Case ID: us-ct-cl_56/html/0475-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Mr. Justice van DevanteR", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

ATCHISON, TOPEKA & SANTA FE RAILWAY COMPANY v. THE UNITED STATES.
    [53 C. Cls., 528 ; 256 U. S. 205.]
    Judgment was rendered in favor of the United States in the court below. On appeal the judgment was reversed, and the Supreme Court decided:
    In the absence of a previous arrangement with the carrier for reduced rates under Sec. 22 of the interstate commerce act, the United States, by requesting and accepting interstate railway transportation for officers and men of the Army, obligates itself to pay the rates applicable generally for like transportation, less any lawful land grant deduction.
    Where the only through interstate tariff rate between two places is the individual rate, through transportation of a party should be charged at that rate and cannot lawfully be charged less by combining a party rate applicable to a part of the distance only with the individual rate applicable to the remainder.
    The through individual rate, in such case, held the “regular tariff rate” within the meaning of a contract between the carrier and the United States for the transportation of soldiers.
   Mr. Justice van DevanteR

delivered the opinion of the Supreme Court April 18, 1921.