Section 16. No rent for meters to be charged

No gas corporation, electric
  corporation or gas and electric corporation directly or indirectly shall
  charge or collect rent on its gas meters, and any person, or corporation
  violating this provision shall be liable to a penalty of  fifty  dollars
  for  each offense, to be sued for and recovered in the corporate name of
  the city, town or village where  the  violation  occurs,  in  any  court
  having  jurisdiction, and when collected to be paid into the treasury of
  such city, town or village and to constitute a part of the contingent or
  general fund thereof.