For each person operating a public utility, such as a street railroad or interurban railroad operated by electricity or other motive power, waterworks, gas company, pipeline company for transporting or carrying gas, oil, gasoline, water or other commodities, gas distributing companies, whether by means of pipeline or by tanks, drums, tubes, cylinders or otherwise, heating companies or other public utility, except electric, hydroelectric, telephone or telegraph companies, railroad or sleeping car companies and express companies which are otherwise licensed, shall pay to the state a license tax equal to two and two-tenths percent on each $1 of gross receipts of such public utility in this state for the preceding year. For the first year’s business, where an existing public utility is taken over, such license tax payable to the state shall be equal to two and two-tenths percent on each $1 of the gross receipts for the preceding year of the public utility taken over, less whatever sum the prior operators have paid as such license tax on the gross receipts for that year. Where no existing public utility is taken over, such license tax for the first year, as well as for the second year, shall be based on the first year’s business, but shall in no event be less than $100 for the first year’s business; provided, that where business is started after April 1 the payment shall be not less than $50. Any person establishing a new public utility shall pay to the state the sum of $100 where operation is begun between October 1 and April 1 and $50 when operation is begun after April 1 and shall also at the same time execute a bond, payable to the State of Alabama, to insure payment of whatever sum, in addition to the $100 or $50, which may be due when, at the end of the first year or if operation began after April 1, the amount of the gross receipts is ascertainable. Such license tax shall be paid to the Department of Revenue by check made payable to the treasurer and shall be paid quarterly, one fourth on October 1, one fourth on January 1, one fourth on April 1 and one fourth on July 1 and shall become delinquent on the fifteenth day of each said month, based upon gross receipts for the preceding year, or half year if operations began after April 1. The payment of such license shall be accompanied by a sworn statement made on forms furnished by the Department of Revenue by the president, manager or operating officer of the public utility, or by the owner, receiver, or trustee thereof, giving the name of the person, firm, or corporation owning and operating said public utility and the principal place of business thereof, showing the gross receipts of such public utility for the preceding year. The books of every person operating a public utility shall be at all times open to the inspection of the Department of Revenue. Any person failing to make such sworn statement or willfully making a false statement of the gross receipts of such public utility shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be fined not exceeding $500 and shall also forfeit to the state three times the amount of the license on said utility, but no license under this schedule shall be paid to the county or counties.