Document: 397 U.S. 137 90 S.Ct. 844 25 L.Ed.2d 174 Loren J. PIKE, etc., Appellant,v.BRUCE CHURCH, INC. No. 301. Argued Jan. 13, 1970. Decided March 2, Rex E. Lee, Phoenix, Ariz., for appellant. Jacob Abramson, Salinas, Cal., appellee. Mr. Justice STEWART delivered the opinion of Court. 1 The appellee is a company engaged in extensive commercial farming operations Arizona and California. appellant official charged with enforcing Fruit Vegetable Standardization Act.1 A provision Act requires that, certain exceptions, all cantaloupes grown offered sale must 'be packed regular compact arrangement closed standard containers approved by supervisor * *.'2 Invoking his authority under that provision, issued an order prohibiting from transporting uncrated its Parker, Arizona, ranch to nearby Blythe, California, packing processing. then brought this action federal court enjoin as unconstitutional. three-judge was convened. 28 U.S.C. §§ 2281, 2284. After first granting temporary relief, permanent injunction upon ground challenged constituted unlawful burden interstate commerce. This appeal followed. § 1253. 396 812, 91, 24 65. 2 facts are not dispute, having been stipulated parties. has many years business growing, harvesting, processing, fruits vegetables at numerous locations California shipment markets throughout Nation. One company's newest where, pursuant 1964 lease Secretary Interior, Colorado River Indian Agency, Tribes, it undertook develop approximately 6,400 acres uncultivated, arid land agricultural use. spent more than $3,000,000 clearing, leveling, irrigating, otherwise developing land. began growing on part 1966, harvested large cantaloupe crop there each subsequent year. considered be higher quality those other areas State. Because they highly perishable, maturity immediately harvested, processed, packed, shipped prevent spoliage. processing can performed only sheds. had no such facilities transported 1966 Parker harvest bulk loads 31 miles away, where operated centralized efficient shed facilities. There melons were sorted, inspected, shipped. In 1967 again sent Blythe sorting, packing, shipping. 1968, however, entered here issue, shipping out State unless manner kind quantity involved so sheds, because available or anywhere else faced imminent loss anticipated 1968 gross amount $700,000. It unrecoverable District Court granted preliminary relief.3 3 discovery proceedings, agreed statement filed court. contained stipulation practical effect appellant's would compel build near take months construct cost $200,000. briefing argument, injunction, finding 'the complained constitutes commerce.'4 4 threshold contention even though expressly forbids cantaloupes, imposes If complied with, he argues, will regulated intrastate goods destined Articles being made ready movement necessarily yet commerce, which, says, begins when articles shipper. making relies Court's decisions Federal Compress & Warehouse Co. v. McLean, 291 17, 54 267, 78 L.Ed. 622, Chassaniol City Greenwood, 584, 541, 1004. Both cases taxes imposed Mississippi cotton warehouse compress located within non-discriminatory levied both warehoused itself processes necessary resale. burdens since most taxed ultimately out-of-state buyers. upheld constitutionality taxes. entirely clear opinions whether their rationale before commerce begun, indirect remote. 5 But any event, do support argument present case does offect place, come rest '(b)efore orders (were) given, (had) ascertainable destination without state.' U.S., 21, 269. Here, contrast, perishable location harvest. Even point, State, whereas application statute issue require operation now carried outside instead there. theory correct, statutes requiring kinds done home sister immune constitutional challenge. Yet have consistently invalidated Commerce Clause. Foster-Fountain Packing Haydel, 278 1, 49 73 147; Johnson 16, 6, 155; Toomer Witsell, 334 385, 68 1156, 92 1460. See also Lemke Farmers Grain Co., 258 50, 42 244, 66 458; Shafer 268 189, 45 481, 69 909. Thus affect question becomes unconstitutionally. 6 Although criteria determining validity state affecting variously stated, general rule emerges phrased follows: Where regulates even-handedly effectuate legitimate local public interest, effects incidental, clearly excessive relation putative benefits. Huron Portland Cement Detroit, 362 440, 443, 80 813, 816, 852. purpose found, one degree. And extent tolerated course depend nature interest involved, could promoted well lesser impact activities. Occasionally candidly undertaken balancing approach resolving these issues, Southern Pacific 325 761, 65 1515, 89 1915, but frequently spoken terms 'direct' 'indirect' burdens. See, e.g., supra. 7 At core requirements meet standards wholesomeness quality, way outer layer exposed portion pack 'materially misrepresent' lot whole.5 impetus fear some growers inferior deceptively packaged produce, result reputation generally tarnished financial return concomitantly reduced. passed 1929. primary promote preserve deceptive packaging. 8 We not, then, dealing 'state legislation field safety propriety regulation long recognized,'6 designed protect consumers contaminated unfit goods. Its design simply enhance These surely interest. Sligh Kirkwood, 237 52, 61, 35 501, 503, 59 835. State's power produce particular receptacle, States Box Basket White, 296 176, 56 159, 138. we recognized maximizing industry it. Brown, 317 341, 63 307, 87 315. Therefore, applied who package may assume Act. further full forbid misleading use name elsewhere. And, rests sure footing. For, said, 'not subject trade nor protection clause Constitution.' supra, 60, S.Ct., 502; Baldwin G.A.F. Seelig, Inc., 294 511, 55 497, 79 1032. 9 through far different impact, quite purpose. exceptionally high quality. them cannot capital expenditure transports identify bear packer.7 keeping unsullied, reflected good superior produce. appellant, words, complaining putting product, product packaged. As brief puts matter, 'It Arizona's purchasers informed fruit Arizona'.8 10 easy see why entitled benefit expense fact produces crops, asserted one. tenuous identified originating constitutionally justify requirement operate unneeded $200,000 plant is, constitutionally, significant extent. For viewed suspicion efficiently pursuing declared virtually per se illegal. 11 argues above whose express concealed secure employment while regulatory hint indicated unconstitutional absence held invalid South Carolina owners shrimp boats licensed fish maritime belt off unload catch 'shipping another State.' What said applies well: 12 'There uncontradicted evidence appellants' costs materially increased necessity unloaded ports rather bases Georgia maintain own docking, warehousing, refrigeration addition, inevitable concomitant work Carolina, economically disadvantageous fishermen, divert which might go Georgia; tendency impose artificial rigidity economic pattern industry.' 403—404, 1166.9 13 While entire industry, just straitjacket respect allocation resources. Such incidental consequence scheme perhaps if compelling involved. minimal best—certainly less substantial securing people. Clause jurisdiction employment, permit person into solely sake enhancing producers borders. 14 judgment affirmed. Ariz.Rev.Stat.Ann., Tit. 3, c. Art. 4. Ariz.Rev.Stat.Ann. 3—503, subsec. C. (Supp.1969). view emergency situation presented, narrow specific unconstitutional, fully justified abstaining exercise pending litigation courts. Compare Hostetter Idlewild Bon Voyage Liquor Corp., 377 324, 329, 84 1293, 1296, 350 Reetz Bozanich, 82, 788, 68. unreported. 3—481, subsecs. 8. 796, 1533, 1915 (Douglas, J., dissenting). Agric. Code 45691. Fruit, Nut Act, Code, Division identical Each same preventing packs, required two exactly same. Appellant's Brief, 43. common-law property wild game, presented especially strong control.

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