Madera Water Works v. Madera, 228 U.S. 454 (1913)
U.S. Supreme Court
Madera Water Works v. Madera, 228 U.S. 454 (1913)
Madera Water Works v. Madera
No. 229
Argued April 17, 18, 1913
Decided April 28, 1913
228 U.S. 454
Syllabus
If the constitution of the state authorizes municipalities to construct utility plants as well after as before such plants have been built by private parties, one constructing such a plant takes the risk of what may happen, and cannot invoke the Fourteenth Amendment to protect him against loss by the erection of a municipal plant.
There is nothing in the Constitution of California that can be construed as a contract, express or implied, that municipalities will not construct water works that will compete with privately owned works built under the provisions of the constitution giving the right, subject
to municipal regulation of charges, to lay mains in the street of municipalities where there are no public work.
185 F. 281 affirmed.
The facts are stated in the opinion.