Raymond Lumber Co. v. Raymond Light & Water Co.

Citations

• 92 Wash. 330
• 159 P. 133
• 1916 Wash. LEXIS 762

Syllabus

<p>Constitutional Law — Legislative Powers — Police Powers — Public Service Corporations — Regulation. The regulation of the rates of a public service water company is within the police power of the state and has been conferred upon the public service commission.</p> <p>Waters and Water Courses — Contracts — Regulation — Subsequent Legislation. A contract for a water supply made by a public service corporation, being upon a subject within the police power, is entered into with a view of [he continuing power of control by the state; and though valid when made, may be abrogated by the public service commission’s rates, established pursuant to subsequent legislation.</p> <p>Constitutional Law — Police Power. The police power of the state is not a delegated but a reserved power.</p> <p>Same — Obligation of Contract. The Federal inhibition against laws impairing the obligation of a contract is not applicable to legislation within the scope of the police power.</p> <p>Waters and Water Courses — Public Supply — Rates — Regulation — Contracts—Abrogation — Power of Public Service Commission. The public service commission law does not operate to terminate contracts for the supplying of water in force at the date of its taking effect, or upon the taking effect of schedules fixed by the public service commission, but it does confer power on the commission to order the parties to terminate such contracts, by Rem. 1915 Code, § 8626-34, providing that nothing in the public service commission act shall prevent certain public service corporations from continuing to furnish product under any contract in force when the act was passed, provided, that the public service commission shall have power to direct by order that such contract shall be terminated, and provided further, that the commission shall have no power to terminate any contract for the furnishing of water based upon a consideration passing at the time of the execution of such contract.</p> <p>Constitutional Law — Police Po