and Phrases,PermanentEdition,Volume 31, Page 53 and 1956 PocketParts. These judicialdefinitionsconformwith the above diction- ary and encyclopediadefinitions,
It is clear that the word "paramount"given its ordinarysig- nificationrefersto somethingthat is superior;higher;preeminent; above all; of highestrank or nature. This necessarilyconveysthe idea that the consideration of the public convenienceand the adequacyof . -
Senator Jep 5. Fuller,Page 3 (WV-57A)
the~renice to the uublia shall be a ruDerior oomaiderationam oanpared with the oonelderationor the 00843of operationmhem the oclrieaionie seekingto determinewhether or not to relax the requirementof operat- u at leant one train a day.
We we of the opinion,however,that the above MBtiOUed pro- vie0 which omtalne the word wpararmat* ie, in effect, meaninglses for the r0ihfingr08mif3: Artiole 6479, sought to be amended,providedthat the Railroad Camuiesicmcould relax in the requirementor runningat least one pas- aenger train each day "when, in ite opinion,public conveniencepermite of such relaxationend ehall relax such reqnirsmemtwhen it appeareupon such hearing that the nmnimg of one train each day, Sundaysexcepted: is notneoeseary in the renditionof adequateserviceto the public, z that on any railroador pert or portionor branch thereof,passenger serviceas frequentas one train each day, Sundaysexoepted,with the passengertrafficofferedor reaeonablyto be expecteddoes not and will not pay the eoet of suoh eenice plus a reeeonable return upon the proa- erty employedin the renditionof such eervloe."
Under the proposedbill, the words "and,when (2) in lte opin- ion" has been substitutedfor the word "or" which is underlinedabove, sothat under the proposedbill the RailroadCcenmission before it per- mite the relaxationof servicemust find (1) that publicconvenience permitsof suoh releae.t.ion end that the nmning of one traineaoh day, exceptSunday, is not neoeesaryIn the renditionof adequateservice to the public;and also must find (2) that the paesengertrafficof- fered and reasonablyto be expecteddoes not and will not pay the cost of such serviceplus a reasonablereturnupon the propertyemployedin the renditionof such service.
If the RailroadCommissionmust make affirmativefindingson both of these issues,it appears to be Wuaterialwhich ehall be given~ paremountconsideration.Affirmativefindingsmuet be m&e on eech ia- sue and if an affixmative~ findingon each iaaue is required,it is whol- ly ixmatsrialwhichthe Commissionooneidereof greatestimportance.
Opinionho. UW-57 dated March 8, 1957, is withdrawnand this opinionis substitutedin lieu thereof.
The word "paramoant"as used on page 2 of the Can- mittee Substitutefor SenateBill 100 conveysthe idea thattheconsiderationof the public conven- ience and the adequacy of the serviceto the pub- lic shall be a superiorconsideration a8 compared with the considerationof the cost of operation when the camaissionis seekingto determinewheth- SenatorJep 5. Fuller,Page 4 (WV-57A)
er or not to relcu the requirementof operatingat lea&one paamga@r tra*ada~. Howemr, the Bill prowieovkioh ooat#~ the word "parmount" in, In effieot,meaningle68.
WILL WIISOR WILL WIISOR Attoryy General Attorney
BY dweml A. Ca!aree Aesimtant
OPDIICle COkQdI!mm H. WadyChandler,Chainwa~