River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1909-07-15

CHAPTER 475. LAWS OF 1909.
AN ACT to amend sections 1797-58 and
1797-57 of the statutes, relating to
the construction and operation of rail-
roads,
The people OF the State of Wisconsin, rep
resented In Senate and Assembly, do en-
Section /. Section 1Te7-5e Of the stat
utes is amended to read: Section 1797-
&C. Every crossing OF the track Of a
steam railroad hereafter made by the track
Of another steam railroad; and every
crossing of the track of an electric or
street railway surface road hereafter made
by the tracks of steam railroad
and every crossing of the track of a steam
railroad or Of any other electric OF street
railway surface road hereafter made
by the track Of an electric or street rail-
way surface road shall be above, below,
or at grade or the tracks proposed to be
crossed as the railroad commission shall
determine after hearing the parties upon
reasonable notice prescribed by said CON-
mission. In such determination, said rail-
road commission shall fix the
proportion of the expense Of originally con-
structing, operating. and maintaining such
crossing, which shall be- paid
by the owners of said tracks respectively.
. Section 2. Section 179T-57 of the
statutes is amended TO read: Section 1897
81. Upon the completion OF the con-
structlon Of any railroad or extension or
branch thereof under the specification as
approved BY the railroad commission, the
said applicant company shall, before OPP
Grating said railroad, or extension or
branch thereof, excepting for construction
purposes, and before opening the same to
the public service, report the same to said
thereupon inspect and examine said rail
road, or extension or branch thereof, or
cause the same to be inspected and exam
ined, and If 1t shall be found that the
same has been constructed In accordance
with said specification as approved and is
otherwise suitable and properly constructed
SO as TO conserve and protect the public
safety in the operation thereof, said COM
mission shall grant to said applicant rail-
road an order authorizing it to operate the
same, which order shall be presumptive
evidence Of the suf1ciency of such con-
etruction. Said order shall specify in gen.
eral terms the methods and conditions of
such operation and it shall not be lawful
for any such railroad or extension or
branch hereof, to be operated till such
order has been 80 granted ap| obtained.
II upon such inspection and examination
the commission shall deem that public
safety requires the installation, operation,
and maintenance Of some suitable protec-
tive appliance at any grade crossing Of
the track or tracks of another steam rail-
road or OF any other electric or street
railway surface road by the track or tracks
of said railroad or extension or branch
thereof, the commission may, before grant
ing said order, after notice and hearing
as provided In section 1797-12 order the
installation, operation, and maintenance
of such suitable protective appliance and
oy whom to be installed, operated. and
maintained, and shall tx the proportion
Of the expense Of constructing, maintaining,
and operating such protective appliance
which shall be paid by the owners of said
tracks respectively.
Section 8. This act shall take effect and
be In force from and after Its passage and
publication.
Approved juno 10. 1909.