THE NARRAGANSETT ELECTRIC COMPANY
PREFERRED STOCK PREFERENCE PROVISIONS
That, effective upon December 15, 1997, the rights and preferences for the
class of preferred stock of this Company which rights and preferences were
initially voted by the common stockholders and the directors of this Company
at meetings held May 28, 1940 and were amended at special meetings of said
common stockholders and directors held on November 10, 1953, March 4, 1971,
March 15, 1971, and March 23, 1993, be and hereby are further amended so that
said preferred stock (all preferred stock, whether of the same or a different
series, the same or a different class, the same or a different par value, so
long as said preferred is on a parity as to dividends and assets, being
hereinafter called the "Preferred Stock") shall entitle the holders thereof to
the following rights and preferences as to dividends, voting power and other
incidents:
1. Before any dividends on, or any distribution of assets (by purchase
of shares or otherwise) to holders of, the Common Stock or any other stock
ranking junior to the Preferred Stock as to dividends (both hereinafter in
this subdivision 1 called "junior stock") shall be paid or set apart for
payment or otherwise provided for, the holders of the Preferred Stock at the
time outstanding shall be entitled to receive, but only when and as declared
by the Board of Directors, out of any funds legally available for the
declaration of dividends, cumulative dividends at the annual dividend rate per
share fixed for the particular series payable quarterly on the first days of
February, May, August and November in each year commencing on a date specified
for the first dividend date as herein provided to shareholders of record on
the respective dates, not exceeding forty-five (45) days preceding such
dividend payment dates, fixed in advance for the purpose by the Board of
Directors prior to the payment of each particular dividend. No dividends
shall be declared on any series of the Preferred Stock in respect of any
quarter-yearly dividend period, unless there shall likewise be declared on all
shares of all series of the Preferred Stock at the time outstanding, like
proportionate dividends, ratably, in proportion to the respective annual
dividend rates fixed therefor, in respect of the same quarter-yearly dividend
period, to the extent that such shares are entitled to receive dividends for
such quarter-yearly dividend period. The dividends on shares of all series of
the Preferred Stock shall be cumulative. In the case of all shares of each
particular series, the dividends on shares of such series shall be cumulative:
(i) on shares of Preferred Stock issued prior to the record
date for the first dividend on the shares of such series,
from the date for the particular series fixed therefor;
(ii) on shares of Preferred Stock issued after a record date
for a dividend, but prior to the dividend payment date for
such dividend, from said dividend payment date; and
(iii) otherwise from the quarter-yearly dividend payment date
next preceding the date of issue of such shares;
so that dividends accrued on all outstanding shares of Preferred Stock to the
next succeeding dividend payment date shall have been paid in full or declared
and set apart for payment before there shall be any dividend or distribution
on, or purchase of, junior stock. The holders of the Preferred Stock shall
not be entitled to receive any dividends thereon other than the dividends
referred to in this subdivision 1 and other than distributions provided in
subdivision 5 below.
2. As used herein, the expression "dividends accrued" shall mean the
sum of amounts with respect to all shares of Preferred Stock then outstanding,
which as to each share shall be an amount computed at the rate per annum of
the par value thereof fixed for the particular series from the date from which
dividends on such share become cumulative to the date with reference to which
the expression is used, less the aggregate of all dividends paid on such
share, irrespective of whether such amount shall have been declared as
dividends or there shall have existed any assets available for the payment
thereof.
3. The Company, pursuant to action of its Board of Directors or as
provided in subparagraph (1) of subdivision 6 below, may redeem the whole or
any part of any series of the Preferred Stock at the time outstanding, at any
time or from time to time, by paying in cash as herein provided the redemption
price of the shares of the particular series fixed therefor, together with
dividends accrued to the date fixed for sch redemption (hereinafter called the
"redemption date"), and by mailing, postage prepaid, at least thirty (30) days
and not more than ninety (90) days prior to the date fixed for said redemption
a notice specifying said redemption date to the holders of record of the
Preferred Stock to be redeemed, at their respective addresses as the same
shall appear on the books of the Company; provided, however, that the exercise
by the Company of is right to redeem shares of any particular series may be
subject to such restrictions as are determined for said series. In case of
the redemption of a part only of any series of the Preferred Stock at the time
outstanding, the Company shall select by lot or in such other manner as the
Board of Directors may determine, the shares so to be redeemed. If such
notice of redemption shall have been so mailed, and if on or before the
redemption date specified in such notice all funds necessary for such
redemption shall have been set aside by the Company, separate and apart from
its other funds, in trust for the account of the holders of the shares to be
redeemed, so as to be and continue to be available therefor, then, on and
after said redemption date, notwithstanding that any certificate for the
shares of the Preferred Stock so called for redemption shall not have been
surrendered for cancellation, the shares represented thereby shall no longer
be deemed outstanding, the right to receive dividends thereon shall cease to
accrue, and all rights with respect to such shares of Preferred Stock so
called for redemption shall forthwith cease and terminate, except only the
right of the holders thereof to receive, out of the funds so set aside in
trust, the amount payable upon redemption thereof, but without interest;
provided, however, that if, after mailing said notice as aforesaid and prior
to the redemption date specified in sch notice, said funds shall be set aside
by deposit in trust, for the account of the holders of the Preferred Stock to
be redeemed, with a bank or trust company in good standing, organized under
the laws of the United States of America or of the State of Rhode Island,
having a capital, undivided profits and surplus aggregating at least
$5,000,000, thereupon all shares of the Preferred Stock with respect to which
such deposit shall have been made shall no longer be deemed to be outstanding,
and all rights with respect to such shares of Preferred Stock shall forthwith
upon such deposit in trust cease and terminate, except only the right of the
holders thereof to receive from such deposit the amount payable upon the
redemption but without interest. In case the holders of the Preferred Stock
which shall have been redeemed shall not within four years of the date of
redemption thereof claim any amount so deposited in trust for the redemption
of such shares, such bank or trust company shall, upon demand, pay over to the
Company any such unclaimed amount so deposited with it and shall thereupon be
relieved of all responsibility in respect thereof, and the Company shall not
be required to hold the amount so paid over to it separate and apart from its
other funds, and thereafter the holders of such shares of Preferred Stock
shall as unsecured creditors look only to the Company for payment of the
redemption price thereof, but without interest; provided, however, that before
any such unclaimed amount so deposited shall be paid over to the Company
notice of such payment shall be given to holders of such shares of Preferred
Stock by mailing in the manner hereinbefore provided in this subdivision 3 at
least sixty (60) days prior to the date of any such payment. If there are any
dividends accrued to the last preceding quarterly dividend payment date or
dates on the outstanding Preferred Stock, no Preferred Stock shall be
redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired by the Company unless all series of
Preferred Stock which are redeemable shall be redeemed and unless an offer is
made to purchase all Preferred Stock of any series which is not redeemable at
the time under limited restrictions then applicable thereto at a price equal
to the then redemption price for such series if such restrictions were not
applicable and to purchase all Preferred Stock of any series which is not
redeemable at the time at a price equal to the highest then redemption price
on any outstanding shares of Preferred Stock, after giving effect to the
difference in par value among series or classes of Preferred Stock, or unless
a partial redemption or any purchase or other acquisition shall have been
ordered, approved or permitted under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of
1935. All stock redeemed or purchased under the provisions of this
subdivision 3 shall be retired.
4. If and while at any time a majority of the Common Stock shall be
held by or for the benefit of a single stockholder, said holder may, upon such
consent by the Board of Directors of the Company as would have been required
in the event of a redemption under subdivision 3 above, purchase the whole or
any part of any series of the Preferred Stock at the time outstanding, at any
time or from time to time, at the same price, upon the same notice of
purchase, and in the same manner as near as may be, and with the same effect
on the rights of the then holders of Preferred Stock so purchased as is
provided for the redemption of such series of the Preferred Stock by the
Company itself, provided that when after deposit of funds the rights of the
holders of Preferred Stock (except to receive payment therefrom) shall have
ceased as above provided, the shares of Preferred Stock being purchased shall
not be deemed to be redeemed but such shares shall vest in such holder of the
Common Stock whether or not the certificates for such shares so purchased
shall have been surrendered or whether or not the date specified for such
purchase shall have arrived and such holder of the Common Stock shall be
entitled to all dividends and other distributions on the Preferred Stock so
purchased accruing from such purchase date; and provided further that if there
be a deposit of funds in trust with a bank or trust company unclaimed funds
shall not be paid over to such holder of Common Stock at the end of four years
but shall remain in trust with said bank or trust company until claimed by the
holders of Preferred Stock.
5. In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the
affairs of the Company or any distribution of its capital, then before any
distribution shall be made to the holders of Common Stock or any other stock
ranking junior to the Preferred Stock as to assets, the holders of each series
of the Preferred Stock at the time outstanding shall be entitled to be paid in
cash the amount for the particular series fixed therefor, together in each
case with dividends accrued thereon to the date fixed for payment of such
distributive amounts, and no more. No payments on account of such
distributive amounts shall be made to the holders of any series of the
Preferred Stock unless there shall likewise be paid at the same time to the
holders of each other series of the Preferred Stock at the time outstanding
like proportionate distributive amounts, ratably, in proportion to the full
distributive amounts to which they are respectively entitled. After such
payment to the holders of Preferred Stock, the remaining assets and funds of
the Company shall be divided and distributed among the holders of Common Stock
or any other stock ranking junior to the Preferred Stock as to assets then
outstanding according to their respective rights.
6. (a) The holders of Preferred Stock shall have no right to vote
except as hereinafter specifically provided.
(b) If dividends accrued on the outstanding Preferred Stock
shall at any time and from time to time equal or exceed an amount equivalent
to four (4) full quarterly dividends on any shares of any series of the
Preferred Stock at the time outstanding, then until all dividends in default
on the Preferred Stock shall have been paid, the holders of Preferred Stock,
voting separately as one class, shall be entitled to elect the smallest number
of directors necessary to constitute a majority of the full Board of
Directors, and the holders of stock generally entitled to vote, voting
separately as one class, shall be entitled to elect the remaining members of
the Board of Directors. If and when all dividends then in default on the
Preferred Stock shall thereafter be paid (and such dividends shall be declared
and paid out of any funds legally available therefor as soon as reasonably
practicable), the Preferred Stock shall thereupon be divested of such special
right to elect any member of the Board of Directors, but subject always to the
same provisions for the vesting of such special right in the Preferred Stock
in case of further like default or defaults.
(c) Upon accrual of the right of the holders of the Preferred
Stock to elect a majority of the Board of Directors as above provided in this
subdivision 6, the president, a vice president or the secretary of the Company
shall call a special meeting of the stockholders of the Company for the
purpose of electing a new Board of Directors to be held not less than forty-
five (45) nor more than sixty (60) days after the accrual of such right;
provided, however, that no such special meeting shall be called if the date of
such accrual of such right shall be less than one hundred twenty (120) days
but not less than forty-five (45) days prior to the date otherwise fixed by
the by-laws of the Company for the next annual meeting of the stockholders, in
which event said annual meeting shall be held on the date specified in the by-
laws or a special meeting in lieu thereof called to be held within three (3)
days thereafter. If said officers fail to call such meeting, or fail to hold
such annual meeting or special meeting in lieu thereof within three (3) days
of the date provided therefor in the by-laws, any holder or holders of
Preferred Stock holding in the aggregate one thousand (1,000) shares may call
a special meeting for such purpose.
(d) The notice of any such special meeting, any annual meeting
of the Company or any special meeting in lieu thereof, at which the holders of
the Preferred Stock shall have the right to elect directors, shall be mailed
by the Company not less than thirty (30) days prior to the meeting and state
(x) that by reason of the fact that dividends payable on the Preferred Stock
are or have been in default in an amount equal to or in excess of four (4)
full quarterly dividends on shares of the Preferred Stock, the holders of the
Preferred Stock, voting together as a class, are entitled to elect the
smallest number of directors necessary to constitute a majority of the full
Board of Directors, (y) that any holder of the Preferred Stock has the right
at any reasonable time to inspect and make copies of the list or lists of the
holders of Preferred Stock maintained at the principal office of the Company
or at the office of any transfer agent for the Preferred Stock, and (z) the
substance of the next succeeding paragraph with respect to the number of
shares of Preferred Stock required to be represented at any meeting or
adjournment thereof for the election of directors of the Company at which such
holders have the right to elect directors.
(e) At any such special or annual meeting at which the holders
of the Preferred Stock shall have the right to elect directors, the presence
in person or by proxy of the holders of a majority of the outstanding stock
generally entitled to vote shall be required to constitute a quorum of such
class for the election of directors and the presence in person or by proxy of
the holders of a majority of the outstanding Preferred Stock shall be required
to constitute a quorum of such class for the election of directors; provided,
however, that in the absence of such a quorum of the holders of the Preferred
Stock, no election of directors shall be held but a majority of the holders of
the Preferred Stock who are present in person or by proxy shall have the power
to adjourn the meeting for election of directors to a date not less than
twenty-five (25) nor more than sixty (60) days from the date of such original
meeting. At such adjourned meeting the presence in person or by proxy of the
holders of thirty-five per cent (35%) of the outstanding Preferred Stock shall
constitute a quorum of such class for the election of directors.
(f) In the event any such special or annual meeting of
stockholders shall be adjourned as aforesaid, the president, any vice
president or the secretary of the Company shall, within ten (10) days after
the date of the original meeting, cause notice of the adjourned meeting to be
given to all stockholders of the Company entitled to vote thereat. Such
notice shall contain substantially the statements hereinabove required with
respect to the original meeting, and shall further state that the required
quorum of the holders of the Preferred Stock was not present at such original
meeting and that the holders of thirty-five per cent (35%) of the outstanding
Preferred Stock will constitute a quorum of such class for the election of
directors at such adjourned meeting.
(g) If the requisite quorum of holders of the Preferred Stock
shall not be present at such adjourned meeting, then, in case the original
meeting was a special meeting called as aforesaid, the directors of the
Company then in office shall remain in office until the next annual meeting of
the stockholders of the Company and until their successors have been elected
and shall qualify; or if such original meeting was an annual meeting of the
stockholders or special meeting in lieu thereof, all members of the Board of
Directors to be elected at such meeting shall be elected by a vote of the
holders of a majority of the shares of the stock generally entitled to vote
present in person or represented by proxy at such adjourned meeting.
(h) Upon reversion, pursuant to subparagraph (b) of this
subdivision 6, of the voting powers to their status prior to default, a
special or annual meeting of stockholders generally entitled to vote shall be
held for the purpose of electing directors. Notice thereof shall be given
promptly by the Company and in any case within fifteen (15) days after such
reversion, such notice to be mailed by the Company not less than seven (7) nor
more than ten (10) days prior to such meeting to all stockholders generally
entitled to vote at their respective addresses appearing upon the books of the
Company, unless such notice shall have been waived either before or after the
holding of such meeting by all such stockholders. If the Company fails to
call such meeting or fails to hold such annual meeting within three (3) days
of the date provided therefor in the by-laws, any holder or holders of stock
generally entitled to vote holding in the aggregate one thousand (1,000)
shares may call a special meeting for such purpose.
(i) Forthwith upon the initial election of a majority of the
Board of Directors of the Company by the holders of Preferred Stock pursuant
to subparagraph (b) of this subdivision 6, the terms of office of all persons
who may be directors of the Company at the time shall terminate, whether or
not the holders of stock generally entitled to vote shall then have elected
the remaining members of the Board of Directors, and, if the holders of stock
generally entitled to vote shall not have elected the remaining members of the
Board of Directors, then the directors of the Company in office just prior to
the election of the majority of the Board of Directors by the holders of
Preferred Stock shall appoint the remaining directors of the Company pending
such election by the holders of stock generally entitled to vote. Any
director elected by holders of Preferred Stock shall hold office until the
next annual meeting of the holders of Preferred Stock and until his successor
is chosen and qualified, except that upon the reversion, pursuant to
subparagraph (b) of this subdivision 6, of the voting powers to their status
prior to default, then forthwith upon the election of new directors by the
holders of stock generally entitled to vote, the terms of office of the
directors elected by the holders of Preferred Stock shall terminate.
(j) During any period in which the holders of Preferred Stock
have the right, pursuant to subparagraph (b) of this subdivision 6, to elect a
majority of the Board of Directors, the number of directors constituting the
full Board of Directors shall be the number constituting the full Board of
Directors immediately prior to said period unless it be changed at an annual
meeting of stockholders, by a vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of
the total number of shares of the Preferred Stock of all series then
outstanding and by a vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the total
number of shares of stock generally entitled to vote and then outstanding, to
such number as shall have been stated in the notice of said annual meeting.
(k) In case of any vacancy in the office of a director elected
by the holders of Preferred Stock pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this
subdivision 6, the remaining directors elected by the holders of Preferred
Stock by affirmative vote of a majority thereof, or the remaining director so
elected if there be but one, may elect a successor or successors to hold
office for the unexpired term of the director or directors whose place or
places shall be vacant. The holders of the Preferred Stock at a special
meeting called for the purpose by the holders of an aggregate of not less than
one thousand (1,000) shares of the Preferred Stock, upon notice mailed not
less than thirty (30) days prior to such meeting to all stockholders entitled
to vote thereat, by a vote of a majority of the Preferred Stock issued and
outstanding, may remove from office a director elected by the holders of
Preferred Stock and may elect a successor for the remainder of his term.
(l) Under all circumstances, however, the directors elected by
the holders of stock generally entitled to vote shall have the right, and
neither the holders of Preferred Stock nor any directors elected by the
holders of Preferred Stock under these provisions shall have any right, to
vote upon the question of calling for redemption, or of purchasing, all of the
Preferred Stock at the time outstanding.
(m) Except when some mandatory provision of law shall be
controlling and except as otherwise provided in subparagraph (a) of
subdivision 9 hereof and, as regards the special rights of any series or class
of the Preferred Stock, as provided in the votes creating such series or
class, whenever shares of two or more series or classes of the Preferred Stock
are outstanding, no particular series or class of the Preferred Stock shall be
entitled to vote as a separate series or class on any matter and all shares of
the Preferred Stock of all series or classes shall be deemed to constitute but
one class for any purpose for which a vote of the stockholders of the Company
by classes may now or hereafter be required.
(n) For the purposes of this subdivision 6, in the calculation
of any number, majority, vote, or quorum of the Preferred Stock, each share of
stock bearing $50 par value shall be counted as one and each share of stock
with another par value shall be counted for that proportion of one as its par
bears to $50.
7. No holder of Preferred Stock shall be entitled as such as a matter
of right to subscribe for or purchase any part of any new or additional issue
of stock or warrants carrying rights to stock, or securities convertible into
stock, of any class whatever, whether now or hereafter authorized, and whether
issued for cash, property, services or otherwise. The holders of Preferred
Stock shall have no right to require any distribution to be made by the
Company upon a reduction of the capital stock.
8. Subject to the limitations, if any, hereinafter contained, the
Company may from time to time issue additional capital stock divided into
classes with such preferences as to dividends, voting power and other
incidents as may be determined in accordance with applicable provisions of
law, the charter of the Company and the outstanding capital stock of the
Company. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any such
additional capital stock may be an additional series of Preferred Stock or
additional shares of the initial or any other series of Preferred Stock. The
shares of Preferred Stock of different series and classes, subject to any
applicable provisions of law, may vary as to the following rights and
preferences:
(a) The annual dividend rate, or method of calculation thereof, and
the date from which the dividends on shares issued prior to the record date
for the first dividend shall be cumulative and the date for the first
dividend;
(b) The redemption price or prices, or method of calculation thereof,
and any restriction on the exercise by the Company of its right to redeem such
shares;
(c) The amount or amounts payable upon any liquidation or dissolution
or winding up;
(d) The terms and amount of any sinking fund provided for the purchase
or redemption of shares; and
(e) The conversion, participation or other special rights.
9. So long as any Preferred Stock of any series is outstanding, the
Company shall not, without the vote at a meeting called for that purpose of
the holders of at least two-thirds of the total number of shares of the
Preferred Stock of all series then outstanding and, so long as any shares of
the 4-1/2% Series of the Preferred Stock are outstanding, of at least seventy-
five per cent of the total number of shares of the Preferred Stock of all
series present or represented at the meeting, at which meeting a quorum as
hereinafter provided shall be present or represented:
(a) Make any change in the provisions relative to the Preferred Stock,
or of any outstanding series thereof, which would change the express terms and
provisions of such stock in any manner prejudicial to the holders thereof
except that if such change is prejudicial to the holders of one or more, but
not all of such series, only such two-thirds vote and, so long as any shares
of the 4-1/2% Series of the Preferred Stock are outstanding, such seventy-five
per cent vote of the shares or classes of all series so affected shall be
required; or
(b) Create or authorize any class of stock which shall be preferred as
to dividends or assets over the Preferred Stock or any security convertible
into such class of stock.
No preferred stock so preferred as to dividends or assets over the Preferred
Stock (other than such preferred stock issued upon conversion of another
security) shall be issued more than six months after the above referred to
vote creating or authorizing such class of stock unless within six months
prior to such issue approval thereof has been obtained, at a meeting called
for the purpose, by vote of at least two-thirds of the total number of shares
of Preferred Stock of all series outstanding.
10. So long as any shares of the Preferred Stock of any series are
outstanding, the Company shall not, without the vote at a meeting called for
that purpose of the holders of at least a majority of the total number of
shares of the Preferred Stock of all series then outstanding and, so long as
any shares of the 4-1/2% Series of the Preferred Stock are outstanding and
with respect to subparagraphs (b)(i) and (b)(iv) only of this subdivision, of
at least seventy-five per cent of the total number of shares of Preferred
Stock of all series present or represented at the meeting, at which meeting a
quorum as hereinafter provided shall be present or represented:
(a) Issue shares of any series of Preferred Stock or of any other
stock ranking on a parity therewith as to dividends or assets if after such
issue the aggregate outstanding shares of all series of Preferred Stock and
such parity stock would exceed $60,000,000 par value.
(b) Issue additional shares of any series of Preferred Stock or of any
other stock ranking prior thereto or on a parity therewith as to dividends or
assets:
(i) So long as any shares of the 4-1/2% Series of the Preferred
Stock are outstanding, unless the par value of its stock ranking
junior to the Preferred Stock as to dividends and assets to be
outstanding immediately after such issue (plus, if the Company so
elects, its surplus as shown by its books provided distribution
on, or purchase of, such junior stock out of such surplus, or a
part thereof to be included for this purpose, is prohibited while
such additional preferred stock is outstanding) shall be at least
equal to the greater of the aggregate par value of, the aggregate
stated value of or the aggregate amount payable on involuntary
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the
Company upon all Preferred Stock of all series and of any other
such prior or parity stock to be outstanding immediately after
such issue;
(ii) Unless the junior stock equity (as defined in subdivision 11
hereof) to be outstanding immediately after such issue shall be at
least equal to the aggregate amount payable on involuntary
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the
Company upon all Preferred Stock of all series and of any other
such prior or parity stock to be outstanding immediately after
such issue; provided, however, that if for the purpose of meeting
this requirement it shall have been necessary to take into
consideration any portion of the earned surplus of the Company,
the Company shall not (until such junior stock equity exclusive of
such portion of earned surplus shall equal such aggregate) pay any
dividends or make any distribution on shares of its stock ranking
junior to the Preferred Stock as to dividends or assets which
would result in reducing such junior stock equity to an amount
less than such aggregate amount payable on involuntary
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the
Company.
(iii) Unless the gross income of the Company after taxes available
for interest on its indebtedness and for dividends on its
Preferred Stock and any other such prior or parity stock,
determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles, for a period of twelve (12) consecutive calendar
months within the fifteen (15) calendar months immediately
preceding the calendar month in which such additional stock is
issued, or in which a contract for the issuance and sale thereof
is made, is at least one and one-half (1-1/2) times the aggregate
of the annual interest charges and dividend requirements on all
interest bearing indebtedness and all series of Preferred Stock
and of such prior or parity stock to be outstanding immediately
after the proposed issue; and
(iv) So long as any shares of the 4-1/2% Series of the Preferred
Stock are outstanding, unless the net earnings of the Company
available for dividends determined in accordance with sound
accounting practice for the same twelve (12) month period are at
least two and one-half (2-1/2) times the annual dividend
requirements on all series of Preferred Stock and of such prior or
parity stock to be outstanding immediately after the proposed
issue.
In said computations in subparagraphs (iii) and (iv)
(aa) Interest on indebtedness and dividends on stock in each
case to be retired with the proceeds of the proposed issue
and similar charges on indebtedness and stock retired or to
be retired prior to the proposed issue from the proceeds of
any such junior stock issued by the Company are to be
excluded;
(bb) Such gross income or net earnings, respectively,
similarly determined for said twelve (12) months period,
from any property acquired by purchase, merger or otherwise
during or after said period or to be acquired in connection
with the proposed issue, may be included for such part of
such period as shall have preceded such acquisition thereof
by the Company; and
(cc) The amount deducted for depreciation shall be the
amount charged by the Company on its books for depreciation
during such period but not less than the greater of (x) two
and one-quarter per cent (2-1/4%) of the arithmetical
average of the gross plant investment in depreciable
property on the books of the Company on the first and last
days of such period (not including in depreciable property
any amounts carried in adjustment accounts on the books of
the Company at each such date) or (y) the largest minimum
depreciation requirement for such period of any mortgage
indenture to which the Company is a party during such
period, computed on the basis as set forth in said mortgage
indenture for a calendar or fiscal year period.
(c) Merge or consolidate with or into any other corporation or
corporations or sell, lease or dispose of all or substantially all its assets,
unless such merger, consolidation, sale, lease or disposition, or the issuance
and assumption of all securities to be issued or assumed in connection
therewith, shall have been ordered, approved, or permitted under the
provisions of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935; provided that
the provisions of this subparagraph (c) shall not apply to a purchase or other
acquisition by the Company of franchises or assets of another corporation in
any manner which does not involve a merger or consolidation.
11. So long as any shares of the Preferred Stock of any series are
outstanding, the payment of dividends on Common Stock or on any other stock of
the Company ranking junior to the Preferred Stock as to dividends or assets
(other than (i) dividends payable in stock ranking junior to the Preferred
Stock as to dividends and assets or (ii) dividends paid in cash if immediately
thereafter there shall be paid to the Company in cash an amount equal to such
dividends for shares of or as a capital contribution with respect to stock
ranking junior to the Preferred Stock as to dividends and assets) and the
making of any distribution of assets to holders of stock ranking junior to the
Preferred Stock as to dividends or assets by purchase of shares or otherwise
(each of such actions being herein embraced within the term "payment of junior
stock dividends") shall be subject to the following limitations:
(a) If and so long as the junior stock equity is, or as a result of
the proposed payment would become, less than twenty per cent (20%) of total
capitalization the payment of junior stock dividends, including the proposed
payment, during the twelve months ending with the last day of the month in
which the proposed payment is to be made shall not exceed fifty per cent (50%)
of the net income of the Company available for the payment of dividends on the
stock ranking junior to the Preferred Stock as to dividends and assets for the
twelve full calendar months immediately preceding the calendar month in which
such dividend is declared; and
(b) If and so long as the junior stock equity is, or as a result of
the proposed payment would become, less than twenty-five per cent (25%) but is
twenty per cent (20%) or more of total capitalization the payment of junior
stock dividends, including the proposed payment, during the twelve months
ending with the last day of the month in which the proposed payment is to be
made shall not exceed seventy-five per cent (75%) of the net income of the
Company available for the payment of dividends on the stock ranking junior to
the Preferred Stock as to dividends and assets for the twelve full calendar
months immediately preceding the calendar month in which such dividend is
declared.
For the purposes of this subdivision 11 "net income" shall be determined
in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, provided,
however, that the amount deducted for depreciation shall be an amount computed
in accordance with clause (cc) of subparagraph (b) of subdivision 10 hereof.
The term "junior stock equity" as used in this subdivision 11 means the
aggregate of the par vale of, or stated capital represented by, the
outstanding shares of stock ranking junior to the Preferred Stock as to
dividends and assets, of the premium on capital stock and of the surplus
(including earned surplus, capital surplus and surplus invested in plant) of
the Company less the excess, if any, of the aggregate amount payable on
involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the
Company upon all outstanding Preferred Stock of the Company over the aggregate
par or stated value thereof and less, unless the amounts or items are being
amortized or are being provided for by reserves, (i) any amounts recorded on
the books of the Company in adjustment accounts for utility plant and other
plant in excess of the original cost thereof, (ii) any intangible items set
forth on the asset side of the balance sheet of the Company as the result of
accounting convention, such as unamortized debt discount and expense and
capital stock discount and expense, and (iii) the excess, if any, during the
period from January 1, 1954 to the end of a month within ninety (90) days
preceding the date as of which junior stock equity is determined, over the
amount charged by the Company on its books during such period for depreciation
of an amount determined as follows:
(x) for the calendar year 1954 and for each full calendar year
thereafter, an amount equal to two and one-quarter per cent (2-
1/4%) of the arithmetical average of the gross plant investment in
depreciable property on the books of the Company on January 1 and
December 31 of such calendar year (not including in depreciable
property any amounts carried in adjustment accounts on the books
of the Company at each such date); and
(y) for any other period an amount equal to the product of one-
twelfth (1/12th) of two and one-quarter per cent (2-1/4%) of the
gross plant investment in depreciable property on the books of the
Company on the first day of the calendar year in such period (not
including in depreciable property any amounts carried in
adjustment accounts on the books of the Company at such date)
multiplied by the number of full calendar months in such period.
The term "total capitalization" as used in this subdivision 11 means the
aggregate of (x) the junior stock equity, (y) the par value of, or stated
capital represented by, the outstanding shares of Preferred Stock and any
other stock ranking prior thereto or on a parity therewith as to dividends or
assets and (z) the principal amount of all outstanding indebtedness of the
Company represented by bonds, notes and other evidences of indebtedness
maturing by their terms more than one year from the date of issue thereof.
12. No stockholders, director, officer or agent of the Company shall
be held individually responsible for any action taken in good faith though
subsequently adjudged to be in violation of these rights and preferences.
13. Every holder of Preferred Stock of the Company by becoming such
shall be held to have consented to all of these provisions and to have agreed
to be bound thereby and to have waived to the full extent permitted by law any
right such holder may have either now or at any time in the future contrary to
these provisions.