Chicago & Northwestern Railway Co. v. Railroad Commission of Wisconsin
Chicago & Northwestern Railway Co. v. Railroad Commission of Wisconsin
Opinion of the Court
The claim of the plaintiff is that under the authority conferred upon the Railroad Commission by sec. 195.22, Stats. 1927, the facts found by the commission do not authorize the exercise of the power conferred upon it. The commission said:
“It is apparent from the testimony in the present proceedings that the traffic on the highway in question has increased to such an extent that the present structure is inadequate because of the poor alignment and surfacing to provide with reasonable convenience for the travel on the highway. . . .
“As the commission views the matter, however, the determination of this case does not depend upon a finding that the changes ordered aré required for public safety. For this reason the commission will not pass upon that phase of that matter in this proceeding.
“The commission finds that the reconstruction of the viaduct here under consideration is necessary to provide for the reasonable convenience of public travel on the highway in question, and that it is the duty of the railway company under the provisions of section 190.22 of the Statutes of 1923 to perform the work hereinafter ordered at its own expense.”
It is elementary that the Railroad Commission, being purely a creation of the statute, has only such powers as are
It is apparent that the real question for determination by the commission has not been passed upon and was by the language of the opinion expressly withheld from consideration. The circuit court was therefore in error in not setting aside the order of the Railroad Commission.
By the Court. — The judgment of the circuit court is reversed, and cause remanded with directions to enter judgment vacating and setting aside the order in question.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Chicago & Northwestern Railway Company v. Railroad Commission of Wisconsin
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- Published