Opinion · Supreme Court of the United States

Board of Railroad Commissioners v. Great Northern Railway Co.

281 U.S. 412

Type
Opinion
Court
Supreme Court of the United States
Jurisdiction
Federal
Date
1930-05-19
Topic
general

Mr. Chief Justice Hughes delivered the opinion of the Court. On May 8, 1929, the Board of Railroad Commissioners of the State of North Dakota made an order prescribing intrastate class rates. The existing rates were reduced about ten per cent and the order was made effective on July 1, 1929. The appellees, common carriers engaged in interstate transportation and also in intrastate transportation in North Dakota, brought this suit on June 25, 1929, in the District Court to enjoin enforcement of the order pending the determination by the Interstate Commerce Commission of the question whether the intrastate rates, as thus prescribed, cause an undue or unreasonable discrimination against interstate commerce in violation of Section 13 of the Interstate Commerce Act.

Citator

UpLaw has not yet analyzed Board of Railroad Commissioners v. Great Northern Railway Co.. The absence of a flag is not a finding that it is good law.

Cited by
78 opinions

Headnotes

  1. Constitutional Law — State Regulation of Intrastate Railroad Rates Railroad rates established by a State for its internal commerce cannot be interfered with by federal courts, upon the ground that they work undue and unreasonable discrimination against interstate commerce, except as may be validly provided by Act of Congress. 281 U.S. at 420
  2. Administrative Law — Primary Jurisdiction of the Interstate Commerce Commission The question whether intrastate railroad rates ordered by state authority work an undue and unreasonable discrimination against interstate commerce is committed by the Interstate Commerce Act to determination, in the first instance, by the Interstate Commerce Commission, not the courts. 281 U.S. at 420
  3. Administrative Law — Need for Preliminary Administrative Determination The grounds for requiring preliminary resort to the Interstate Commerce Commission are especially strong where the effort is to invalidate intrastate rates on the ground of unjust discrimination against interstate commerce, because the inquiry involves intricate technical matters of fact demanding expert administrative discretion, and interferes with state action within its normal field of domestic transportation; Congress did not intend such interference to occur before the fact of discrimination has been established by the administrative authority to which that question was entrusted. 281 U.S. at 421–423
  4. Administrative Law — Duty of Commission Before Superseding State Rates Congress incorporated the Shreveport doctrine into the amended Interstate Commerce Act while intending that the Commission elicit the cooperation of state regulatory bodies and ensure a full examination of the questions of fact they raise before making any finding of unjust discrimination against interstate commerce or entering an order superseding a rate authorized by the State. 281 U.S. at 424–426
  5. Remedies — Suspension of State-Prescribed Intrastate Rates A federal court has no authority to enjoin enforcement of a state order reducing intrastate rates where the sole objection is alleged undue discrimination against interstate commerce — not even temporarily, to await the Commission's determination of that question in a pending proceeding. 281 U.S. at 430
  6. Administrative Law — Scope of Commission's Superseding Authority The Commission's authority to supersede state-prescribed intrastate rates extends only to the removal of a substantial disparity that operates as a real discrimination against, and obstruction to, interstate commerce, and leaves appropriate discretion to state authorities to fix intrastate rates among themselves on the general level the Commission has found fair to interstate commerce. 281 U.S. at 426
  7. Administrative Law — Interim Judicial Relief Under the Interstate Commerce Act A judicial restraint on enforcement of intrastate rates, though limited to the pendency of proceedings before the Commission, is in substance a restraint on the State's power to establish rates for its internal commerce, and where a temporary injunction in aid of such a proceeding would accomplish that result, it is an inappropriate exercise of judicial power. 281 U.S. at 429–430
BOARDv. GREAT NORTHERN RY.,281 U.S. 412(1930)
50 S.Ct. 391
BOARD OF RAILROAD COMMISSIONERS OF NORTH DAKOTA ET AL.v. GREAT NORTHERN
RAILWAY COMPANY ET AL.
APPEAL FROM THE DISTRICT COURT OF THE UNITED STATES FOR THE DISTRICT OF
NORTH DAKOTA.
No. 364.
Argued April 17, 1930.
Decided May 19, 1930.
1. Save as may be validly provided by Act of Congress, railroad rates established by a State for its internal commerce can not be interfered with by the federal courts upon the ground that they work undue and unreasonable discrimination against interstate commerce. Pp. 420et seq. 2. Whether intrastate railroad rates ordered by state authority should be set aside as working undue and unreasonable discrimination against interstate commerce is a question which, by the Interstate Commerce Act, is confided for determination in the first instance to the Interstate Commerce Commission.Id. 3. Where the sole objection to a state order reducing intrastate rates is alleged undue discrimination against interstate commerce, a federal court has no authority to enjoin their enforcement — not even temporarily, to await the Commission's determination of that question in a pending proceeding. P. 430.33 F.2d 934, reversed.
APPEAL from a decree of interlocutory injunction granted by
the District Court of three judges, in a suit brought by a number
of railroads attacking an order of the Railroad Commissioners
fixing intrastate class rates in North Dakota.
Mr. James Morris, Attorney General of North Dakota, with whomMr. John E. Bentonwas on the brief, for appellants.Page 413

The Fourteenth Amendment is self-acting. It requires no legislation to carry it into effect. The Amendment itself provides that "No State shall . . . deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law." A state statute or other law, such as a rate prescribed by state authority, is ineffective if it will operate to cause confiscation; and the courts have jurisdiction to determine that question in a suit brought to enjoin its enforcement.

The commerce clause, however, while it inhibits state action which would place a direct burden upon interstate commerce, as respects the internal commerce of the State has no other effect than to empower the Congress to legislate, in so far as may be necessary for the effective regulation of interstate and foreign commerce. Under this clause the federal courts have no jurisdiction, as respects intrastate rates, except for the enforcement of some Act of Congress. Such rates, lawfully prescribed, may be affected only in the manner and to the extent that Congress by legislation, for the proper protection of interstate commerce, has provided.

The pendency before the Interstate Commerce Commission of a proceeding under § 13 of the Interstate Commerce Act involving the order of the Board of Railroad Commissioners of May 8, 1929, is not ground for injunction, and does not confer jurisdiction to grant an interlocutory injunction.

It is a well settled rule, adopted for the preservation of uniformity, which it was the purpose of the Interstate Commerce Act to secure, that the courts may not exert authority over subjects which primarily come within the jurisdiction of the Commission in advance of its action.Great Northern Ry. v.Merchants Elevator Co.,259 U.S. 285;Texas Pac. Ry. Co. v.American Tie Timber Co.,234 U.S. 138;Texas Pac. Ry. Co. v.Abilene Cotton Oil Co.,204 U.S. 426;Morrisdale Coal Co. v.PennsylvaniaPage 414R. Co.,230 U.S. 303;Mitchell Coal C. Co. v.PennsylvaniaR. Co.,230 U.S. 247;Baltimore O.R. Co. v.United States,215 U.S. 481;Director Generalv.Viscose Co.,254 U.S. 398;Northern Pac. R. Co. v.Solum,247 U.S. 477.

The discretion of the Board of Railroad Commissioners in fixing intrastate rates should not be interfered with by the courts in the absence of a finding by the Interstate Commerce Commission to the effect that such intrastate rates cast a discriminatory burden upon interstate commerce or discriminate against persons or places engaged in interstate commerce.

The plaintiffs had at the time of the commencement of this action, a plain, adequate and complete remedy at law in the courts of North Dakota.State ex rel. Hughesv.Milhollan,50 N.D. 184.Mr. R.J. Hagman, with whomMessrs. D.F. LyonsandF.G.Doretywere on the brief, for appellees.

A federal court of equity has power to prevent irreparable loss and damage, or a threatened violation of law, by enjoining intrastate rates until the Interstate Commerce Commission can determine in a pending proceeding whether such rates unjustly discriminate against interstate commerce.

A State is prohibited from unjustly discriminating against interstate commerce.The Shreveport Case,234 U.S. 342;Railroad Comm'nv.Chicago, B. Q.R. Co.,257 U.S. 563.

The Commission has sole jurisdiction to determine the question of unjust discrimination against interstate commerce.TexasPac. R. Co. v.Abilene Cotton Oil Co.,204 U.S. 426;HoustonT.R. Co. v.United States,234 U.S. 342.

Unjust discrimination against interstate commerce by States is forbidden before as well as after the CommissionPage 415determines the existence of such discrimination. Paragraph (4) of § 13 of the Interstate Commerce Act is an unconditional condemnation of unjust discrimination against interstate commerce by States. Section 13 forbade and declared unlawful such unjust discrimination at all times.

Unjust discriminations in freight rates were prohibited by the common law. SeeInterstate Commerce Comm'nv.B. O.R. Co.,145 U.S. 263;Sullivanv.M. R.R. Ry. Co.,121 Minn. 488;Homestead Co. v.Des Moines Elec. Co., 248 F. 439.

The courts will enforce the prohibition against unjust discrimination against interstate commerce by intrastate rates imposed by a State, since the Interstate Commerce Act saves common law remedies. § 22, par. 1;Pennsylvania R. Co. v.Sonman Coal Co.,242 U.S. 120. And the power to prevent irreparable damage or to enjoin a proposed unlawful act is inherent in a federal court of equity. Jud. Code, § 24, par. 8;Northern Pac. R. Co. v.Pacific Lumber Mfrs. Ass'n, 165 F. 1.

In analogous cases courts of equity have prevented irreparable damage or a threatened violation of law by holding mattersinstatu quountil another tribunal having jurisdiction of a controversy can determine it.Western Unionv.LouisvilleN.R. Co., 201 F. 946;Zimmermanv.McCurdy,15 N.D. 79;Elliottv.Rich,24 N.M. 52;Union Pac. R. Co. v.LumberMfrs. Ass'n, 165 F. 13;Great Northern R. Co. v.KalispellLumber Co., 165 F. 25;Tiftv.Southern Ry., 123 F. 789;Kiser Co. v.Central of Georgia, 158 F. 193.Tiftcase,206 U.S. 428, at p. 437.Atlantic Coast Linev.Macon Grocery Co., 166 F. 206 iscontraon the present question.

The Commission has passed on § 13 petitions while intrastate rates were enjoined.Fertilizer between Southern Points, 113 I.C.C. 389.Page 416Messrs. Henry N. Benson, Attorney General of Minnesota,Charles E. PhillipsandJohn F. Bonner, Assistant Attorneys General, by special leave of Court, filed a brief asamicicuriae, on behalf of the Railroad and Warehouse Commission of Minnesota.Mr. John E. Benton, by special leave of Court, filed a brief asamicus curiae, on behalf of the Public Service Commission of Alabama et al.
MR. CHIEF JUSTICE HUGHES delivered the opinion of the Court.
On May 8, 1929, the Board of Railroad Commissioners of the State of North Dakota made an order prescribing intrastate class rates. The existing rates were reduced about ten per cent and the order was made effective on July 1, 1929. The appellees, common carriers engaged in interstate transportation and also in intrastate transportation in North Dakota, brought this suit on June 25, 1929, in the District Court to enjoin enforcement of the order pending the determination by the Interstate Commerce Commission of the question whether the intrastate rates, as thus prescribed, cause an undue or unreasonable discrimination against interstate commerce in violation of Section 13 of the Interstate Commerce Act. The District Court, composed of three Judges, as required by statute, granted an interlocutory injunction to this effect (33 F.2d 934) and the Railroad Commission of the State and the other State officials, who were defendants, have brought this appeal.

On August 26, 1920, the Interstate Commerce Commission, in a proceeding known asEx parte 74, authorized a general advance in interstate freight rates throughout the United States.Increased Rates, 1920, 58 I.C.C. 220. The appellees then applied to the Board of Railroad Commissioners of North Dakota for authority to makePage 417increases in the North Dakota intrastate class rates to correspond with the increases which had been made in the interstate class rates. The State Commission denied the application. Thereupon, in a proceeding (Docket No. 12,085) under Section 13 of the Interstate Commerce Act the Interstate Commerce Commission made a finding that the interstate rates established by the carriers, as a result of the decision inEx parte 74, were reasonable for interstate transportation and that the failure correspondingly to increase the intrastate rates within the State of North Dakota resulted in an undue preference to the shippers of intrastate traffic within that State and in an unjust discrimination against interstate commerce. On May 3, 1921, the Interstate Commerce Commission entered an order requiring these carriers to increase the intrastate freight rates in North Dakota so as to correspond with the advances in interstate rates.NorthDakota Rates, Fares, and Charges, 61 I.C.C. 504. These increases were made, effective May 27, 1921.

On June 5, 1922, the Board of Railroad Commissioners of North Dakota made an order reciting that the order of the Interstate Commerce Commission of May 3, 1921, practically deprived the State Commission of its power to regulate intrastate rates and that appropriate action should be taken to terminate the disability. Upon application by the State Commission, the Interstate Commerce Commission (July 22, 1922) vacated its order of May 3, 1921, in so far as it related to intrastate rates in North Dakota, stating that "the existing increased intrastate rates and charges for freight services in said State will continue in force and effect until revoked, modified or superseded by appropriate lawful proceedings before said Board" (the State Commission) "or as otherwise provided by law." The State Commission was thus left free to exercise its lawful authority over intrastate rates.Page 418

The Congress, by Joint Resolution of January 30, 1925 (43 Stat. 801), directed the Interstate Commerce Commission to make an investigation of the rate structure of common carriers in order to determine to what extent and in what manner existing rates and charges might be unreasonable or unjustly discriminatory, and to make such changes, adjustments and redistribution of rates and charges as might be found to be necessary. The Commission was required to make from time to time such decisions as it might deem appropriate to establish a just and reasonable relation between rates upon designated classes of traffic.1Pursuant to this direction, the InterstatePage 419Commerce Commission on March 12, 1925, instituted the proceeding known as Docket No. 17000, "Rate Structure Investigation," and all common carriers subject to the Interstate Commerce Act were made respondents. Notice was sent to the Governor of each State and to the state regulatory commissions. The Interstate Commerce Commission thus undertook the investigation of the rate structure in the entire western district, including class rates in the region embracing the State of North Dakota. The Board of Railroad Commissioners of that State, with other state railroad commissions, have been cooperating in this investigation and the proceeding is still pending.

On May 29, 1925, the Board of Railroad Commissioners of North Dakota on its own motion began an investigation for the purpose of determining to what extent, if any, the North Dakota intrastate rates were unreasonable or unjustly discriminatory. In September, 1927, the State Commission directed that the record should be held open for further hearing after the Interstate Commerce Commission rendered a decision in its Docket No. 17000. A few months later, the State Commission resumed its general investigation and a hearing was held in relation to class rates and certain other rates. This resulted in the order of May 8, 1929, now in question, reducing the existing intrastate class rates.

The appellees then filed a petition with the Interstate Commerce Commission alleging that the scale of class rates required by the State Commission would unjustly discriminate against persons and localities in interstate commerce, and would constitute an unreasonable burden on interstate commerce, in violation of Section 13 of the Interstate Commerce Act, and asked the Interstate Commerce Commission to institute a proceeding to determine whether such unjust discrimination would result and toPage 420prohibit it by prescribing the class rates to be charged by the carriers for intrastate transportation in North Dakota. Thereupon, this suit was brought. The interlocutory injunction, granted below, restrained the State Commission and other state officials from putting into effect the intrastate class rates prescribed by the order of May 8, 1929, until the Interstate Commerce Commission, either in its Docket No. 17000, or in the proceeding under Section 13 of the Interstate Commerce Act which the plaintiffs (appellees) had petitioned the Interstate Commerce Commission to institute, determined the question of unjust discrimination with respect to interstate commerce, and until the further order of the Court.

It should be observed at the outset that there is no contention on the part of the carriers that the intrastate rates fixed by the State Commission are confiscatory. There is no challenge of the authority of the State Commission under the constitution and laws of the State to prescribe these rates for intrastate traffic, or of the validity or regularity of the proceedings which resulted in the order of the State Commission, aside from the alleged effect upon interstate commerce.

The question of the control of the State, as against an objection of this sort, over rates for transportation exclusively intrastate was considered in theMinnesota Rate Cases. (230 U.S. 352.) The State of Minnesota had established rates for intrastate transportation throughout the State, and the complaining carriers insisted that by reason of the passage of the Interstate Commerce Act the State could no longer exercise the untrammeled statewide authority that it had formerly enjoyed in prescribing reasonable intrastate rates, and that the scheme of rates which Minnesota had prescribed, even if found to be otherwise not subject to attack, was void because of their injurious effect upon interstate commerce. There had been no finding by the Interstate Commerce CommissionPage 421of unjust discrimination against interstate commerce by reason of the intrastate rates and, reserving the question of the validity and consequence of such a finding if one were made by the Interstate Commerce Commission, the Court decided that there was no ground for invalidating the action of the State. Dealing with the interblending of operations in the conduct of interstate and local business by interstate carriers, the Court said that these considerations were for the practical judgment of Congress, and that if adequate regulation of interstate rates could not be maintained without imposing requirements as to such intrastate rates as substantially affected the former, it was for Congress, within the limits of its constitutional authority over interstate commerce, to determine the measure of the regulation it should apply. It was not the function of the Court to provide a more comprehensive scheme of regulation than Congress had decided upon, nor, in the absence of Federal action, to deny effect to the laws of the State enacted within the field which it was entitled to occupy until its authority was limited through the exertion by Congress of its paramount constitutional power. On the assumption that Section 3 of the Interstate Commerce Act should be construed as applicable to unreasonable discriminations between localities in different States, as well when arising from an intrastate rate as compared with an interstate rate as when due to interstate rates exclusively, the Court was of the opinion that the controlling principle governing the enforcement of the act should be applied to such cases and that the question of the existence of such a discrimination would be primarily for the investigation and determination of the Interstate Commerce Commission and not for the courts. (Id. p. 419.)

The controlling principle, thus invoked, was derived from a consideration of the nature of the question and of the inquiry and action required for its solution. ThePage 422inquiry would necessarily relate to technical and intricate matters of fact, and the solution of the question would demand the exercise of sound administrative discretion. The accomplishment of the purpose of Congress could not be had without the comprehensive study of an expert body continuously employed in administrative supervision. Only through the action of such a body could there be secured the uniformity of ruling upon which appropriate protection from unreasonable exactions and unjust discriminations must depend. (Id. pp. 419, 420. SeeGreat Northern Railway Companyv.Merchants Elevator Company,259 U.S. 285,291.)

The application of this principle had frequent illustration before the question arose as to unjust discriminations against interstate commerce through the fixing of intrastate rates. InTexas Pacific Railway Companyv.Abilene Cotton Oil Company(204 U.S. 426), the Court decided that a shipper could not maintain an action because of the exaction of an alleged unreasonable rate on interstate shipments, when the rate had been duly filed and published by the carrier and had not been found to be unreasonable by the Interstate Commerce Commission. The Court found an indissoluble unity between the provision for the maintenance of rates as established in accordance with the statute and the prohibitions against preferences and discriminations, and declared that to maintain the just relation which the statute was intended to conserve it was essential that there should be uniformity of decision and that redress should be sought primarily through the administrative powers entrusted to the Interstate Commerce Commission. InBaltimore Ohio RailroadCompanyv.United States ex rel. Pitcairn Coal Company(215 U.S. 481), complaint was made by the coal company of the method of distribution of coal cars, which was said to amount to an unjust discrimination. The Court considered the controversy to be controlledPage 423by the decision in theAbilenecase,supra, and that the grievances of which complaint was made were primarily within the administrative competency of the Interstate Commerce Commission. The Court said that the amendments of 1906 of the Interstate Commerce Act rendered, if possible, more imperative the construction which had been given to the act in this respect. After adverting to the case ofInterstate Commerce Commissionv.Illinois Central Railroad Company(215 U.S. 452), the Court again pointed out "the destructive effect upon the system of regulation adopted by the Act to Regulate Commerce," if it were construed as "giving authority to the courts, without the preliminary action of the commission, to consider and pass upon the administrative questions which the statute has primarily confided to that body." (215 U.S. p. 496.) The question was again considered inRobinsonv.Baltimore Ohio Railroad Company(222 U.S. 506), where the Court held that no action for reparation for discriminatory exactions for freight payments could be maintained in any Court, Federal or state, in the absence of an appropriate finding and order of the Interstate Commerce Commission. Referring to theAbilenecase,supra, the Court said, "It is true that . . . in that case the complaint against the established rate was that it was unreasonable, while here the complaint is that the rate was unjustly discriminatory. But the distinction is not material." (Id. p. 511.)2Page 424

The grounds for invoking this principle of preliminary resort to the Interstate Commerce Commission are even stronger when the effort is made to invalidate intrastate rates upon the ground of unjust discrimination against interstate commerce. Not only are the questions as to the effect of intrastate rates upon interstate rates quite as intricate as those relating to discrimination in interstate rates, not only is there at least an equal need for the comprehensive, expert and continuous study of the Interstate Commerce Commission, and for the uniformity obtainable only through its action, but in addition there is involved a prospective interference with State action within its normal field, in relation to the domestic concern of transportation exclusively intrastate. The Court found no warrant for the contention that Congress in enacting the Interstate Commerce Act intended that there should be such an interference before the fact of unjust discrimination had been established by competent inquiry on the part of the administrative authority to which Congress had entrusted the solution of that class of questions.

What was lacking in theMinnesota Rate Cases, supra, had been supplied in theShreveport Case(234 U.S. 342).3There, the Interstate Commerce Commission had found that there was an unjust discrimination arising out of the relation of intrastate rates, maintained under State authority, to interstate rates which had been upheld as reasonable. The Court decided that Congress in exercising its constitutional authority could correct the evil of this discrimination against interstate commerce and that in so doing Congress was entitled to secure the maintenance of its own standard of interstate rates. Having this power, Congress could provide for its exercise through the aid of a subordinate body. The removal of the discriminationPage 425was within the authority granted to the Interstate Commerce Commission and the decision rested upon the ground that this authority had been exercised. (Id. pp. 357, 358. See, alsoAmerican Express Companyv.Caldwell,244 U.S. 617,625;Illinois Central Railroad Companyv.State Public UtilitiesCommission,245 U.S. 493,506;Arkansas Railroad Commissionv.Chicago R.I. P.R.R. Co.,274 U.S. 597,599.)

In the Transportation Act, 1920 (41 Stat. 484) Congress enacted express provisions with respect to intrastate rates, regulations and practices. (Id. Sec. 416.) Amending Section 13 of the Act to Regulate Commerce, Congress authorized the Interstate Commerce Commission to confer with state regulatory bodies with respect to "the relationship between rate structures and practices of carriers subject to the jurisdiction of such State bodies and of the Commission," and to hold joint hearings. It was provided that whenever in any such investigation, after full hearing, the Commission finds that any rate, regulation or practice "causes any undue or unreasonable advantage, preference, or prejudice as between persons or localities in intrastate commerce on the one hand and interstate or foreign commerce on the other hand, or any undue, unreasonable, or unjust discrimination against interstate or foreign commerce, which is hereby forbidden and declared to be unlawful," the Commission shall prescribe the rate, regulation or practice "thereafter to be observed, in such manner as, in its judgment, will remove" the discrimination. The order of the Commission is to bind the carriers, parties to the proceeding, "the law of any State or the decision or order of any State authority to the contrary notwithstanding."4Page 426

There can be no doubt that Congress thus intended to recognize and incorporate in legislative enactment the principle of theShreveport Case, supra.5We find noPage 427basis for the conclusion that it was the purpose of Congress to interdict a state rate, otherwise lawfully established for transportation exclusively intrastate, before appropriate action by the Interstate Commerce Commission. On the contrary, Congress sought to provide a more satisfactory administrative procedure which wouldPage 428elicit the cooperation of the State regulatory bodies, and insure a full examination of all the questions of fact which such bodies might raise, before any finding was made in such a case as to unjust discrimination against interstate commerce or any order was entered superseding the rate authorized by the State. In sustaining the authority of the Commission under Section 13 as thus amended, the Court said inRailroad Commission ofWisconsinv.Chicago, Burlington Quincy Railroad Company(257 U.S. 563,590,591): "It is said that our conclusion gives the Commission unified control of interstate and intrastate commerce. It is only unified to the extent of maintaining efficient regulation of interstate commerce under the paramount power of Congress. It does not involve general regulation of intrastate commerce. Action of the Interstate Commerce commission in this regard should be directed to substantial disparity which operates as a real discrimination against, and obstruction to, interstate commerce, and must leave appropriate discretion to thePage 429state authorities to deal with intrastate rates as between themselves on the general level which the Interstate Commerce Commission has found to be fair to interstate commerce." SeeArkansas Railroad Commissionv.Chicago, R.I. P.R.R. Co.,supra.

When, before the amendments of 1910 of the Interstate Commerce Act, the question arose as to the propriety of judicial action in granting injunctions against the maintenance of interstate rates, filed and published by carriers as provided by law, pending the decision of the Interstate Commerce Commission whether such rates were unreasonable or unjustly discriminatory, there was a conflict of opinion in the lower Federal courts, but the weight of decision was that such relief, although temporary in character, could not be granted prior to an appropriate finding by the Interstate Commerce Commission, and this ruling accorded with the principle declared by this Court in theAbileneand other cases,supra.6Congress, in 1910, authorized the Interstate Commerce Commission, on the filing of rates by interstate carriers with the Commission, to suspend the operation of the rates for a stated period, and this provision has been continued in later legislation. Interstate Commerce Act, Sec. 15(7);36 Stat. 552;41 Stat. 486, 487. This power of suspension was entrusted to the Commission only. TherePage 430is no similar provision for the suspension of intrastate rates established by state authority.

It is said that the interlocutory injunction, granted below, was in aid of the proceedings pending before the Interstate Commerce Commission. But the injunction necessarily has the effect of preventing the State from enforcing the rates it has prescribed, which are lawful rates until the Interstate Commerce Commission finds that they cause an unjust discrimination against interstate commerce. A judicial restraint of the enforcement of intrastate rates, although limited to the pendency of proceedings before the Interstate Commerce Commission, is none the less essentially a restraint upon the power of the State to establish rates for its internal commerce, a power the exercise of which in prescribing rates otherwise valid is not subject to interference upon the sole ground of injury to interstate commerce, save as Congress has validly provided. Congress has so provided only in the event that, after full hearing in which the State authorities may participate, the Interstate Commerce Commission finds that unjust discrimination is created. Congress forbids the unjust discrimination through the fixing of intrastate rates but entrusts the appropriate enforcement of its prohibition primarily to its administrative agency.

It is urged that the restraining power of the Court is needed to prevent irreparable injury. But, in this class of cases, the questions whether there is injury, and what the measures shall be to prevent it, is committed for its solution preliminarily to the Interstate Commerce Commission.

For these reasons, the order of the District Court is reversed and the cause remanded with direction to dismiss the bill of complaint.It is so ordered.Page 431
  1. Page 418 The provision relating to the investigation is as follows:

    "That the Interstate Commerce Commission is authorized and directed to make a thorough investigation of the rate structure of common carriers subject to the interstate commerce act, in order to determine to what extent and in what manner existing rates and charges may be unjust, unreasonable, unjustly discriminatory, or unduly preferential, thereby imposing undue burdens, or giving undue advantage as between the various localities and parts of the country, the various classes of traffic, and the various classes and kinds of commodities, and to make, in accordance with law, such changes, adjustments, and redistribution of rates and charges as may be found necessary to correct any defects so found to exist. In making any such change, adjustment, or redistribution the commission shall give due regard, among other factors, to the general and comparative levels in market value of the various classes and kinds of commodities as indicated over a reasonable period of years, to a natural and proper development of the country as a whole, and to the maintenance of an adequate system of transportation. In the progress of such investigation the commission shall, from time to time, and as expeditiously as possible, make such decisions and orders as it may find to be necessary or appropriate upon the record then made in order to place the rates upon designated classes of traffic upon a just and reasonable basis with relation to other rates. Such investigation shall be conducted with due regard to other investigations or proceedings affecting rate adjustments which may be pending before the commission."43 Stat. 801. ↩
  2. Page 423 See, also,United Statesv.Pacific Arctic Co.,228 U.S. 87,107,108;Mitchell Coal Co. v.Pennsylvania R.R. Co.,230 U.S. 247,259;Texas Pacific Railway Co. v.American TieLumber Co.,234 U.S. 138,147;Pennsylvania R.R. Co. v.Puritan Coal Co.,237 U.S. 121,131;Pennsylvania R.R. Co. v.Clark Coal Co.,238 U.S. 456,469;Northern Pacific RailwayCo. v.Solum,247 U.S. 477,483;Director General ofRailroadsv.Viscose Company,254 U.S. 498,504;GreatNorthern Railway Co. v.Merchants Elevator Company,259 U.S. 285,291,295;Terminal R.R. Ass'nv.United States,266 U.S. 17,31;Western Atlantic Railroadv.Georgia Public ServiceCommission,267 U.S. 493,497. ↩
  3. Page 424Houston, East and West Texas Railway Companyv.UnitedStates,234 U.S. 342. ↩
  4. Page 425 The text of the provisions thus added to Section 13 is as follows:

    "Sec. 13. . . .

    "(3) Whenever in any investigation under the provisions of this Act, or in any investigation instituted upon petition of the carrier Page 426 concerned, which petition is hereby authorized to be filed, there shall be brought in issue any rate, fare, charge, classification, regulation, or practice, made or imposed by authority of any State, or initiated by the President during the period of Federal control, the Commission, before proceeding to hear and dispose of such issue, shall cause the State or States interested to be notified of the proceeding. The Commission may confer with the authorities of any State having regulatory jurisdiction over the class of persons and corporations subject to this Act with respect to the relationship between rate structures and practices of carriers subject to the jurisdiction of such State bodies and of the Commission; and to that end is authorized and empowered, under rules to be prescribed by it, and which may be modified from time to time, to hold joint hearings with any such State regulating bodies on any matters wherein the Commission is empowered to act and where the rate-making authority of a State is or may be affected by the action taken by the Commission. The Commission is also authorized to avail itself of the cooperation, services, records, and facilities of such State authorities in the enforcement of any provision of this Act.

    "(4) Whenever in any such investigation the Commission, after full hearing, finds that any such rate, fare, charge, classification, regulation, or practice causes any undue or unreasonable advantage, preference, or prejudice as between persons or localities in intrastate commerce on the one hand and interstate or foreign commerce on the other hand, or any undue, unreasonable, or unjust discrimination against interstate or foreign commerce, which is hereby forbidden and declared to be unlawful, it shall prescribe the rate, fare, or charge, or the maximum or minimum, or maximum and minimum, thereafter to be charged, and the classification, regulation, or practice thereafter to be observed, in such manner as, in its judgment, will remove such advantage, preference, prejudice, or discrimination. Such rates, fares, charges, classifications, regulations, and practices shall be observed while in effect by the carriers parties to such proceeding affected thereby, the law of any State or the decision or order of any State authority to the contrary notwithstanding." ↩
  5. Page 426 In presenting these amendments to the Committee of the Whole House, Mr. Esch, Chairman of the Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce of the House of Representatives, said: Page 427 "We also provide for the enactment into law of what is popularly known as the decisions of the Supreme Court in the Shreveport case. Where intrastate rates constitute an undue burden, advantage, preference or prejudice against interstate rates, such rates are declared to be unlawful. We have incorporated into law the decision of the court. When by reason of the low level of the intrastate rates an undue burden is cast upon the interstate traffic the citizens and the shippers of other States are compelled to pay higher interstate freight rates than they would have had to pay had that State enacted or put into force and effect proper intrastate rates. We give this power of determination to the Interstate Commerce Commission, but in order that the State commissions may have a proper hearing we provide that the State commissions may, to use a phrase of the street, `sit in' with the Interstate Commerce Commission. It can sit with the Interstate Commerce Commission; it can hear the testimony, and can present its full case, through its legally constituted authority. It can present the full case, but the final adjudication is to rest with the Interstate Commerce Commission and not with the State regulatory body. We believe that this getting together of the interstate and State regulatory bodies will lessen the number of Shreveport cases, better the feeling between the interstate and the State commissions, and promote the commercial interests of the country." Cong. Rec., 66th Cong., 1st Sess., Vol. 58, pt. 8, p. 8317.

    Senator Cummins, Chairman of the Committee on Interstate Commerce of the Senate, made the following statement to the Committee of the Whole of the Senate:

    "I need not follow that case" (the Shreveport case) "in all its phases; but it finally reached the Supreme Court of the United States, and the Supreme Court held that the authority of the Federal Government as it could be vested in the Interstate Commerce Commission extended to the removal of a discrimination between the interstate rates and the intrastate rates, but no authority had been given by Congress to the commission to declare what the intrastate rate should be in comparison with the interstate rate. . . . Page 428 "The committee has attempted simply to express the decisions of the Supreme Court of the United States. We have not attempted to carry the authority of Congress beyond the exact point ruled by the Supreme Court in the cases to which I have referred; and the only thing we have done in the matter has been to confer upon the Interstate Commerce Commission the authority to remove the discrimination when established in a proper proceeding before that body — an authority which it does not now have. . . .

    "The Supreme Court held that Congress had not conferred upon the Interstate Commerce Commission the right to prescribe a rate in the stead of one which had been condemned; but so far as the condemnation of the rates is concerned, the power of the Interstate Commerce Commission is already ample, and it has succeeded in one way or another in removing the discriminations which have come under its notice without the statute which we now propose." Cong. Rec., 66th Cong., 2d Sess., Vol. 59, pt. 1, pp. 142, 143. ↩
  6. Page 429 SeeAtlantic Coast Line R.R. Co. v.Macon Grocery Co., 166 F. 206;Columbus Iron Steel Companyv.Kanawha M. Ry.Co., 178 F. 261;Wickwire Steel Companyv.New York CentralR.R. Co., 181 F. 316. CompareJewett Bros. v.Chicago, M.St. P. Ry. Co., 156 F. 160;Kiser Companyv.Central ofGeorgia R.R. Co., 158 F. 193; 236 F. 573;Northern PacificR.R. Co. v.Pacific Coast Lumber Mfrs. Assn., 165 F. 1;Great Northern Ry. Co. v.Kalispell Lumber Co., 165 F. 25. ↩