United States Supreme Court Cases & Opinions

U.S. Supreme Court

St. Louis Southwestern Ry. Co. v. United States, 262 U.S. 70 (1923)

St. Louis Southwestern Railway Company v. United States

No. 184

Argued March 6, 7, 1923

Decided April 23, 1923

262 U.S. 70

Syllabus

1. Under the Act of March 4, 1913, c. 143, 37 Stat. 797, authorizing the Postmaster General to pay additional compensation, not exceeding five percent, for transportation of mail on railroads on and after July 1, 1913, for the remainder of the contract terms,

Page 262 U. S. 71

on account of increased weight of mails resulting from the parcel post law, the decision of the Postmaster General upon the mount of compensation to be allowed within the limit fixed was conclusive, and a railroad company, which accepted payment, under protest, of amounts so fixed cannot claim more from the government upon the ground that they were inadequate. P. 262 U. S. 73.

2. Transportation of additional mail matter, resulting from the parcel post, even if not requirable under contracts existing when the parcel post system was adopted, did not give the transporting company a right to additional compensation when it was done voluntarily during a period (January 1, 1913, to June 30, 1913) for which Congress has failed to allow such compensation. Act of March 4, 1913, supra. P. 262 U. S. 73.

56 Ct.Clms. 64 affirmed.

Appeal from a judgment of the Court of Claims dismissing the petition upon demurrer.