Page:The Wisconsin idea (IA cu31924032449252).pdf/65

 The act covers complete regulation, both as to rates and service, not only of railroads but of all correlated organizations, such as refrigerator lines, sleeping cars, transportation and despatch companies of all kinds, as well as equipment, regulation of passes, mileage books, sidings, switching and terminals; in short, the whole railroad business. The simplicity of its procedure is worthy of note. Senator W. H. Hatton said before a committee at the time of its formulation, "I want this procedure so simple that a man can write his complaint on the back of a postal card, and if it is a just one, the state will take it up for him."

After all, for what purpose was the whole thing constructed but that there might be plain justice? Reversals, demurrers, rules, appeals, errors—the whole troop which had clouded the reason of judges and added to the squabbles and fees of lawyers—were excluded:—

Said Senator Hatton: "At a hearing before the commission both the complainant and the corporation shall be given full opportunity to offer testimony of every kind relating to the matter at issue.

"After any such hearing, if the commission shall find the rate complained of to be unreasonable, immediate relief shall be given and the commission shall fix a reasonable rate to be substituted for the rate found to be unreasonable. The new rate must be submitted to and observed until passed on by the courts and thereafter unless it shall be declared by the court to be unlawful, as