United States Supreme Court Cases & Opinions

U.S. Supreme Court

Huron Portland Cement Co. v. City of Detroit, 362 U.S. 440 (1960)

Huron Portland Cement Co. v. City of Detroit

No. 86

Argued February 29, 1960

Decided April 25, 1960

362 U.S. 440

Syllabus

The criminal provisions of the Smoke Abatement Code of the City of Detroit are constitutional, as applied to prosecution for the emission of dense black smoke by appellant's ships while docked at the Port of Detroit, even though such ships operate in interstate commerce and have been inspected, approved and licensed by the Federal Government for that purpose in accordance with a comprehensive system of regulation enacted by Congress. Pp. 362 U. S. 440-448.

(a) The federal inspection laws, which are designed to afford protection from the perils of maritime navigation, do not so preempt the field as to prevent local regulation to protect the health and enhance the cleanliness of the local community, and the local regulation here involved does not unconstitutionally burden the federal licenses issued to these vessels. Pp. 362 U. S. 444-448.

(b) The criminal provisions of the Smoke Abatement Code, as applied to appellant's ships, do not impose an undue burden on interstate commerce. P. 362 U. S. 448.

355 Mich. 227, 93 N.W.2d 888, affirmed.