When any public utility shall seek the benefit of any order of the commission allowing it to charge and collect rates higher than charged at the time said order is asked for, the burden of proving the necessity of the increase shall be upon such applicant.
Source. 1913, 145:10. PL 242:8. RL 292:10. 1951, 203:46 par. 8, eff. Sept. 1, 1951.