Railroad Commission of Wisconsin

Legislation of 1905 established a Railroad Commission of three members, to be appointed by the Governor (Chap. 362). The Commission succeeded the Railroad Commissioners' Department (WIHV85-A2017) which had been established in 1874. The name of this agency was changed in 1931 to the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (WIHV85-A696).

The Commission was granted extensive powers to investigate complaints against railroad companies, and its scrutiny extended to such matters as scheduling, station maintenance, fairness of rates, and money expended on construction. The Commission's jurisdiction was broadened to include the regulation of public utilities (Laws of 1907, Chap. 499); of auto transportation companies and common carriers (Laws of 1915, Chap. 546); and of stocks, bonds, and securities (the Securities, or "Blue Sky Laws," Laws of 1919, Chap. 674). Legislation of 1927 charged the Commission with collecting the ton-mile tax on motor carriers (Laws of 1927, Chap. 395).

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