Ex Parte Goodrich

Petitioner is one of the officers and agents of the Pacific Light & Power Company. The Pacific Light & Power Company is a quasi public corporation, engaged in supplying electricity for light and power to the general public in the city of Los Angeles. Petitioner was convicted criminally of a violation of ordinance No. 20,455 (new series), of the city of Los Angeles. He seeks his discharge under this writ, contending that the ordinance is void. The ordinance in terms declares it to be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation, or agent thereof, supplying electric light or electric current for lighting purposes to the city of Los Angeles, or to the inhabitants thereof, “to make any charge or to demand, collect or receive any compensation or consideration, or any payment, deposit or advance for furnishing any carbon filament incandescent light of eight or more candle power to or for installing the same ... or for renewing any such lamp that shall have burned out.” The ordinance further provides that it shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation, or the agent thereof, so furnishing or supplying electric light or electric current “to fail, refuse or neglect to furnish on…