Document: 333 U.S. 28 68 S.Ct. 358 92 L.Ed. 455 BOB-LO EXCURSION CO.v.PEOPLE OF STATE MICHIGAN. No. 374. Argued Dec. 16, 17, 1947. Decided Feb. 2, 1948. Appeal from the Supreme Court of State Michigan. Mr. Wilson W. Mills, Detroit, Mich., for appellant. Edmund E. Shepherd, Lansing, appellee. Justice RUTLEDGE delivered opinion Court. 1 Bois Blanc Island is part Province Ontario, Canada. It lies just above mouth Detroit River, some fifteen miles Michigan's metropolis upstream. The island, known in by corruption 'Bob-Lo,' has been characterized as that city's Coney Island. 2 Appellant owns almost all fee.1 For many years it operated during summer seasons, a place diverse amusements Detroit's varied population. also and operates two steamships transporting its patrons island's attractions to return. vessels engage no other business on these trips.2 No freight, mail or express carried; only passengers are bent pleasure, who board ship at Detroit; they go round-trip one-day limit3 tickets which include privilege landing going back later boat.4 intermediate stops made excursions. 3 In conducting this amusement transportation, appellant long followed policy, advertisement otherwise, invite encourage comers, except classes. One disorderly; other, colored people.5 From latter exclusion case arises. 4 June 1945 Sarah Elizabeth Ray, complaining witness, was employed Ordnance District. She forty girls were members class conducted Commerce High School under auspices ordnance district. planned an excursion 21 district's sponsorship. 5 On morning thirteen with their teacher appeared appellant's dock outing. All white Miss Ray. Each girl paid eighty-five cents one group, purchased distributed them. party then passed through gate, each member giving her ticket without question taker. They checked coats, went upper decks took chairs. 6 Shortly afterward Devereaux, assistant general manager, steward named Fox stated Ray could not along because she colored. At first remonstrated against discrimination refused leave. But when would be ejected forcibly, said go. Devereaux escorted ashore, saying company private concern exclude if wished. office offered return fare. accept it, names, left company's premises. There suggestion any guilty unbecoming conduct. Nor there dispute concerning facts. 7 This criminal prosecution Recorder's violation Michigan civil rights act6 practiced Jury trial being formally waived, court after hearing evidence argument found charged sentenced pay fine $25.7 appeal affirmed judgment, holding statute applicable circumstances presented valid application, constitutional objections put forward. 317 Mich. 686, 27 N.W.2d 139. due course probable jurisdiction noted here. Judicial Code, § 237(a), U.S.C.A. 344(a). 8 Act, 146, enacts: 9 'All persons within state shall entitled full equal accommodations, advantages, facilities privileges inns, hotels, restaurants, eating houses, barber shops, billiard parlors, stores, public conveyances land water, theatres, motion picture educational institutions, elevators, escalators, methods air transportation places accommodation, amusement, recreation, where refreshments may hereafter served, subject conditions limitations established law alike citizens alike, uniform prices.'8 10 By 147, owner, lessee, proprietor, agent employee such directly indirectly withholds accommodation secured account race, creed color, becomes misdemeanor, punishable section states, liable action treble damages.9 11 familiar type enacted states before Court's invalidation Congress' similar legislation Civil Rights Cases, 109 3, 18, 835.10 held over objection matter local 'public conveyance' meaning 146.11 We conclusion course. That impliedly rejected based upon alleged denial process protection laws Fourteenth Amendment, issues now eliminated case.12 12 have therefore consider single narrow whether courts correctly commerce clause, Art. I, 8, Federal Constitution does forbid applying act sustain conviction. agree determination. 13 can doubt foreign scope 8.13 Lord v. Goodall Steamship Co., 102 541, 26 224; cf. Edwards California, 314 160, 62 164, 86 119. Appellant's sail port territory wholly another nation's sovereignty. cross international boundary, thread several times short trip. necessarily complies federal regulations commerce, including those governing customs, immigration navigation matters. likewise satisfies Canadian authorities.14 14 Of we must watchful intrusion into intercourse between country neighbors. segment special interest, apart necessity safeguarding interest matters immigration, customs navigation, falls characterization. hard find substantial touching soil more highly concern. Except small fenced-off portion reserved lighthouse three cottage sites,15 island economically socially, though politically, adjunct city Detroit. Not immigrations both countries, but physical barriers prevent intercourse, commercial social, Canadians patrons, former come means American vessels, holiday same roundabout route. 15 record indicates access shore island. even surreptitious entry trom mainland. sole meas carry own Blanc's recreational facilities. These travel exclusively passage beginning ending soil. principally residents vicinity. aboard day. None bank river. operation accessory facilities, apparently do provision overnight guests. than right come, Canada's mainland elsewhere, 16 sum facts makes geographic sense. insulate done connection social traffic people usually characteristic normal flow incidents commerce. Since enterprise closed localized manner consent, detraction whatever friendly neighbor's sovereignty implied itself socially business, although so largely carried waters. As conducted, presently until Canada Congress countries treaty see fit add others, greater Dominion Ontario interests United States regulating our 17 regulation application contains nothing out harmony, much less inconsistent policy nor, far advised, policy.16 urges, however, might adopt conflict act, thus placing inescapable dilemma applied operations. Conceding possibility, think viewing remote hardly conceivable. thing, think, true possibility take conflicting action. 18 If regulate here seem clearly justify act. too late maintain possess regulatory powers meeting regulated important phases intes tate particularly relation consent.17 And consent nearly hundred exercised like power diversity branch formula announced Cooley Board Wardens, How. 299, 996.18 See Union Brokerage Co. Jensen, 322 202, 64 967, 88 1227, 152 A.L.R. 1072; Kelly Washington, 302 1, 58 87, 82 authorities cited cases. Indeed criterion frequently cases among often forgotten historic decision dealt indiscriminately commerce.19 19 suggests excludes states. verges view regarding Hall DeCuir, 95 485, 24 547, supplemented Morgan Virginia, 328 33 , 66 1050, 90 1317, 165 574, Pryce Swedish-American Lines, D.C., 30 F.Supp. 371, flatly controlling case. need say decisions comparable facts, degree localization involved; attenuating effects, any, nations likely produced regulation; actual probability different sovereignties. involved completely locally insulated interstate commerce.20 none affected merely locality community largely. complete made. case, course, authority Court, problem presented. Mississippi comprehended motor carriage common carriers factually relevant 20 difficult imagine what national securing uniformity affecting relations nations, reasonably adversely outweigh doing so. Certainly overrides And, ruling strange indeed, apply long-settled racial creedal peculiarly institutions. concluded 'that provisions effective instant results this, defendant will required operating ships conveyances' negro race others. Our review disclose requirement impose undue burden commerce.' 694, 139, 142. Those conclusions right. 22 judgment affirmed. 23 Affirmed. DOUGLAS, concurring. 25 is, I controlled principle cuts deeper deserves separately. 373, segregation. unconstitutional Louisiana forbidding steamboats (which plied Mississippi) segregating according race. Virginia requiring segregation buses. character severalStates moved unreasonable simpler one. carrier denying person his color. Negro carrier's unthinkable me strike down carriers—local interstate—to transport regardless common-law duty ofc arriers provide service all, require absence law. Missouri Pacific R. Larabee Flour Mills 211 612, 619, 623, 624, 29 214, 216, 218, 53 352. police system adequate reason Railway Mail Ass'n Corsi, 326 88, 65 1483, 89 2072. Moreover, situation basis Clause defeats discriminates which, specifying mode disturbs essential proper functioning. Southern Arizona, 325 761, 1515, 1915; supra. protected level. every pass prescribed State. Or government treaty. Inconsistent give way exercise authority. am aware create classes citizenship color grant freedom movement channels certain only. Cf. 177—181, 168—170, reflected Acts indeed bars (see Mitchell States, 313 80, 61 873, 85 1201) harmony reveals attitude. danger confusion sustained. sister undertook bar Negroes carriers, contravene rule invade 'fundamental individual guaranteed Amendment.' supra, page 94, 877. Nothing least 'equality legal right' (Missouri ex rel. Gaines Canada, 305 337, 350, 59 232, 236, 83 208) obtaining satisfy Equal Protection Clause. Hence how approval interferes vehicles pattern. State's head-on collision whose shores reached present 31 BLACK, joins concurs opinion. 32 JACKSON, whom CHIEF JUSTICE agrees, dissenting. undoubtedly intrastate Congressional enactment tenor countries. here, validly set Congress. 34 sphere state's thought expand contract embodied particular regulation. A equality accommodations invalid 547. sm e 574. Heretofore steadily failure enact specific operate expose rules, controversial sought advance. principles apparent permit policies obvious 35 enforce embarkation landing, effect control pertains journey. To determine commodities taken abroad become lifeblood itself. identical governments. Government takes active inbound goods virtue across boundaries. outbound crossing line. bulk travelers very stay bent. 36 wholesome amiable detailed possible Government. alone effectively protect foster kind should allowed it. concede state, logically claimed port, border, field used 37 admits subjects ground foreign. fails lay standard judge enough free distinguishable great deal Mexican borders, perhaps volume. Communities sprung up either side, economic interdependent, scrupulous regard boundary. Localities side line develop reliance reciprocity stability years, cannot rely farsightedness policy. 38 seems multitude burdening capricious stand ready, analysis sufficiently strong element weak stand. enunciate criteria predict classification passing impression guide ourselves successors. case-by-case conjecture. clause intended promote rather litigation. 39 believe once conceded, fact may, must, move stream tract end purposes, lots. corporation, authorized charter 'lease, parks charter, lease, steamers ferry boats together terminal pertaining thereto,' well acquire, own, use dispose real personal property 'as necessary convenient aforesaid company.' shows season uses trips excursions kept entirely separate concerned relating Apparently provided fixes rates. usual charge 85¢, Saturday nights Sundays higher rate applies. Special arranged churches, Sunday schools, clubs, lodges, etc., regular passenger allows organization discount permits make profit. discounts uniform. testified: 'The adopted excluding so-called 'Zoot-suiters,' rowdyish, rough boisterous colored.' printed ticket: 'Right reject refunding purchs price.' others disorderly persons. Penal Code §§ 146—148, amended Act 117, Pub. 1937, Comp.Laws (Supp.1940) 17115-146 17115-148, Mich.Stat.Ann. (1946 Cum.Supp.) 28.343—28.346. sections reenacted broadened 130, Pub.Acts 1885. notes 10. 'directed' verdict denied, new trial. filed written unreported. appropriate statutory citations forth note 6. Section 147 follows: 'Any proprietr superintendent, employe refuse, withhold deny thereof publish, circulate, issue, display, post communications, notice refused, withheld denied welcome, objectionable acceptable, desired solicited, offense deemed misdemeanor conviction fined twenty-five dollars imprisoned days imprisonment discretion court; place, violates section, injured party, damages sustained, recovered action: Provided, unassignable.' phrase 'on color' withholding publishing, notices advertisements specified. 148 forbids selecting grand petit jurors. decided 1883. originally Seventeen similar, instances substantially identical, legislation. given 382, n. 24, 1056, urged carrier, utility, terms 146. supreme said: 'There escape herein engaged provides: accommodations' afforded conveyances. constitutional. Bolden Grand Rapids Operating Corp., 239 318, 214 N.W. 241, 183. * *.' 695, 143. distinguished Meisner Belle Isle & Windsor Ferry 154 545, 118 14, L.R.A.,N.S., 872, 129 Am.St.Rep. 493, corporate predecessor tort breach passengers, pointing had asserted grounded 696, jurisdictional statement Amendment questions, issue. reply brief stats : cause us arising Clause: (federal) 14th understand oral argument, response inquiry, issue time question. did refer explicitly contentions, assignments error affirmance Until apparently, maintained held, hedged further that, erroneous, still nullified clause. E.g., arrival inspection. Prior war, returning inspections authorities. During war inspection suspended, filing bond indemnify Treasury loss revenue expenses importation dutiable agreement Immigration Service bring aliens ineligible entry. appear sites inhabited, presumably keeper occupies 1944 Racial Discrimination Session Laws 1944, c. 51. indicated requirement, specifically Interstate 49 U.S.C. 3(1), extended water air, 46 815, 484, 905, 905. 1201. compels collective bargaining represent employees unit 45 151 et seq., seq. Steele Louisville Nashville 323 192, 226, 173; Tunstall Brotherhood Locomotive Firemen Enginemen, 210, 235, 187. direction accord Hirabayashi 320 81, 63 1375, 87 1774; Korematsu 193, 194; Ex parte Mitsuye Endo, 283, 208, 243. recall again August 7, 1789, First declared pilotage bays, inlets, rivers, harbors ports continue conformity existing thereafter Stat. 54. occasion modified legislation, e.g., March 1837, 153, 212, making lawful navigating waters constituting boundary pilots qualified either. Olsen Smith, 195 332, 52, 224, sustained Texas British vessel coming port. contention legislate disposed sentence. unsoundness demonstrated previous court, since settled 'they fall seen subject.' (Citing cases).' 341, 53. Other upholding effect. Joliffe, Wall. 450, 805; McNamee, 572, 234; Anderson Coast S.S. 225 187, 626, 56 1047. Clyde Mallory Lines Alabama, 296 261, 194, 80 215, cited; Pigeon River Improvement, Slide Boom Charles Cox Ltd., 291 138, 158, 159, 54 361, 366, 78 695. deals expressly types arguments counsel clear actually involved. Consul, coastwise trade Philadelphia New York, Undine, appears destination, domestic, Undine shown record, sailed 'from river Delaware 'addition' argumentative pages 302, 303, 996, Consul coasting license bound domestic another, plus omission reference (when supported additional argument), inference justified Moreover argued trading. Port Richmond Bergen Point Chosen Freeholders Hudson County, 234 317, 331, 821, 825, 826, 1330.

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