The actual costs and expense of the commission incurred in connection with any such hearing or investigation shall be paid by the applicant upon the commission’s delivering to the applicant a statement thereof. The commission, in its discretion, may require the applicant, before he shall be entitled to a hearing as hereinbefore provided, to give a surety bond or other satisfactory assurance that such applicant will pay all costs of such hearing.

L.1940, c. 17, p. 84, s. 41.