Chicago, M. & St.P. Ry. Co. v. United States, 198 U.S. 385 (1905)
U.S. Supreme Court
Chicago, M. & St.P. Ry. Co. v. United States, 198 U.S. 385 (1905)
Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway Company v. United States
No. 198
Submitted April 6, 1905
Decided May 15, 1905
198 U.S. 385
Syllabus
The Postmaster General is given the power to arrange the railway routes upon which the mail is to be carried, and to adjust and readjust compensations, subject only to limitation of ascertaining the rate by average weight of mails.
There is nothing in § 4002, Rev.Stat., which requires the abrogation of a prior contract when an extension is made beyond the terminal of an established route or which precludes provision for the extension alone. While a contract may not be forced upon railway, it may accept and become bound by the action of the Post office Department.
The facts are stated in the opinion.