United States Supreme Court Cases & Opinions

U.S. Supreme Court

Arkansas R. Comm'n v. Chicago, R.I. & Pac. R. Co., 274 U.S. 597 (1927)

Arkansas Railroad Commission v.

Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Company

No. 549

Argued April 20, 1927

Decided May 31, 1927

274 U.S. 597

Syllabus

1. Failure to set forth the reasons for issuing a injunction, as required by § 19 of the Act of October 15, 1914, is improper, but does not invalidate the decree. P. 274 U. S. 598.

2. A decree of the district court setting aside an order of a state railroad commission concerning rates should be supported by an opinion stating fully the reasons. P. 274 U. S. 603.

3. An order of the Interstate Commerce Commission requiring that certain intrastate rates should not be lower than corresponding interstate rates thereby established is not authority for further increasing the intrastate rates to meet higher interstate rates prescribed in subsequent proceedings wherein the commission considered the propriety of ordering such increase but refused to do so, the commission having, in effect, construed the earlier order as confined to the rates established in the earlier case. P. 274 U. S. 602.

4. Where there is a serious doubt whether an order of the Interstate Commerce Commission extends to intrastate rates, the doubt should be resolved in favor of the state power. P. 274 U. S. 603.

Reversed.

Appeal from a final decree of the district court enjoining an order of the Arkansas Railroad Commission which suspended an intrastate commodity tariff filed by the Railroad. The suit was by the railroad against the Commission and a state prosecuting attorney.

Page 274 U. S. 598