Page:The Wisconsin idea (IA cu31924032449252).pdf/82

 increase the number of cases settled amicably out of court by arbitration or by other peaceful adjustment. If the strong did not see so many loopholes in justice to-day, so many chances to wear out the weak by lengthy litigation, so-many opportunities for appeals, reversals and all the long list of legal barriers built up against the "Man who has not," there would not be so many cases of this kind in court, the calendars would not be crowded—and incidentally, there would be more confidence in justice and the servants of the law, and perhaps less anarchy.

The public utility act was the second important law based upon the principles established in the railroad commission act.

It was a general law, chapter 499, laws of 1907, regulating heat, light and water works and telephone companies. The street railway law, chapter 578 of the laws of 1907, provided for indeterminate permits, while street railways and telegraph companies were placed under the supervision of the railroad commission by chapter 582, laws of 1907.

The public utilities are now completely governed in Wisconsin by the railroad commission, an appointive board of three with practically unlimited power to hire