billings during the year 1907 granted to P. A. Williams a franchise, authorizing him to construct a plant for the purpose of distributing to the public hot water for heating purposes, and permitting him to lay and maintain pipes and the like under the streets and public places in the city in furtherance of that purpose. Among its provisions the ordinance fixed rates to be charged private consumers for heat to be furnished, and it was provided that: ‘ ‘ The regulation and control of prices and rates for heating service under this ordinance shall be subject to any statute of this…