United States Supreme Court Cases & Opinions

U.S. Supreme Court

Crescent Express Lines, Inc. v. United States, 320 U.S. 401 (1943)

Crescent Express Lines, Inc. v. United States

No. 65

Argued November 19, 1943

Decided December 6, 1943

320 U.S. 401

Syllabus

1. Upon an application for a certificate authorizing operation as a common carrier under the "grandfather clause" of the Motor Carrier Act, the Interstate Commerce Commission issued a certificate more limited than that indicted in its earlier "compliance order." Held, that the applicant was not deprived of any procedural right. P. 320 U. S. 404.

2. Under the "grandfather clause" of the Motor Carrier Act, the Interstate Commerce Commission issued a common carrier certificate limited to "special operations," "nonscheduled door-to-door service," "irregular routes," and "transportation of not more than six persons in any one vehicle." Held, authorized by the Act and supported by the evidence. P. 320 U. S. 405.

3. The limitation of the certificate to "transportation of not more than six persons in any one vehicle" is not inconsistent with the proviso of § 208 of the Motor Carrier Act forbidding restriction of the right of a carrier to add equipment. Pp. 320 U. S. 406, 320 U. S. 409.

4. It was the intent of Congress to limit applicants under the "grandfather clause" to the type of equipment and service previously offered. P. 320 U. S. 410.

49 F.Supp. 92 affirmed.

Appeal from a decree of a District Court of three judges dismissing the complaint in a suit to set aside an order of the Interstate Commerce Commission.

Page 320 U. S. 402