United States Supreme Court Cases & Opinions

U.S. Supreme Court

FRC v. General Electric Co., 281 U.S. 464 (1930)

Federal Radio Commission v. General Electric Co.

No. 122

Argued January 17, 20, 1930

Decided May 19, 1930

281 U.S. 464

Syllabus

1. This Court is a constitutional, as distinguished from a legislative, Court, and can have no jurisdiction other than of cases and controversies falling within the classes enumerated in the judiciary article of the Constitution; it cannot give decisions which are merely advisory, nor can it exercise or participate in the exercise of functions which are essentially legislative or administrative. P. 281 U. S. 469.

2. A proceeding in the Court of Appeals of the District of Columbia under the Radio Act of 1927, to review an order of the Radio Commission refusing an application for the renewal of an existing license for full time operation of a broadcasting station, is not a case or controversy within the meaning of the judiciary article of the Constitution, but is an administrative proceeding, and the decision therein is not reviewable by this Court. Pp. 281 U. S. 466, 281 U. S. 470.

3. The action of the court of appeals in assessing costs against the Commission did not alter the nature of the proceeding. P. 281 U. S. 470.

Certiorari to 31 F.2d 630, dismissed.

Page 281 U. S. 465

Certiorari, 280 U.S. 537, to review a decision of the Court of Appeals of the District of Columbia, which reversed an order of the Radio Commission refusing an application to renew an existing license for full time operation of a broadcasting station.