Accidents; report; investigation, expense.

Every common carrier shall, whenever an accident occurs within this state upon its line or road or on its depot grounds or yards, give such notice thereof and make such report thereof to the commission as the regulations of the commission shall require. In the event of any accident the commission, if it deem the public interests require it, shall cause an investigation to be made forthwith, which investigation shall be held within the locality of the accident, unless for greater convenience of those concerned it shall order the investigation to be held at some other place, and said investigation may be adjourned from place to place, as may be found necessary and convenient. The commission shall seasonably notify an officer of the company of the time and place of the investigation. The cost of such investigation shall be certified by the chairman of the commission, and the same shall be audited and paid by the state in the same manner as other expenses are audited and paid, and record or file of said proceedings and evidence shall be kept by said commission.