Milwaukee Electric Railway & Light Co. v. City of Milwaukee

The question for determination is whether the plaintiff or the defendant city should bear the expense of the removal and relocation of the plaintiff’s electric conduits made necessary by the construction of a new water main in the intersection mentioned. In order that this controversy may be understood we deem it necessary to recite fully the facts.

On October 7, 1889, the common council of the city of Milwaukee passed an ordinance which purported to grant to Edison Electric Illuminating Company the right and authority “to construct and maintain in the streets, alleys, tunnels and public…