Document: 347 U.S. 645 74 S.Ct. 826 98 L.Ed. 1015 SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE UNITED STATESv.UNITED STATES et al. FLORIDA CITRUS COMMISSION v. Nos. 480, 481. Argued April 27, 28, 1954. Decided June 7, Mr. Maxwell W. Wells, Orlando, Fla., for appellants Florida Citrus Commission Neil Brooks, Washington, D.C., appellant Secretary of Agriculture. Edward M. Reidy, appellee I.C.C. Hugh B. Cox, appellees Baltimore & O.R. Co., Justice FRANKFURTER delivered the opinion Court. 1 Five railroads which transport fruits and vegetables into New York Philadelphia filed with Interstate Commerce schedules charges unloading services performed by them at these points. Various shippers shipper organizations, State Commissions, other interested parties, protested proposed charges. The Agriculture, acting on behalf affected agricultural interests, intervened.1 in due course approved charges, 272 648. On further consideration, were cut roughly half, 286 119. Complaints against even reduced then Commission, but dismissed it basis its prior decision, this litigation to enjoin set aside Commission's order followed. 28 U.S.C. §§ 1336, 2325, U.S.C.A. 2325. Numerous parties again intervened consumer interests side protestants, carriers involved Commission. three-judge district court, Judge De Vane dissenting, upheld 114 F.Supp. 420. Direct appeals under § 1253, brought cases here. 902, 427. 2 general rule is that responsibility carrier, as part transportation service covered line-haul rate, 'deliver' goods placing such a position make accessible consignee. Normally not delivery In accordance principles, railroad spots car team track yards destination city, consignee given appropriate free time unload. case private sidings, railroad's job ends when has placed consignee's siding. 3 These are inflexible rules. law recognizes reflects practicalities rail diversities they give rise. Prior 1925, railroads, meet demands competitive industries, without additional charge specified Loading Unloading Carload Freight, 101 394, tariffs abolishing most points, authorized an thereafter performing request. By present proceeding was instituted, only points where still any addition rate. 4 exception two cities no aberration. It result special conditions exist Philadelphia. significance heart controversy. 5 No carrying or York, except Central, direct line Manhattan. roads transporting bulk produce Pennsylvania Erie Railroads, terminate their lines Jersey Hudson River. There, cars put barges floated across river, either be switched onto carriers' Manhattan tracks unloaded directly Duane Street piers.2 pier terminals leased City various strategically located adjacent Washington Market, York's largest fruit vegetable market. At tracks, according usual practice, consignees do own unloading. However, because inadequacy facilities more advantageous location terminals, approximately 75% coming directed stations. 6 procedure stations follows. When floats docked pier—this usually happens night—work crews begin unload place contents floor.3 notified advance arrival goods, times trucks can come floor pick up merchandise. Sales auction also provided some immediately disposed manner. event allowed themselves; indeed found would 'impracticable.'4 7 Philadelphia, situation somewhat different. Here there problem water transportation, shown inadequate. 1927, Ohio built terminals,5 and, available there, 95% consigned now received Each platforms, one intended sale, sale. operations here considerably simpler cheaper than piers; but, all carriers.6 8 light background carriers, faced sharply rising costs operation, sought approval cities. Such urged, serve bring generally prevailing practice—that must or, if want carrier them, prepared pay it. 9 here, challenge principles. contention rather particular essential consignees; therefore rate encompasses unloading; finally, cannot separately compensated unless show inadequate cover 10 claims met, real question before us whether met adequacy satisfies requirements judicial review, limited though scope may be. With respect findings clearly since permitted unloading, until carriers.7 Cf. United States Smelting, Refining Mining 339 186, 70 537, 94 750. Moreover, dealing terminal have indicated cost integral through See Fruits Vegetables St., N.Y., 66 135, 139; R. Co. Alabama V.R.Co., 268, 272, 280—281. Yet court below attributed 'the haul terminated reached station,' 'unloading service, wholly distinct from delivery'. F.Supp., page 424. But taken whole, support statements. 11 had sustained imposition useful precedents E.g., supra. those cases, absence circumstances justify deviation normal delivery, warranted concluding might impose separate requested Here, however, peculiar piers, hence necessarily encompassed haul. Instead treating merits, appears relied too much decisions different contexts. 12 While like been re-examine sufficiency initiate new division existing rate,8 precluded following fairly adapted unique case. unnaturally felt undesirable revise inevitable effect entire tariff structure, deal appropriately special, localized presented piers. Or well thought redivision substantial involved. 13 necessary consider power, findings, approve pursuing courses. technical complex matters these, wide discretion formulating solutions. we say while adumbrated reasons commended approval,9 adequately explained departure norms sufficiently spelled out legal decision. We know disregarded prerequisite goods; whether, unusual situation, modified doctrine see England Coal Coke Norfolk W.R. 33 276; reason made explicit, deemed irrelevant restated examining See, e.g., Terminal Charges Pacific Coast Ports, 255 673; Lumber Harbor, 256 463. short, decision 'with simplicity clearness halting impression ripens reasonable certitude. end left spell out, argue, choose between conflicting inferences. Something precise requisite quasi-jurisdictional administrative agency. Beaumont, S.L. Ry. States, 282 74, 86, 51 1(5), 75 221; 194, 215, 119 (125), 291. what means duty becomes ours right wrong.' Chicago, M., St. P. P.R. 294 499, 510—511, 55 462, 467, 79 1023. 14 Appellants contend permit imposed vegetables, imposing similar commodities violates Act.10 Since already concluded should remanded remand explicit differences similarities treatment accorded same If 'under substantially circumstances,' Act requires same. If, hand, important justifying all, ought find difficulty defining differences.11 15 Similarly, deed desirable upon reconsideration controversy, stating led assimilate, so far concerned, York. 16 judgment vacated, ordered proceedings inconsistent opinion. ordered. 17 Judgment vacated directions. 18 CHIEF JUSTICE, BLACK, DOUGLAS hold invalid enforcement ground failed determine reasonableness railroads' rates increased 19 JACKSON consideration cases. Under 1291, Agriculture complaint intervene resort original appellate remedies affecting farm products. Central Railroads perform floatage. practices vary carrier. For example, contractor used automatic equipment instead manual labor. I.C.C., 655. later report, finding 'at hearing offered freight float.' 125. California Fruit Growers Exchange, after initial 'permit consignees, piers' refused. O. jointly Reading Railroad. too, let company selling account refused, 'terminal public facility granting permission rise dual method conducted trade, public.' 137. connection, noted 'impracticable' terminals. 648, 654—655: 'Delivery effected lading convenient floor.' 119, 125: 'The first where, unloaded, taken.' 127: 'After platform * *' 129: charge, 'for making piers.' relation adverted earlier 662, sufficient clarity. 49 15(6), authorize among participating finds 'unjust, unreasonable, (or) inequitable'. allocating carriers. V.R. 280; Atlantic Line Arcade A.R. 194 729, 745—747; Official-Southern Divisions, 287 497, 538—543. Official-Southwestern 553, 584—593. As stated: 'An arising primarily topography area, exists lower handling shipments benefit both (including consignees) helpful avoidance traffic congestion. acquisition land area impracticable impossible. Physical around limit space establishment operation community obviously sharing patrons burden overcoming difficulties congested served transportation.' 139—140. reference figures introduced showing considerable disparity per including (286 131): Pier Team Tracks Terminals Erie................ 45.44. 83.87 Pennsylvania........ 73.57. 122.73 O.............. 70.46. 119.86 Produce 39.64. 109.36 27.66. 75.94 2, prohibits charging receiving 'a greater less compensation rendered person (for) contemporaneous kind *.' Section 3(1) makes unlawful subject 'any description undue unreasonable prejudice disadvantage whatsoever latest stated 'as regards movement freight, identical manner carfloated unloaded.' 123. Without more, record does warrant preference unjust discrimination violation sections act.' 142.

Category: 7