Case Name: The State of Florida, Ex rel. E. J. Triay, as Receiver of the Jacksonville Traction Company, Relator, v. R. Hudson Burr, Newton A. Blitch and Royal C. Dunn, as the Railroad Commissioners of the State of Florida, Respondents
Court: Florida Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Florida
Decision Date: 1920-03-19
Citations: 79 Fla. 290
Docket Number: 
Parties: The State of Florida, Ex rel. E. J. Triay, as Receiver of the Jacksonville Traction Company, Relator, v. R. Hudson Burr, Newton A. Blitch and Royal C. Dunn, as the Railroad Commissioners of the State of Florida, Respondents.
Judges: Taylor & West, J. J., concur.
Reporter: Florida Reports
Volume: 79
Pages: 290–361

Head Matter:
The State of Florida, Ex rel. E. J. Triay, as Receiver of the Jacksonville Traction Company, Relator, v. R. Hudson Burr, Newton A. Blitch and Royal C. Dunn, as the Railroad Commissioners of the State of Florida, Respondents.
Opinion Filed March 19, 1920.
1. When a tribunal refuses to exercise jurisdiction that it clearly .possesses and ought to exercise, mandamus is the proper remedy to compel its exercise.
2. The Railroad Commissioners are administrative officers having statutory powers and duties; and when they decline to exercise authority or to perform duties conferred upon them by law, they may by mandamus, in the absence of other adequate remedy afforded by law, be required in proper cases duly presented to proceed with the performance of their duties. In such cases the command is to proceed to exercise their authority and discretion.
3. Municipalities may exercise only such powers as are clearly conferred upon them by the express or implied provisions of law; and ail doubts as to the existence of a power in a municipality is resolved against the city. This rule was applicable to statutes conferring authority upon the Railroad Commissioners until the enactment of Chapter 6527, Acts of 1913, which provides that “the laws relative to the Railroad Commissioners shall be deemed remedial laws to be construed liberally” and that “all doubts as to their jurisdiction and powers shall be resolved in their favor.”
4. Independently of a right to regulate and control the rates to be charged for public service reserved in a grant of a franchise or right to use the city streets, a city or other municipality has no power to regulate the rates to be charged by public service corporations in the absence of express or plain legislative authority to do so. Nor does such authority arise from the power to regulate the opening and use of streets, nor from a grant of the general right to control and regulate the right to erect works in the streets of the city.
5. Where it is doubtful whether a statute authorizes a municipality to fix rates for a public utility company, such doubt must be resolved against the authority of the city.
C. Even if authority is by statute given to a municipality to fix rates for a public service corporation operating therein, such authority is subject to legislative control.
7. If there is a general law conferring upon municipalties authority to fix rates for street railroads and also a special law conferring a similar power upon a particular city, being inconsistent with the general law, the special or local law prevails as to the city to which it applies.
8. The provisions of Chapter 4052, Laws of Florida, Sections 1024-8, General Statutes, do not confer upon municipalities authority to fix rates for public utility corporations. Nor does Chapter 4859, Acts of 1899, Section 1016, General Statutes, confer such authority on municipalities.
9. The charter Act, Chapter 3775, Acts 1887, conferring upon the . city of Jacksonville the “power by ordinance * to grant the right of way through the streets, avenues and squares of said city for the purpose of street or other railroads” and Chapter 5347, Acts of 1903, amending the city charter, do not confer upon the city authority to fix rates of fares for street railroads.
10. Any contract ordinance passed by the city with statutory authority fixing by agreement street car fares, as an incident to the granting of franchises to a street railroad company, is subject to legislative control.
11. All regulations and contracts relative to transportation rates for common carriers, whether made by legislative authority or otherwise, are subject to a pioper exercise of the police power of the State, under which power such rates may from time to time be increased or reduced or otherwise regulated as the interests of the public and the organic property rights of the carriers may require. The inherent and reserved police power of the State cannot be abrogated by legislative enactment.
12. Section 30, Article XVI, of the State Constitution, expressly recognizes and does not limit the power of the Legislature to enact laws for the regulation and .control of rates charged by common carriers; and the power may be exercised notwithstanding statutory or municipal regulations or private contracts that may have been made with reference to such rates.
13. Under Section 8, Article VIII, of the Constitution, the jurisdiction and powers conferred by statute upon municipalities may be altered or amended at any time by the Legislature.
14. An ordinance of the city of Jacksonville which, by agreement with the Jacksonville Traction Company, limits to five cents the fares to be charged for street car transportation in the city, does not preclude the exercise by the State of its right under the iioiiee power to fix rates for such transportation that will be reasonable and just to the carrier as well as to the public.
15. The constitution protects lawful and valid contract rights of private parties against illegal impairment by legislation; but the organic law, State or. Federal, does not forbid legislative control of the rights of the public in the rates to be charged by common carriers even though such rates may be fixed by contract between the earlier and a municipality.
1C. In the absence of express organic limitations, the police power of the State may be exercised in making just and reasonable rates to be charged by common carriers for the transportation of passengers and property; and all private contracts for such transportation in so far as they affect public rights, are in law made subject to a proper exeicise of the police power of the State within' organic limitations.
17. The State, in the exercise of its police power, may reduce or increase the rates fixed by a city ordinance for a common carrier company without reference to and independently of and notwithstanding the ordinance contract or rights thereunder claimed by the company or by the municipality or the public, when justice and the general welfare demand it.
18. In granting to coiporations franchises to engage in the business of common carriers, the law contemplates a continuance of the public service, unless otherwise provided; and the law also contemplates an adequate and efficient service and that a reasonable compensation therefor shall be allowed, to comport with organic property rights; therefore it is clearly within the legislative power and duty to enact regulations by which a reasonable return for service rendered by common carriers may be effectuated as well as to enact regulations by which excessive charges and unjust discriminations by common carriers may be prevented and repressed.
19. The intent of a valid statute, is the law, and this is ascertained by a consideration of the language of the enactment.
20. Where the legislative intent is clearly manifest by the language used, considered in its ordinary and grammatical sense, rules of construction are unnecessary and inapplicable.
21. Where there is ambiguity or uncertainty of meaning in the words employed in a statute, the legislative intent should be ascertained by a consideration of the entire act and of others in pari materia; and in doing so appropriate effect should, if possible, be given to all the material .portions of the law so as to carry out and effectuate in the fullest degree the intention of the lawmakers.
22. Where a rule of construction is contained in the statute itself, that rule should be applied, if it is necessary to use any rules of construction, in determining the meaning or effect of the law.
23. The State has the power to reduce or increase or otherwise regulate the transportation fares charged by the Jacksonville Traction Company; and such power is not affected by any authority conferred upon the city of Jacksonville or by the ordinance of the city limiting the fares to five cents. And the power of the State in the premises may properly be exerted through the Railroad Commissioners, an administrative tribunal of the State, under appropriate authority conferred by statute.
24. When a valid statute confers a power or imposes a duty upon designated officials, a failure to exercise the power or to perform the duty does not affect the existence of the power or duty or curtail the right to require performance in a proper case.
25. The statute conferring upon the Railroad Commissioners authority to regulate the tariff rates of “all railroads, railroad companies and common carriers” must be interpreted by its own terms, and must be considered as a whole in determining whether it applies to street railroads.
26. Where an amendment is enacted, it must be assumed that a change in the existing' law to the extent indicated by the nature of the amendment was intended unless a contrary intent appears from all of the enactments on the subject; and courts should give appropriate effect to the amendment.
27. Chapter 6527, Acts of 1913, “relating to the Railroad Commissioners and the regulation of common carriers,” provides “that the laws relatives to the Railroad Commissioners shall be deemed remedial laws to be construed liberally to further the legislative intent to regulate and control public carriers in the public interest,” and that “all doubts as to their jurisdiction and powers shall be resolved in their favor;” and these requirements should be -observed in construing and applying the statute.
28. The words ‘jurisdiction” relates to the subjects or objects over which authority may be exercised, as well as; to the nature and extent of the authority to be exercised over the subjects or objects.
29. Chapter 6527, Acts of 1913, when “construed liberally” and when “all doubts as to the jurisdiction and powers of the Railroad Commissioners are resolved in their favor,” as the statute expressly requires shall be done, and confers upon the Railroad Commissioners the authority and duty to “make reasonable and just rates of passenger tariffs to be observed by all railroads, railroad companies and common carriers doing business in this State over their respective lines,” including electric street railroads engaged in transportation of passengers from point to point within the municipalities and outside thereof in this State; and this authority and duty are not affected by the ordinance which by agreement with the carrier limits the fares to five cents from points to points within the city.
30. The allegations of the alternative writ, admitted by the motion to quash, as to the confiscatory nature of the rates fixed by municipal ordinance, show a right in the relator to maintain this action.
A case of original jurisdiction.
Motion to quash denied.
P. O. Knight and J. L. Doggeit, for Relator;
Dozier A. DoVanp and P. H. Odom-, City Attorney of Jaesonvillc, fur Respondents.
RTATEMEXT.
An alternative writ of mandamus was issued by this court as follows:
“IN THE NAME AND BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE ELATE OK FLORIDA, To IÍ. Hudson Burr, Newton A. Rlitcli and Royal O. Dunn, as Railroad Commissioners of the State of Florida:
“Whereas, it has been suggested to us that the relator herein, E. J. Triay, is the Receiver of the Jacksonville Traction Company, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Massachusetts, which has an office and operates the system of street railways in the City of Jacksonville, County of Duval, State of Florida, and territory contiguous tlieieto; and that the Jacksonville Traction Company is a railroad company and common carrier of passengers, within the meaning of the Railroad Commission Act of the State of Florida; that the property of the Jacksonville Traction Company consists of a' standard guage railroad track of about sixty-four and fourteen hundredths (64.14) miles, with the franchises and all of the necessary power stations, cars, equipment, and appurtenances for the opreation and maintenance thereof; and that the Jackson ville Traction Company also operates a line of railway about five miles in length owned by the Duval County Traction Company, which is likewise a Massachusetts corporation, which line is operated by the Jacksonville Traction Company as lessee, and all of the capital stock of the said Duval County Traction Company is likewise owned by the Jacksonville Traction Company; that said line of railway is, and has been- for years, operated as a common carrier of passengers,' not only in the City of Jacksonville, but in the territory contiguous thereto; that the total outstanding capital stock of the traction company consists of ten thousand shares of common stock of the par value of one hundred dollars a share, and five thousand shares of cumulative, sis per cent, preferred stock, of the par value of one hundred dollars, making a total outstanding capital stock at par of one million, five hundred thousand dollars, of which one million dollars is comonm stock and five hundred thousand dollars is preferred stock; that the total outstanding bonded indebtedness of the traction company, secured by mortgages upon its franchise and properties above described, including bonds issued and assumed, amounts to two million, two hundred and ninety-eight thousand, five hundred dollars, consisting of one million, fifty-three thousand five hundred dolíais of first consolidated mortgage, twenty-year gold bonds, due March 1, 1931, bearing interest at the rate of five per cent, per annum, payable March 1st and Repiember 1st at the office of the State Street Trust Company of Boston, ‘Massachusetts, trustee, and one million, two hundred and forty-five thousand dollars of first mortgage, twenty-five year, five per cent, gold bonds of Jacksonville Electric Company, the predecessor of the Jacksonville Traction Company, due May 1, 1927, interest payable May 1st and November 1st, at tlie office of the American Trust Company of Boston, Massachusetts, trustee, said 'first mortgage bonds having been issued by the Jacksonville Electric Company and are a first mortgage on property now owned by the Jacksonville Traction Company, and assumed by it. Of said one million and fifty-three thousand dollars of consolidated mortgage bonds outstanding, one hundred and twelve thousand and five hundred dollars are pledged as collateral for ninety thousand dollars of notes of the Du-val County Traction Company, hereinafter referred to, and fifty-six thousand, five hundred dollars are held in the treasury of the Jacksonville Traction Company; that the floating indebtedness of the Jacksonville Traction Company is approximately one million and ninety-five thousand dollars, consisting of seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars of two-year, six per cent, gold coupon notes, which became due March 1, 1919, and three hundred thousand dollars of notes payable chiefly to various banks, and including ninety thousand dollars of notes of the Duval County Traction Company endorsed by the Jacksonville Traction Company and by the firm of Stone & Webster, of Avhich notes five thousand dollars is payable on demand, and the balance of two hundred and ninety-five thousand dollars is payable at various dates, beginning on November 26, 1919. In addition to which there is a very material current general indebtedness of the company; and, in addition there will be due on April 1, 1920, State and county taxes amounting to about thirty-nine thousand dollars.
“That the seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars of coupon notes became due and payable March 1, 1919, and that the Jacksonville Traction Company was without means to pay the same, and that default Avas made on said date in the payment of said notes and in the pay ment of the semi-annual interest thereon, due on said date, and that said coupon notes, together with interest thereon from September 1, 1918, are now over-due and unpaid; that of the three hundred thousand dollars of other notes payable to various ..banks, including the five thousand dollar note payable on demand, the time of maturity thereof began on November 26, 1919; that the Jacksonville Traction Company was without means to pay any of said notes, and is without means to pay any of them as and when they become due, and that default will be made in the payment of all of them; that there was due and payable November 1, 1919, the semi-annual interest on said bonds of the Jacksonville Electric Company, amounting to thirty-one thousand one hundred and twenty-five dollars ($31,125),- and that the Jacksonville Traction Company, being without means to pay the interest and in order that there might not be any default, so as to enable the holders of the bonds to institute foreclosure proceedings, the receiver, relator herein, applied to the United States Court for the Southern District of Florida for an order to issue receive’s certificates to borrow the necessary amount of money to pay said interest, so as to prevent said default, and tifie necessary order having been made by the court, the relator was able to borrow money upon such receiver’s certificates to pay the interest on said bonds and prevent default thereof.
. “That the Jacksonville Traction Company is operating its lines of railway within the city of Jacksonville under and by virtue of the provisions of an ordinance, No. 1-67, passed by the city council of the city of Jacksonville on the 15th day of January, 1907, and approved on the 26th day thereof, and that, among other things, it is provided in section five (5) of said ordinance that the fare to be charged by it for a continuous passage from any point within the city limits to any other point within the city limits, on the lines of its said railways, shall not exceed five cents, and that free transfer tickets shall be given to passenger paying a five cent fare and accepted for carriage at intersecting points on the lines of the street railway or any other lines of street railway for the purpose of enabling them to make one continuous passage over the most direct route or routes.
“Further, that it is provided in section eight (8) of said ordinance that where streets are to be paved the traciL-n company shall lay and maintain its tracks so as to conform to the surface of said streets, and when the city shall pave such streets, or parts thereof, said company shall pave the space between the rails and tracks ami for two feet on each side thereof.
“That it is further provided in section four (I) of said ordinance that the traction company shall pay to the city of -Jacksonville from and after the taking effect of the said ordinance, as a burden imposed by the ordinance and a condition and consideraiion therefor, and as a condition and consideration of the franchise, rights and privileges granted and confirmed by said ordinance, three per cent, of the gross earnings of- all the street railway lines in the city of Jacksonville, held, acquired, constructed or operated by the traction company, which shall Ik* paid in quarter-yearly installments, and this in addition to all other taxes imposed by law.
“That the Jacksonville Traction Company operates all of the lines of electric railway in the city of Jacksonville and territory contiguous thereto, and that there is no other system of electric railway or street railway in the city of Jacksonville and territory contiguous thereto except that of the Jacksonville Traction Company.
“That the financial results of the operation of the lines of railway herein referred to during the year 1918 showed gross earnings of nine hundred and forty-five thousand dollars ($945,000), operating expenses of six hundred and thirty-eight thousand, three hundred and thirty-six dollars and nineteen cents. ($638,336.19), taxes of seventy-one thousand, three hundred and thirty dollars and sixty-five cents ($71,330.65), interest charges of one hundred and seventy-five thousand, eight hundred and twenty-four dollars and ninety-five cents ($175,824.95), bond sinking fund of twenty-three thousand, two hundred and forty-one dollars and sixty-seven cents ($23,241.67), leaving a loss for the year, without taking into consideration any return to the owners of the property upon their money invested. As compared with the earnings for the year 1914, the gross earnings increased two hundred and thirty thousand, three hundred and thirteen dollars and seventy-three cents ($230,313.73), or thirty-two per cent (32%), while the net balance decreased fifty-seven thousand, seven .hundred and twenty-two dollars and ninety-three cents ($57,722.93), or sixty-one per cent. (61%); and such condition was brought about .by an abnormal increase almost entirely in the cost, of labor and materials necessary in the operation of the company, said total increase of expenses being two hundred and twenty thousand, eight hundred and forty-five dollars and twenty-one cents ($220,845.21); that oir September 27, 1918, it became necessary for the company to make a large increase in wages, and that if wages had been paid during the whole of the year of 1918 at such increased rate, the result of the year’s operation would have shown a tremendous deficit; that the said wage scale is now in force and effect as a necessnrv item of expense in the operation of said railway, and will continue in effect; that the price of materials, instead of being reduced, is constantly being increased; and that the cost of operation of the railways operated by the traction company has largely’ increased instead of being decreased since the year 1918; that the rate of fare which the traction company is by said ordinance permitted to charge has not been increased, with the result that the operations of the company for the year 1919 show the gross receipts to be $1,024,527.03.
Operating expenses, $835,875.14
Taxes, 93,268.41
Interest charges, 174,965.80
Bond sinking fund, 24,271.66
Thus making a loss for the year 1919 of One Hundred and Three Thousand eight hundred and fifty-three and 98/100 dollars, ($103,853.98), without any provision for depreciation, up-keep, or obsolescence, or without any return whatever to the owners of the property for the money invested in the same. That the said company, being operated at a loss, its credit being impaired, so that it was unable to meet its obligations as they matured, or to provide the funds necessary for proper additions, betterments and improvements to its properties which were required to enable it to properly carry on its railway business, either through the borrowing of additional capital or from the earnings or income of its property, or otherwise, the traction company, on January 7, 1919, filed with the city council of the city of Jacksonville a petition asking that the said franchise ordinance should be so amended as to enable it to increase its rate of fare ; that in order to verify its statements as to its financial condition and its earnings, as set forth in the petition, the city council appointed as auditors the firm of Muck-low & Ford to examine its books and other data and to report to said city council; that said firm, who are well known and competent auditors doing business in the city of Jacksonville, made a complete and thorough examination lasting for several months and submitted a report showing that the earnings of the traction company for the year 1918 amounted to fifty thousand dollars less than its operating expenses and the payments for taxes and interest, without making any provision for depreciation, renewals or obsolescence, or without providing any return to the owners of the property upon their investment; and that if existing conditions continued it would be impossible for the traction company to continue its operations; that in view of the situation as shown by said report, the city council, on August 22, 1919, passed an ordinance so amending the franchise of the traction company as to authorize it to increase its rate of fare to seven cents for a period of two years and giving to the city of Jacksonville thereafter the right to regulate the passenger rates, which right it does not now have; that under the charter of the city of Jacksonville it was necessary that said ordinance be submitted to the people of said city for ratification or rejection;, it was so submitted at a'special election held on October 21, 1919, but the same was defeated.
“That, believing that the people of Jacksonville would grant the relief to the traction company that it was entitled to, the various creditors of the company refrained from instituting any proceedings against it pending said action being taken before the city council of the city of Jacksonville; but almost immediately thereafter, to-wit, on the 30th day of October, 1919, the General Electric Company filed a general creditor’s bill against the Jacksonville Traction Company in the United States Court for the Southern District of Florida, and praying, among other things, for the appointment of a receiver, and on the same date the judge of said court-appointed the relator herein as receiver of the property of the Jacksonville Traction Company; that he immediatley qualified as such receiver, took immediate possession thereof, and has been operating said property ever since said time; that, as before stated said relator was compelled to borrow, upon receiver’s certificates, the necessary amount of money to pay the interest on some of the bonds due on the 1st of November, 1919; and that since his appointment as receiver various petitions of intervention by other creditors have been filed in said mentioned proceedings, and that he has recently been advised by the city officials of the city of Jacksonville of the passage of an ordinance requiring the paving and re-paving of numerous streets upon which are located lines of railway operated by the traction company; and that in compliance' with the requirements of the ordinance above alluded to, he is informed that the paving charges will amount to approximately one-half million dollars,, upon the part of the traction company.
“That the tracks and the construction thereof, and the power houses, poles, lines, rolling stock, machinery and equipment of the Jacksonville Traction Company are, and have been of the best, and that no more modern machinery or equipment- can be purchased or installed for the purpose of having a more economical operation of affairs; that the examination by the relator of the operations of the company for the past two years is such as that he avers that the operations of the company have been carried on as economically as possible; and that he is satisfied, from his examination of the situation, and from the operations of the company since he has had charge of it as an officer of the United States Court, that it is utterly impossible to operate the same upon a five cent fare; that being of this opinion, and further, that it being the duty of the Railroad Commissioners of the State of Florida to make reasonable rates and passenger tariffs to be observed by all railroad, railroad companies, and common carriers, doing business in this State, and that the situation in the instant case was such as that it was the duty of the Railroad Commissioners to prescribe reasonable rates for the carriage of passengers of the property that the relator has in charge, and that, under- the facts, it was its duty to grant the Jacksonville Traction Company the relief that it was entitled to, the' relator applied to the United States Court for the Southern District of Florida for permission to apply to the Railroad Commissioners of the State of Florida -for the relief that the Jacksonville Traction Company was entitled to, and on the 12th day of January, 1920, the United States Judge made an order authorizing and directing said relator to apply to the Railroad Commissioners for the necessary relief; that, in pursuance of said order made by the United States Court, the relator did, on the 19th day of January, 1920, apply, in the city of Tallahassee, to the Honorable Railroad Commissioners of the State of Florida for the necessary relief, setting forth in his petition all of the statements hereinbefore and hereinafter contained, and in addition thereto attaching to the petition directed to the said Railroad Commissioners for relief a copy of the ordinance under which the Jacksonville Traction Company is operating; a copy of the bill of complaint under which the relator herein, was appointed receiver of the property of the Jacksonville Traction Company; a copy, of the order appointing the relator as receiver; a copy of the report made by the auditors as to the financial condition of the company and of its operations for the year 1918, and a copy of the ordinance passed by the city council amending the franchise of the traction company so as to increase its fare from five' cents to seven cents; but, after a hearing upon sai'd matter, although, under the statutes of this State it is the duty of the Railroad Commissioners to make reasonable rates for the carriage of passengers by all railroads, railroad companies and common carriers, and, although, under the facts as stated hereinbefore and hereinafter, which were stated in said petition presented to the said Railroad Commissioners, it was their duty to grant the relief- prayed for, the Railroad Commissioners, upon a hearing on the petition filed with them,, to-wit, on the 19th day of January, 1920, held that they had no jurisdiction over the subject-matter contained in said petition, and for said reason denied the same.
“That the earnings of the company are insufficient to pay the unsecured indebtedness or interest on the same, or its operating expenses, or to provide for depreciation, up-ke'ep or obsolescence, or any return to the owners of the property for the moneys invested; and that, although the relator is well satisfied, from an examination he has made of the situation, that the physical venue of the property, outside of any element of good will or franchise value, amounts in dollars and cents, to far more than all of the indebtedness, stock and securities of the company, yet, by reason of the fact that the fare is utterly inadequate to enable the company to carry on its operations and keep on as a going concern, its credit .is such as that it Is unable to fund its unfunded indebtedness or to pay the same, and the relator is satisfied and avers it to be a fact that, unless: the- fare is. immediately and without delay increased so as to enable it to pay' its operating expenses and to have a sufficient sum of money to make renewals, provide for obsolescence and depreciation, and to carry on its operations so as to enable it to fund its unfunded indebtedness, or to pay the same, the United States Court will not permit, for an indefinite time, the borrowing of money upon receiver’s certificates to pay the interest on the bonded and other indebtedness to prevent default in the same, and in consequence thereof the holders of the bonds will institute foreclosure proceedings, and, when carried to a conclusion, the property will be sold and dismembered, the people of Jacksonville and of the territory contiguous thereto be deprived of, the only means of.railway passenger transportation that they have, and the creditors and the stockholders without any relief-whatsoever; and that it is imperative, in order that said, transportation system may be' maintained for the benefit of the public, that it may be kept going as a going concern, and not dismembered, and that the stockholders and creditors and owners of the property may be protected, that this honorable court assume original jurisdiction of said petition and of the matters therein contained, and immediately issue an alternative writ directed to the Railroad Commissioners of the State of Florida, commanding them without delay to perform their statutory duty of fixing just and reasonable rates for the carriage of passengers on the railway lines operated by the relator, and not force the relator to apply for this relief through the lower courts with the fatal delay incident to the pursuit of such a course. That the relief required the'relator must have now. That a few weeks’ delay may be fatal to this entire situation.
“That the relator is entirely without remedy in the premises unless it is afforded by the interposition of this honorable court by writ of mandamus; and praying that •a writ of mandamus be issued against the Honorables R. Hudson Burr, Newton A. Blitch and Royal C. Dunn, as Railroad Commissioners of the State of Florida, commanding and requiring them to immediately take jurisdiction of the petition before mentioned and presented to them requesting an increase in fare for the carriage of passengers, and that they perform their statutory duty of fixing just and reasonable rates for the carriage of passengers by the Jacksonville Traction Company being operated by the relator as receiver.
“NOW, THEREFORE, we being willing that full and speedy justice shall be done in the premises, do command that you, the said R. Hudson Burr, Newton A. Blitch and Royal C. Dunn, as an constituting the Railroad Commissioners of the State of Florida, immediately take jurisdiction of the petition before mentioned and presented to you requesting an increase in fare for the carriage of passengers, and that you perform your statutory duty of fixing just and reasonable rates for the carriage of pas-" sengers by the Jacksonville Traqtion Company being- operated by the relator as receiver, or that you appear before us as Justices of the Supreme Court of the State of Florida, at Tallahassee, on the 5th day of February, A. D. 1920, at 10 o’clock In the forenoon, to show cause why you should refuse so to do.
(SEAT;)
WITNESS the Honorable Jefferson B. Browne, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Florida and the Seal of said Court at Tallahassee, this 20th' day of January, A. D. 1920.
G. T. Whitfield,
Clerk Supreme Court, State of Florida.”
The order of the Railroad Commissioners is as follows:
“ORDER NO. 683,
FILE, NO. 4097.
“BEFORE THE RAILROAD COMMISSIONERS OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA.
In the Matter of the Application of E. J. Triay, Receiver of the Jacksonville Traction Company for the Railroad Commissioners to fix and establish fares and charges for said Company.
“In the above matter the Railroad Commissioners of the State of Florida have been petitioned by E. J. Triay as Receiver of the Jacksonville Traction Company, to assume jurisdiction over the rates, fares, charges and practices of the said Jacksonville Traction Company, and to authorize an increase in its rates and fares in Jacksonville, Florida. The matter came on for hearing before the Railroad Commissioners on the 19th day of January, 1920, at 10 o’clock in the morning, at their offices in the city of Tallahassee, the Capital, and then and there appeared E. J. Triay, as aforesaid, J. L. Doggett and P. O. Knight, Attorneys for the Receiver. There also appeared P. H. Odom, City Attorney of Jacksonville, Florida, representing the city of Jacksonville in opposition to said petition. The Commissioners having heard all interested parties who desired to be heard took the said matter under advisement.
“And now on this date the said matter coming on for further consideration, and the Commissioners being fully advised in the premises, find and conclude that they have no jurisdiction over the subject matter contained in said petition.
“WHEREFORE/ it is CONSIDERED, ORDERED AND ADJUDGED by the Railroad Commissioners of the State of Florida, 'that the petition of E. J. Triay, Receiver of the Jacksonville Traction Company, this date filed, asking the Railroad Commissioners to fix and establish rates, fares and charges for said Company in Jacksonville, Florida, be arid the same is hereby denied for the reason above stated.
“DONE AND ORDERED by the Railroad Commissioners of the State of Florida, in session at their office in the City of Tallahassee, the Capital, this 19th day of January, A. D. 1920.
R: HUDSON BURR,
Chairman.”
Respondents filed the following motion to quash:
“Now comes R. Hudson Burr, Newton A. Blitch and Royal C. Dunn, as Railroad Commissioners of the State of Florida, by Dozier A. DeVane, Special Counsel, and P. H. Odom, City Attorney for Jacksonville, Florida, and moves the Court to quash the Alternative Writ of Mandamus issued in the above entitled cause on the 20th day of - January, 1920, and for ground for said motion assign the following:
“1st. No jurisdiction over the subject matter set forth in said Alternative Writ of Mandamus has been either .expressly or impliedly conferred upon the Railroad Commissioners of the State of Florida.
“2nd. That the Writ fails to show a clear prima facie case in the relator that entitles him to the relief prayed.”
The following constitutional ■ and statutory provisions have a bearing on' the ease: • '
“The Legislature is invested with, full power to pass laws for the correction of abuses and to prevent unjust discrimination and excessive charges by persons and corporations engaged as common carriers in -transporting persons.and property, or performing other services of a public nature; and shall provide for enforcing such laws by adequate penalties or forfeitures.” Sec. 30, Art. XVI, Constitution, 1885.
“The Legislature shall have power to establish and to abolish municipalities, to provide for their government, to prescribe their jurisdiction and powers, and to alter or amend the same at any time. When any municipality shall be abolished, provision shall be made for the protection of its creditors.” Sec. 8, Art VIII, Const.
“The Legislature shall establish a uniform system of county and municipal government, which shall be applicable, except in cases where local or special laws are provided by the Legislature that may be inconsistent therewith.” Sec. 24, Art. Ill, Const.
Chapter 4549, Acts of 1897, entitled “AN ACT to Provide for the Regulation of the Railroad Schedules, Freights, Express, Sleeping Car and Passengers’ Tariffs, and Building of Freight and Passenger Depots in This State; to Prevent Unjust Discrimination in the Rates Charged for the Transportation of Passengers and Freight, and to Prohibit Railroad .Companies, Corporations, Persons and All Common Carriers in This State from Charging Other Than a Just and Reasonable Rates, and to Enforce the S'ame; and to Prescribe a Mode of Procedure and Rules of Evidence in Relation Thereto; and to Provide for the Appointment and Election of Commissioners, and to Prescribe Their Duties and Powers,” contains: “Sec. 5. The provisions of this chapter shall apply to the transportation of passengers and property, and to the receiving, delivery, storage and handling of property wholly within this State, and shall apply to all railroad corporations and railroad companies engaged in this State in the transportation of passengers or property by railroads therein from any point within this State to any point within this State. The term ‘railroad’ as used in this act shall include all bridges and ferries used or operated In connection with any railroad operated wholly or in part within this State, and also all the road in use by any corporation, receiver, trustee or other person operating a railroad, whether operated under any contract agreement, lease or otherwise, and the terms ‘railroad corporation’ or ‘railroad company,’ as used in this act, shall be deemed and taken to mean all corporations or individuals, express companies and sleeping car companies included, now owning or operating, or which may hereafter own or operate any railroad in whole or in part in this State, and the provisions of this act shall apply to all persons, firms and companies', and to all associations of persons, whether incorporated or otherwise, that shall do business as common carriers upon any of the lines of railroads in this State (street railroads excepted) the same as to railroad corporations hereinbefore mentioned.”
Chapter 4700, Acts of 1899, entitled “AN ACT to Revise and Amend” Chapter 4549, with some additions to the title superseded Chapter 4549, Acts of 1897, and the provisions of Chapter 4700 were re-enacted as Sections 2882 to 2924, General Statutes of 1906.
■ Section 5, Chapter 4700, re-enacted as Sections 2890, 2891, and 2892, General Statutes, provides: “The provisions of this chapter shall apply to the transportation of passengers and property and to the receiving, delivery, storage and handling of property wholly within this State, and shall apply to all railroad corporations, railroad companies and common carriers engaged in this State in the transportation of passengers or property by the railroads, or common carriers therein, from any point within this State to any point within this State. The' term ‘railroad’ as used in this act shall include all bridges and ferries, used or operated in connection with any railroad operated wholly or in part in this State, all passenger terminal companies or union depot companies, whether operating train service or not; and also all the road in use by any corporation, receiver, trustee, or any other person operating a railroad, whether operated under any contract, agreement, lease or otherwise, and the term ‘railroad corporation or railroad company,’ as used in this act, shall be deemed to mean all corporations, associations, partnerships, trustees, agents, assignees and individuals; all express companies and sleepieng car companies included, now owning or operating, or which may hereafter own or operate any railroad in whole or in part in this State, or owning or operating any train or car service on any railroad in this State. Whenever any railroad company owns and operates in connection with its road, and for the purpose of transporting its cars, freight or passengers, any steamer or other water craft shall be deemed a part of its said road. The term ‘common carrier,’ as used in this Act, shall be deemed to mean and include: 1st. All companies and any person or persons owning and operating rairoads wholly or partly within this State. 2d. All companies and any person or persons owning and operating steamships engaged in the transportation of freight or passengers from and to ports within this State. 3d. All companies and any person or persons owning and operating steamboats used in the transportation of freight or passengers upon the rivers or inland waters of this State.' 4th. All companies and any person or persons owning or operating railroads, passenger terminals or union depots for the purpose of receiving, delivering' or transferring passenger traffic to and from the place or city in which said terminal or union depot may be situated, or to or from one or more of the railroads operating its train service into said terminal or depot from or to any other such railroad pr railroads; whenever any steamship or steamboat company owns and operates any barge, canal boat,, steam tug, ferry boat or lighter, in connection with its ships or boats, the thing so owned.and operated shall be deemed a part of its main line.” . .
Chapter 6527, Acts of 1913, entitled “AN ACT to Amend Sections 2890, 2891, 2893, 2894, 2896, 2899, 2900, 2901, 2903, 2904, 2905, 2908, 2910, 2914_, 2917, 2918 and 2924 of the General Statutes of this State Relating to the Railroad Commissioners and the Regulation of Common Carriers” contains among its provisions the following:
“2890. Application of Act. The provisions- of this Chapter shall apply to the transportation of passengers and property and to the receiving, delivering, storage and handling of property- wholly within this State and shall apply to all railroads, railroad--companies and common carriers engaged in this. State, in the transportation of passengers or property by railroads or common carriers therein from any point, within this State to any point within this State.”
“2891.' Definitions. The term 'railroad’ as used in this Chapter shall include all bridges and ferriés used or operated in connéction with any railroad, and also all the road in use by any corporation, .association, partnership, receiver,, trustees or any other person operating a railroad, whether owned or operated under a contract, agreement, lease or otherwise; also all switches, spurs, tracks and terminal facilitiés of every kind used or necessary in the transportation of persons or property; also all freight and passenger depots, yards and grounds used or necessary in the receiving, handling, transportation and delivery of passengers and freight; also all terminal companies or union depot companies, passenger or freight, whether operating train service or not. The term ‘railroad corporation’ or ‘railroad company’, as used in this Chapter shall be deemed to mean all corporations, associations, partnerships, receivers,, trustees or any. other persons now owning or operating or which may hereafter own or operate any railroad in whole or in part in this State or own or operate any express service or train, or car service, including sleeping car, parlor car and dining car service on any railroad in this State.” The definition of “common carrier” remains- as stated, in Chapter 4700, supra-. Sec. 2892, General Statutes, and Compiled Laws.
“2893. Powers and Duties of Commissioners. It shall be the duty of said Commissioners:
“1. To make reasonable and just rates of freight and passenger tariffs to be observed by all railroads, railroad companies and common carriers doing business in this State over their respective lines.
“12. To regulate all other matters pertaining to the receiving, handling, care, transportation and delivery of property, and to the safety, care, comfort, convenience, proper accommodation and transportation of passengers that shall be for the good of the public. The operation of this general grant or of any other • general grant of power in this chapter shall not be held to be limited by the grants of specific powers.
“13. To prescribe all rules and regulations appropriate for the execution of any of the powers conferred upon-them by law either in express terms or by implication,
■ * and all doubts as to their jurisdiction and powers shall be resolved in their favor, it being intended that the laws relative to the Railroad Commissioners shall be deemed remedial laws to be construed liberally to further the legislative intent to regulate and control public carriers in the public interest.”
“2899. To Furnish Corporations With Schedules of Just and Reasonable Rates. Said Commissioners shall make and furnish to each "common carrier doing business in this State, as soon as practicable, a printed or written schedule of just and reasonable rates and charges for transportation of freights, passengers and cars on its transportation line or lines under its control or management, and such schedule, certified by the Chairman of the Commissioner, shall be admitted in evidence without necessity for other proof, and shall in all suits brought against any common carrier wherein is involved the rates of any such common carrier for the transportation of freight of any description or charges for the transportation or use of any kind of car upon the tracks of any railroad or of any of the branches thereof, or for the transportation of any passenger or passengers, or for any unjust discrimination, in relation thereto, be deemed and taken in ¿11 the courts of this State as prima facie evidence that the rates fixed in such schedule or schedules are just and reasonable rates of charges for the transportation of freight, cars and passengers upon the transportation lines of said carrier and said Commissioners shall, as often as circumstances may require, change or revise any schedule or schedules and furnish; all common carriers doing business in this State with notice of such changes or revisions and such notice shall state the time when such changes of revisions-shall go into effect.” Secs. 2890, 2891, 2893, 2899, Compiled Laws of 1914.

Opinion:
Whitfield, J.
(After stating the facts) — The alternative writ of mandamus issued herein commands the Railroad Commossioners to fix just and reasonable rates for passengers on a street railroad in the city of Jacksonville, Florida, or to show cause for not doing so. On a motion to quash the alternative writ, it is in effect contended that under the law the tariff rates of transportation to be charged by the relator are fixed by an ordinance of the city of Jacksonville, and that the statutes of the State do not confer upon the Railroad Commissioners authority to make passenger rates for street railroads. It is appropriate that the city be heard in this proceeding, and its counsel joined in the motion to quash, and participated in the argument and has filed briefs. ' See City of Gainesville v. Gainesville Gas & Electric Power Co., 66 Fla. 404, 62 South. Rep. 919; Southern Public Utilities Co. v. City of Charlotte, - N. C.-, 101 S. E. Rep. 619; State ex rel. Indianapolis Traction Co. v. Lewis,--Ind.-120 N. E. Rep. 129.
When a tribunal refuses to exercise jurisdiction that it clearly possesses and ought to exercise, mandamus is the proper remedy to compel its exercise. State ex rel. Birmingham T. & S. Co. v. Reeves, 44 Fla. 179, 32 South. Rep. 814; Ex Parte Henderson, 6 Fla. 279; Anderson v. Brown, 6 Fla. 299; See also State ex rel. Lamson v. Baker, 25 Fla. 598, 6 South. Rep. 445; State v. Crawford, 28 Fla. 441, 10 South. Rep. 118; State ex rel. Colcord v. Young, 31 Fla. 594, 12 South. Rep. 673; State ex rel. Sanchez v. Call, 36 Fla. 305, 18 South. Rep. 771; State ex rel. Duke v. Wills, 49 Fla. 380, 38 South. Rep. 289; State ex rel. McKinnon v. Wolfe, 58 Fla. 523, 50 South. Rep. 511; State ex rel. Carter v. Sheats, 73 Fla. 176, 544, 74 South. Rep. 638, 641. See also 4 A. L. R. 582.
The Railroad Commissioners .are administrative officers having statutory powers and' duties; and when they decline to exercise authority or to perform duties conferred upon them by law, they may by mandamus, in the absence of other adequate remedy afforded by law, be required in proper cases duly presented to proceed with the performance of their duties. In such cases the command is to proceed to exercise their authority and discretion.
Municipalities may exercise only such powers as are clearly conferred upon them by the express or implied provisions of law; and all doubts as to the existence of a power in a municipality is resolved against the city. Malone v. City of Quincy, 66 Fla. 52, 62 South. Rep. 922; State ex rel. Ellis v. Tampa Water Works Co., 56 Fla. 858, 47 South. Rep. 358, 19 L. R. A. (N. S.) 183; 1 Dillon Munc. Corp. (5th Ed.) Sec. 237; 28 Cyc. 265. This rule was applicable to statutes conferring authority upon the Railroad Commissioners until the enactment of Chapter 6527, Acts of 1913, which provides that "the laws relative to the Railroad Commissioners shall be deemed remedial laws to be construed liberally" and that "all doubts as to their jurisdiction and powers shall be-resolved in their favor." Sec. 2893 Comp. Laws, 1914; State ex rel. Burr v. Jacksonville Terminal Co., 71 Fla. 295, 71 South. Rep. 474; State ex rel. Railroad Com'rs. v. Atlantic Coast Line R. Co., 60 Fla. 465, 54 South. Rep. 394; State ex rel. Railroad Com'rs. v. Southern Tel. & Const. Co., 65 Fla. 270, 61 South. Rep. 506; State ex rel. Railroad Com'rs. v. Louisville & N. R. Co., 57 Fla. 526, 49 South. Rep. 124.
"That a city has no power to regulate rates of this character unless it has legislative authority so to do is established, and does not seem to be disputed. Indepently of a right to regulate and control the rates to be charged for public service reserved in a grant of a franchise or right to use the city streets, a city or other municipality has no power to regulate the rates to be charged by public service corporations in the absence of express or plain legislative authority to do so. 3 Dillon on Municipal Corporation (5th Ed.) Sec. 1325. Nor does such authority arise from the power to regulate the opening and use of streets, nor a grant of the general right to control and regulate the right to erect works in the streets of the city. State v. Missouri & K Telephone Co., 189 Mo. 83, 88 S. W. Rep. 41; Jacksonville v. Southern Bell & Tel. Co., 57 Fla., 374, 49 South. Rep. 509; Lewisville Natural Gas Co. v. State, 135 Ind. 49, 34 N. E. Rep. 702, 21 L. R. A. 734; Mills v. Chicago (C. C.) 127 Fed. Rep. 731; State v. Sheboygan, 111 Wis. 23, 86 N. W. Rep. 657." City of Winchester v. Winchester Water Works Co.,-U. S. -, 40 Sup. Ct. Rep. 123.
Where it is doubtful whether a statute authorizes a municipality to fix rates for a public utility company, such doubt must be resolved against the authority of the city. Milwaukee Electric Ry. & Light Co. v. Railroad Commission of Wisconsin, 238 U. S. 174, 35 Sup. Ct. Rep; 820; Home Telephone & Telegraph Co., v. City of Los Angeles, 211 U. S. 265, text 273, 29 Sup. Ct. Rep. 50; City of Jacksonville v. Southern Bell Telephone & Telegraph Co., 57 Fla. 374, 49 South. Rep. 509; State Public Utilities Commission v. City of Quincy,- Ill. 125 N. E. Rep. 374; Puget Sound Traction Co. v. Reynolds, 244 U. S. 574, - Sup. Ct. Rep. -; In re. Searport Water Co., - Me.--, 108 Atl. Rep. 452; 248 U. S. 294.
Even if authority is by statute given to. a municipality to fix rates for a public service corporation operating therein, such authority is .subject to legislative action. Section 30, Article XVI; City of Tampa v. Tampa Water Work Co., 45 Fla. 600, 34 South. Rep. 631, affirmed in 199 U. S. 241, 26 Sup. Ct. Rep. 23. See also Section 8, Article VIII of the Constitution; Gainesville Gas & Electric Power Co. v. City of Gainesville, 63 Fla. 425, 58 South. Rep. 785; City of Manitowoc v. Manitowoc & Northern Traction Co., 145 Wis. 13, 129 N. W. Rep. 925; City of Pawhuska v. Pawhuska Oil & Gas Co. 250 U. S. -, 39 Sup. Ct. Rep. 526.
If there is a general law conferring upon municipalities authority to fix rates for street railroads and also a special law conferring a similar power upon a particular city, being inconsistent with the general law, the special or local law prevails as to the city to which it applies. Sec. 24, Art. Ill Const.; Sanders v. Howell, 73 Fla. 563, 74 South. Rep. 802; Ferguson v. McDonald, 66 Fla. 494, 63 South. Rep. 915.
The provisions of Chapter 4052, Laws of Florida, a general law entitled "An Act providing for the forfeiture of franchises," etc., re-enacted as Sections 1024-8, General Statutes of 1906, relate to forfeitures of franchises and do not purport to confer upon municipalities authority to fix rates or even to grant franchises to public .utility corporations, therefore, that statute does not authorize municipalities to fix tariff rates for street railroad's.
Chapter 4859, Acts of 1899, Section 1016, General Statutes of 1906, limits to 30 years the "term" for which a municipality may grant a franchise or right to use the streets of the municipality for stated purposes, and it does not expressly or by implication confer a right to fix street car fares.
By its charter the city of Jacksonville is given the "power by ordinance * to grant the right of way through the streets, avenues and squares of said city for the purpose of street or other railroads." Sec. 4, Chap. 3775, Acts 1887, pp. 166-7.
The provisions of Chapter 5347, Acts of 1903, amending the charter of the city of Jacksonville, do not confer upon the city authority to fix rates: of fares for street railroads, though it doe's confer power with reference to the use of the streets and viaducts by street railroads.
Any contract ordinance passed' by the city with statutory authority fixing by agreement street car fares, as an incident to the granting of franchises to a street railroad company, 'is subject to legislative control. City of Tampa v. Tampa Water Works Co., supra. See also State ex rel. Ellis v. Atlantic Coast Line R. R. Co., 52 Fla. 646, 662, 41 South. Rep. 705, 12 L. R. A. (N. S.) 506; Southern Public Utilities Co. v. City of Charlotte, supra; Producers Transportation Co. v. Railroad Commission of the State of California, -U. S.-,-Sup. Ct. Rep. -, L. R. A. (Ed. Feb'y 1st, 1920, p. 166); State ex rel. Indianapolis Traction & Terminal Co. v. Lewis, supra; City of St. Louis v. Public Service Commission of Missouri,-Mo.-, 207 S. W. Rep. 709; City of Memphis v. Enloe, - Tenn. -, 214 S. W. Rep. 71; Robertson v. Wilmington & P. Traction Co., - Del. -, 104 Atl. Rep. 839; Westinghouse Electric & Mfg. Co. v. Binghampton Ry. Co., 255 Fed. Rep. 378; Salt Lake City v. Utah L. & T. Co.,-Utah-, 173 Pac. Rep. 556, P. U. R, 1918F 377, 3 A. L. R. 715 and note; 153 Wis. 592; 168 N. W. 481; 173 Pac. 799; 118 N. E. 531.
All regulations and contracts relative to transportation rates for common carriers, whether made by legislative authority or otherwise, are subject to a proper exercise of the police power of the State, under which power such rates may from time to time be increased or reduced or otherwise regulated as the interests- of the public and the organic property? rights ¡of the carriers may require. The inherent and reserved power of the State cannot be abrogated by legislative enactment. State Pub. Util. Comm. v. City of Quincy,- Ill. -, 125 N. E. Rep. 374; Union Dry Goods Co. v. Georgia Public Service Corp. 248 U. S. 372,- Sup. Ct. Rep. —. See also Chicago & A. R. Co. v. Tranbarger, 238 U. S. 67, 35 Sup. Ct. Rep. 678; Mill Creek Coal & Coke Co. v. Public Service Corp., - W. Va. —, 100 S. E. Rep. 557; Black v. New Orleans Ry. & Light Co., — La.-, 82 South. Rep. 81; Atlantic Coast Line R. Co. v. City of Goldsboro, North Carolina, 232 U. S. 548, 34 Sup. Ct. Rep. 364; Portland Ry., Light & Power Co. v. Railroad Commission of Oregon, 229 U. S. 397, 33 Sup. Ct. Rep. 820; Chicago & A. R. Co. v. Tranbarger, 238 U. S. 67, 35 Sup. Ct. Rep. 678; Manigault v. Springs, 199 U. S. 473, 26 Sup. Ct. Rep. 127; 6 R. C. L. p. 190; Denver & South. Platte Ry. Co. v. Englewood, 62 Col. 229, P. U. R. 1916E, 134, 161 Pac. Rep. 151, 4 A. L. R. 956; 4 A. L. R, 730.
Section 30, Article XVI of the State Constitution, expressly recognizes and does not limit the power of the Legislature to' enact laws for the regulation and control of rates charged by common' carriers; and the power may be exercised notwithstanding statutory or municipal regulations or private contracts that may have been made with reference to such rates. State ex rel. Railroad Com'rs. v. Florida East Coast R. Co., 57 Fla. 522, 49 South. Rep. 43; City of Tampa v. Tampa Water Works Co., 45 Fla. 600, 34 South. Rep. 631, affirmed in 199 U. S. 241, 26 Sup. Ct. Rep. 23; State ex rel. Lamar v. Jacksonville Terminal Co., 41 Fla. 377, 27 South. Rep. 225.
Under Section 8, Article VIII of the Constitution, set out in the statement, the jurisdiction and powers conferred by statute upon municipalities may be altered or amended at any time by the Legislature.
The alternative writ alleges, and the motion to quash admits, that "the Jacksonville Traction Company is operating its lines of railway within the City of Jacksonville under and by virtue of the provisions of an ordinance No. 1-67, passed by the City Council of the City of Jacksonville on the 15th day of January, 1907, and approved on the 26th day thereof, and that, among other things, it is provided in Section five (5) of said ordinance that the fare to be charged by it for a continuous passage from any point within the city limits to any other point within the city limits, on the lines of its said railways, shall not exceed five cents."
This ordinance, if otherwise effective as between the parties, is not controlling as against the State acting through any authorized government agency to effectuate its inherent power that is expressly recognized by the provisions of Section 30, Article XW, of the Constitution, as interpreted in the City of Tampa v. Tampa Water Works Co., supra. See also City of Manitowoc v. Manitowoc & Northern Traction Co., supra.
The question here presented is not whether under Section 30, Article XVI, of the Constitution, the Legislature may authorize a municipality to prescribe rates for a public utility service in disregard of the rights of the company in rates that had been fixed by contract between a public utility company and a municipality, as in City of Tampa v. Tampa Water Works Co., 45 Fla. 600, 34 South. Rep. 631, affirmed an 199 U. S. 241, 26 Sup. Ct. Rep. 23.
But the question here is whether the Railroad' Commissioners, a governmental agency, if authorized by statute to do so, may, at the instance of a public utility compcmy, be required to proceed with the exercise of their authority dn prescribing rates for the company's public service in disregard of a rate that has been fixed by contract between a municipality and the public utility company. Can the State waive or surrender the rights of a municipality and of the public in rates for service rendered by a public utility company, where such rates have been fixed by an ordinance in granting franchises to the public utility company ? The State in its sovereignty authoritatively represents the public and it controls its municipalities; therefore the rights of the public and' of municipalities in rates charged by. public utility corporations are subject to control and disposition by the governing power of the State. See Note 3 A. L. R. 730, 742; City of Pawhuska v. Pawhuska Oil & Gas Co., 250 U. S.-, 39 Sup. Ct. Rep. 526; Dubuque Electric Co. v. City of Dubuque, 260 Fed. Rep. 353. See also State ex rel. Moodie v. Bryan, 50 Fla. 293, text 358, 39 South. Rep. 929; Boise City v. Boise Artesian Hot & Cold Water Co., 230 U. S. 84, 33 Sup. Ct. Rep. 997; Leiper v. B. & P. R. Co. 262 Pa. 328; 102 Alt. 901, 105 Atl. 209; 104 Atl. 839; 210 S. W. 381; 255 Fed. 295; 224 Mass. 463, 196 U. S. 539; 207 U. S. 161; 108 Atl. 452; 459.
Unless the State by constitutional provision (as is the case in this State) or by other reservation duly made, retains the right to change rates for public service fairly and reasonably made by a duly authorized and valid contract between a public utility company, and a municipality, the obligation of the contract cannot in general be lawfully impaired by subsequent legislation in so far as it injures contract rights of the company that have not been waived or in any way terminated. See Detroit United Railway v. City of Detroit, 242 U. S. 238, - Sup. Ct. Rep.-; Vicksburg v. Vicksburg Water Works Co., 206 U. S. 496, 27 Sup. Ct. Rep. 762; Home Telephone & Telegraph Co. v. City of Los Angeles, 211 U. S. 265, 29 Sup. Ct. Rep. 50; Cleveland v. Cleveland City R. Co., 194 U. S. 517, 24 Sup. Ct. Rep. 756. See also Von Hoffman v. City of Quincy, 4 Wallace (U. S.) 535; Vicksburg v. Vicksburg Water Works Co. 202 U. S. 453, 26 Sup. Ct. Rep. 660; Sioux City St. Ry. Co. v. Sioux City, 132 U. S. 98, 11 Sup. Ct. Rep. 226. As to the rights of the city and of the public, in contract rates, where .the State has not interposed its authortity, see Columbus Railway, Power & Light Co. v. City of Columbus, 249 U. S. 399, — Sup. Ct. Rep. -; Miami Gas Co. v. Highleyman, 77 Fla. 523, 81. South. Rep. 775; City of Manitowoc v. Manitowoc & Northern Traction Co., 145 Wis. 13, 129 N. W. Rep. 925. But the rights of the municipality and of the public under the contract are subject to governmental control; and such rights of the municipality and of the public ma.y be modified or waived or surrendered by law. See City of Pawhuska v. Pawhuska Oil & Gas Co., supra; Dubuque Electric Co. v. City of Dubuque, supra. The constitution protects lawful and valid contract rights of private parties against illegal impairment by legislation; but the organic law, State or Federal, does not forbid legislative control of the rights of the public in the rates to be charged by common carriers, even though such rates may be fixed by contract between the carrier and a municipality. If the contract rights of a public service corporation as to tariff rates are subject to the fair exercise of the police power of the State and Section 30, Article XYI, of the State Constitution, certainly the rights of municipalities and of the public in such rates are subject to the police puwer of the State and to stated organic provisions and to statutes enacted thereunder. See Conery v. New Orleans Water Works Co., 142 U. S. 79, 12 Sup. Ct. Rep. 142; Hunter v. City of Pittsburg, 207 U. S. 161, text 179, 28 Sup. Ct. Rep. 40; City of Worcester v. Worcester Con-sol. St. R. Co., 196 U. S. 539, 25 Sup. Ct. Rep. 327; City of Springfield v. Springfield St. R. Co., 182 Mass. 41, 64 N. E. Rep. 577; Sec. 8 Art. 8, Constitution.
In the absence of express organic limitations, 'the police power of the State may be exercised in making just and reasonable rates to be charged by common carriers for the transportation of passengers and property; and all private contracts for such transportation in so far as they affect public rights, are in law made subject to a proper exercise of the police power of the State •within organic limitations. Chicago, Burlington & Quincy R. R. Co. v. Iowa, 94 U. S. 155; Union Dry Goods Co. v. Georgia Public Service Corporation, 248 U. S. 372,-Sup. Ct.-; Louisville & N. R. Co. v. Mottley, 219 U. S. 467, 31 Sup. Ct. Rep. 265; Producers v. Railroad Com'rs. — U. S. —, 40 Sup. Ct. Rep. 131. The organic law of this State contemplates the exercise of this power. Sec. 30, Art. XVI, Constitution; City of Tampa v. Tampa Water Works Co., 45 Fla. 600, 34 South. Rep. 631, affirmed in 199 U. S. 241, 26 Sup. Ct. Rep. 23; Reeder on Validity of Rate Regulations, Sec. 196. See also City of Gainesville v. Gainesville Gas & Electric Power Co., 65 Fla. 404, 62 South. Rep. 919.
Where full legislative authority is clearly conferred and there is no reservation of power in the organic law, and pursuant thereto a municipality enters into a reasonable and valid contract with a public utility company for the rendering of service to the public at stated rates, such contract rates may be secured to the company under organic law against violation by the State. Minneapolis v. Minneapolis St. R. Co., 215 U. S. 417, 30 Sup. Ct. Rep. 118; Vicksburg v. Vicksburg Water Works Co., 206 U. S. 496, text 508, 27 Sup. Ct. Rep. 762. See also City of Owensboro v. Cumberland Telephone & Telegraph Co., 230 U. S. 58, 33 Sup. Ct. Rep. 988. But where the city does not have full and clearly conferred authority to make a binding contract with a public utility company as to rates charged, the public, (Rogers Park Water Co. v. Fergus, 180 U. S. 624, 21 Sup. Ct. Rep. 490; City of Jacksonville v. Southern Bell Telephone & Telegraph Co., 57 Fla. 374, 49 South. Rep. 509), or where the organic law reserves to the State the right at any time to regulate rates charged by public utilities (Tampa Water Works Co. v. Tampa, 199 U. S. 241, 26 Sup. Ct. Rep. 23; City of Tampa v. Tampa Water Works Co., 45 Fla. 600, 34 South. Rep. 631; Sioux City St. Ry. Co. v. Sioux City, supra; San Antonio Traction Co. v. Algelt, 200 U. S. 304, 26 Sup. Ct. Rep. 261; Puget Sound Traction, Light & Power Co. v. Reynolds, 244 U. S. 574, - Sup. Ct. Rep.; Knoxville Water Co. v. Knoxville, 189 U. S. 434, 23 Sup. Ct. Rep. 531.) the State, in the exercise of its police powei', may reduce or increase the rates without reference to and Independently of. and notwithstanding the ordinance contract or rights thereunder claimed by the company or by the municipality or the public, when justice and the general welfare demands it. See Union Dry Goods Co. v. Georgia Public Service Corporation, 248 U. S. 372, - Sup. Ct. Rep. -; State ex rel. Indianapolis Traction & Terminal Co. v. Lewis,-Ind. -, 120 N. E. Rep. 129; Southern Public Utilities Co. v. City of Charlotte,-N. C.-, 101 S. E. Rep. 619; Salt Lake City v. Utah L. & T. Co., - Utah -, P. U. R, 1918F, 377, 173 Pac. Rep. 556, 3 A. L. R. 715 and Note; United States v. Uncle Sam Oil Co., 234 U. S. 548, 34 Sup. Ct. Rep. 956; Reader on Rate Regulations, Sec. 196, p. 340.
A continuance of adequate, efficient service by public utilities, particularly by street railroads in a growing city, vitally affects the public welfare. In granting to corporations franchises to- engage in the business of common carriers, the law contemplates a continuance of the public service, unless otherwise provided; and the law also contemplates an adequate and efficient service and that a reasonable compensation therefor shall be allowed, to- comport with organic property rights- (City of Gainesville v. Gainesville Gas & Electric Power Co., 65 Fla. 404, 62 South. Rep. 919; Brooks S. Co. v. Railroad Commissioners, - U. S. -, 40 Sup. Ct. Rep. -, March 1, 1920; Minneapolis, St. P. & S. S. M. R. Co. v. State of North Dakota ex rel. McCue, 236 U. S. 585, 35 Sup. Ct. Rep. 429; Norfolk & W. R. Co. v. Attorney General of State of West Virginia, 236 U. S. 605, 35 Sup. Ct. Rep. 437) ; therefore, it is clearly within the legislative power and duty to enact regulations by which a reasonable return for service rendered by common carriers may be effectuated as well as.to enact regulations by which excessive charges and unjust discriminations by common carriers may be prevented and redressed. See Southern Public Utilities Co. v. City of Charlotte, supra; State ex rel. Indianapolis Traction & T. Co. v. Lewis, -Ind.-, 120 N. E. Rep. 129.
In the exercise of the power expressly recognized in Section 30, Article XYI, of the Constitution, to pass laws upon the subject, the Legislature enacted statutes as shown by the titles "to provide for the regulation of * passenger tariffs," "to prohibit railroad companies, corporations, persons and all common carriers in this State from charging other ~ than just and reasonable rates," and "relating to the Railroad Commissioners and the regulation o.f common carriers." See Chap. 4549, Laws of Florida, Acts of 1897; Chap. 4700, Acts of 1899; Secs. 2882 et seq. Gen. Stats. 1900; Chap. 6527, Acts of 1913; Secs. 2882 et seq. Comp. Laws, 1914.
"While there is a similarity between railroads and street-railroads, there is also a difference. Some courts, emphasizing the similarity, hold that in statutes the word 'railroad' includes street railroad, unless the con-, trary is required by the context. Others, emphasizing the similarity, hold that 'railroad does not include street railroad unless required by the context.' " Omaha & G. B. St. R. Co. v. Interstate Commerce Commission, 230 U. S. 324, text 335, 33 Sup. Ct. Rep. 890.
This court, observing the similiarity between a railroad and' a street railroad, has construed statutes that in terms refer to- "railroads" to include street railroads.
The terms "manager of any railroad company or receiver of any railroad," as used in Chapter 4115, Acts of 1893, were held to apply to a street railroad, pursuant to an application of the principles of law that "the word railroad, in its broadest signication, includes a street railroad. When the word is used in a statute there is no definite rule of construction as to whether it includes street railroads. It may, or it may not, include them. The meaning of the word must depend upon the context and the general intent of the statute in which it is used." Bloxham v. Consumers' Electric Light & St. R. Co., 36 Fla. 519, 18 South. Rep. 444, 22 R. C. L. 745; Arends v. Grand Rapids R. Co., 172 Mich. 448, 138 N. W. Rep. 195.
The term "railroad company," as used in Section 3148, General Statutes of 1906, Chapter 4071, Acts of 1891, includes a street railroad company. See Consumers Electric Light & St. R. Co. v. Prior, 44 Fla. 354, 32 South. Rep. 797; Tampa Electric Co. v. Bourquardez, 72 Fla. 161, 72 South. Rep. 668. See also Shreveport Traction Co. v. Kansas City S. & G. Ry. Co., 119 La. 758, 44 South. Rep. 457.
Ordinarily street railroads are engaged in local and intrastate transportation and not in interstate commerce; and it was with much reason held in Omaha & C. B. St. R. Co. v. Interstate Commerce Commission, supra, that tlie original interstate commerce act of 1887 made by its terms applicable "to any common carrier or carriers engaged in the transportation of passengers or property wholly by railroad," in foreign or interstate commerce, did not embrace .street railroads "even though they carry passengers across the State line." The interstate commerce act contemplated the regulation of transportation by railroads that were regarded as the usual "channels of interstate commerce.''
In Board of Railroad Com'rs. v. Market St. Ry. Co., 132 Cal. 677, 64 Pac. Rep. 1065, a statutory regulation for examining the books and records of a common carrier corporation, was declared to be not applicable to street railroad companies under a constitutional provision giving railroad commissioners power to establish, rates for "railroad and other transportation companies." But in that case the statute expressly excepted street railroads from its operation, and the court in effect held that this was not a violation of the Constitution.
In City of Barre v. Barre & M. Power & Traction Co., 88 Vt. 304, 92 Atl. Rep. 237, it was held that particular statutes conferring powers upon railroad commissioners with reference to railroads did not apply to street railroads, there being other provisions of law regulatirig street railroads.
The case of Interurban Railway & Terminal Co. v. Public Utilities Commission, 98 Ohio St. 287, 120 N. E. Rep. 831, P. U. R. 1919B, 212, 3 A. L. R. 696, was controlled by the provisions of the State Constitution as to powers of a municipality. See Notes, 3 A. L. R. 730, 736. In Columbus R. & P. Co. v. Columbus, 249 U. S. 399, the power of the State to alter the contract rate was not asserted. See also Miami Gas Co. v. Highleyman, 77 Fla. 523, 81 So. Rep. 775.
The intent of a valid statute is the law, and this is ascertained by a consideration of the language and purpose of the enactment. Where the legislative intent is clearly' manifest by the language used, considered in its ordinary and grammatical sense, rules of construction are unnecessary and inapplicable. Where there is ambiguity or uncertainty of meaning in. the words employed in a statute, the legislative intent should be ascertained by a consideration of the entiré act and of others in pari materia; and in doing so appropriate effect should, if possible, be given to all the material portions of the law so as to carry out and effectuate in the fullest degree the intention of the lawmakers. See 25 R. C. L. 1004. Where a rule of construction is contained in the statute itself, that rule should be .applied if it is necessary to use any rules of construction in determining the meaning of effect of the law. 25 R. C. L. 1049. The statute conferring upon the Railroad Commissioners authority to regulate the tariff rates of "all railroads, railroad companies and common carriers," must be interpreted by its own terms, and must be considered as a whole in determining whether it applies to street railroads.
When a valid statute confers a power or imposes a duty upon designated officials, a failure to exercise the power or to perform the duty does not affect the existence of the power or duty or curtail the right to require performance in a proper case. Chicago, Burlington & Quincy R. R. Co. v. Iowa, 94 U. S. 155, text 162.
Section 5 of Chapter 4549, Acts .of 1897, enacted that "the provisions of this Chapter, shall apply to the transportation, of passengers and property, * and shall ap ply to all railroad corporations and railroad companies engaged in this State in the transportation of passengers or property by railroads therein from any point within this State to any point within this State * and the provisions of this Act shall apply to all persons, firms and companies, and to all associations of persons, whether incorporated or otherwise, that shall do business as common carriers upon any of the lines of railroads in this State (street railroads excepted) the same as to railroad corporations herein before mentioned."
Section 5 of Chapter 1700, Acts of 1899, entitled "An Act to revise and amend" Chapter 1519, Acts of 1897, etc., enacts that, "The provisions of this Chapter shall apply to the transportation of persons and property, * and shall apply to all railroads, railroad companies and common carriers engaged in this State in the transportation of passengers or property by the railroads, or common carriers therein, from any point within this State to any point within this State."
The portion of Section 5, Chapter 1519, which expressly excepted "street railroads" from "the provisions of the Act" was omitted from the amending and revising Act, Chap. 1700, Acts. 1899. The quoted provision from Section 5, Chapter 1700, was re-enacted as Section 2890 of the General Statutes of 1906; and is embraced in the amending Act of 1913, Chapter 6527, Laws of Florida, and includes "common carriers" where they were not included in the Act of 1897.
The changes made in the statute shown by the italicized words, and the omission of the exception of "street railroads," contained in Chapter 1519, are material and significant, particularly in view of other substantial amendments and changes made by the Act of 1913.
Where an amendment is enacted, it must he assumed that a change in the existing law to the extent indicated by the nature of the amendment was intended unless a contrary intent appears from all of the enactments on the subject; and courts should give appropriate effect to the amendment. See 36 Cyc. 1165; 25 R. C. L. 1067.
Chapter 6527, Acts of 1913, amending stated Sections of the General Statutes of 1906, that constituted Chapter 4700, Acts of 1899, provides that "The provisions of this Chapter shall apply to the transportation of passengers and property * and shall apply to all railroads, railroad companies and common carriers engaged in this State in the transportation of passengers or property by railroads or common carriers therein from any point within this State to any point within this State; and defines the terms "railroad corporation" or "railroad company" to mean all corporations * now owning or operating * any railroad in whole or in part in this State." Chapter 4700, Acts of 1899, Section 2892, General Statutes of 1906,, Compiled Laws of 1914, defines the term "common carrier" to mean "all companies * owning and operating railroads wholly or in part in this State." Chapter 6527, Acts of 1913, provides that "it shall be the duty of said commissioners to make reasonable and just rates of freight and passenger tariffs to be observed by all railroads, railroad companies and common carriers doing business in this State over thei'r respective lines;" and that said Commissioners "shall have power to regulate all other matters pertaining to the receiving, handling, care, transportation and delivery of property, and to the safety, care, comfort, convenience, proper accommodation and transportation of passengers that shall be for the good of the public. The operation of this general grant or of any other general grant of power in this chapter shall not be held to be limited by the grants of specific powers," and "to prescribe all rules and regulations appropriate for the execution of- any of the powers conferred upon them by law either in express terms, or by implication," and that "all doubts as to their jurisdiction and powers, shall be resolved in their favor, it being intended that the laws relative to the Railroad' Commissioners shall be deemed remedial laws to be construed liberally to further the legislative intent to regulate and control public carriers in the public interest." Chapter 4700 omitted the exception of "street railroads" contained in Chapter 4549.
The changes made in the statute enlarge the jurisdiction and powers of the Railroad Commissioners, and it is expressly enacted that the laws shall "be construed liberally to further the legislative intent to regulate and control public carriers in the public interest."
The quoted and other provisions' of the statute indicate an intent to extend the powers and duties of the Railroad Commissioners to the making of just and reasonable intrastate tariff rates for aU common carrier railroads that operate in this State, which comprehensive terms embrace street railroads; and an intent to exclude street railroads does not appear from a consideration of all the related enactments.
The statute expressly states that powers are conferred upon the railroad Commissioners "by law either in express terms or by implication" It is specifically enacted that the provisions of the law "shall apply to all railroads, railroad companies aná common carriers engaged in the transportation of passengers or property by railroads or common carriers therein from <my point within this State to any point within this State." This is an enlargement of the Act of 1897 from which street railroads were expressly excepted. The exception of street railroads was omitted from the Act of 1899, which superseded the Act of 1897.
A street railroad is a public carrier" to be "regulated and controlled in the public interest" and "for the good of the public;" and the statutes of the State provide no other authority .for such regulation. A street railroad is a railroad; it is a common carrier; and it transports passengers from points to points within this State, though all the points may be in or near only one city, and though there be no stations or depots, or even no regular or designated or customary stops at which persons systematically enter or leave the cars. Transportation from point to point does not necessarily mean from an established station to an established station.
The alternative writ .alleges, and the motion to quash admits, that the relator company "is. a railroad company and common carrier of passengers," operating in the City of Jacksonville "and territory contiguous thereto;" and that under its franchise rights, the corporation is engaged in transporting passengers in cars over "a standard guage railroad track" from points to points within the city limits, "on the lines of its said railways."
As the statute expressly provides that powers are conferred upon the Railroad Commissioners "by law either in express terms or by implication," that the law shall be "construed liberally," and that "all doubts as to their jurisdiction and powers shall be resolved in favor" of the existence of the jurisdiction and power of the Railroad Commissioners, a "point" to "point" transportation by a railroad common carrier as used in the statutes may well mean a transportation between the stops of a street rail road car. If when "construed liberally" there be a doubt as to whether the comprehensive terms of the statute were intended to be applicable to street railroads, such doubt as to the "jurisdiction and powers" of the Railroad Commissioners,' by the express requirement of the statute" shall be resolved in their favor." See Texas El. Co. v. Barton, Tex. Civ. App. , 213 S. W. Rep. 689.
The fact that some of the powers conferred by the statrde are not applicable to street railroads is not controlling. All of the powers conferred may not be appropriate to the conditions of some railroads; but the powers are potentially applicable to all common carriers by railroad, and come into operation when conditions warrant it. Some railroads may not cross others or have joint depots or connect with other railroads or with steamboat carriers, or operate dining or parlor or sleeping or refrigerator cars.
Some of the provisions of the statute are not appropriate to terminal companies, union depot companies, sleeping car companies, steamship companies, steamboat companies or express companies, to all of which companies the statute is expressly made applicable. The statute makes no distinction between steam and other railroads. ' •
In enacting that the statute "shall apply to all railroads, railroad companies and common carriers," it was not necessary to speeiffically mention street railroads, as they are ordinarily included in the terms "all railroads," "all railroad companies" and "all common carriers;" and the provision of the Act of 1897 excluding "street railroads" was omitted by the "amending and revising Act of 1899. Previous statutes relating to railroad companies had been judicially, held to include street railroads. It was appropriate to expressly mention Steamboat companies, express companies and parlor, sleeping and dining car companies, as they do not own or operate railroads in this State. Street railroads do operate as railroad common carriers, and in this case the street railroad operates outside of as well as within the city limits.
In making Chapter 4549, Acts of 1897, applicable to "all railroad corporations and railroad companies," and to all corporations "that shall do business as common carriers upon any of the lines of railroads in this State (street railroads excepted)," the Legislature deemed the language used broad enough to include street railroads, and not intending that they should be included, expressly excepted them. Chapter 4700, Acts of 1899, enacted "to revise and amend" Chapter 4549, made the law applicable "to all railroad corporations, railroad companies <md common carriers," and eliminated the exception of street railroads. If in using the words "upon any of the lines of railroads i'n this State," in the Act of 1897, it was necessary to except therefrom street railroads to keep them from being included in the terms used, then the broader and more 'comprehensive'terms used in the revising and amending Act of 1899, with the express exception of "street railroads" .omitted therefrom, show an intent to enlarge the subjects or objects to which the law is made applicable, so as to make "all railroad corporations, railroad companies and common carriers" include street railroads, as such terms ordinarily and grammatically do. This conclusion seems to be inevitable under Chapter 6527, Acts of 1913, amending the law in certain Sections "relative to the Railroad Commissioners, and the regulation of common carriers," which makes the law applicable to "all railroads, railroad companies and common carriers," without excepting street railroads, and specifically requires the law to be "construed liberally," and further enacts that "all doubts- as to the jurisdiction and powers of the Railroad Commissioners shall be resolved in their favor."
The word "jurisdiction" relates to the subjects or objects over which authority may be exercised, as well as to the nature and extent of the authority to be exercised over the subjects or objects.
Even if the city has special statutory authority to regulate the physical operation of street railroads within its territory, this would not affect the authority of the Railroad Commissioners as to tariff rates' in the absence of statutory authority clearly conferred upon the city to regulate tariff rates to the exclusion of the State tribunal.
. The. opinions of counsel for the Railroad Commissioners and for a street railroad company, shown in the briefs of counsel for the respondents, indicate that in 1909 a doubt was entertained as to whether the authority of the Railroad Commissioners extended to street railroads, and that perhaps in view of the rule of construction then applied, the doubt was resolved against the existence of the authority. But since then Chapter 6527,. Acts of 1913,- enacts "that the laws relative to the Railroad Commissioners shall be deemed remedial laws to be construed liberally," and that "all doubts as to their jurisdiction and powers shall be resolved in their favor."
While the quoted provisions of Chapter 6527, as to a liberal construction of the Act, and as to resolving doubts as to jurisdiction and powers have no application when there is no statutory basis for an asserted power; yet, as in this case, where there is a substantial and sufficient basis in a valid enactment, as shown by its terms or by a fair intendment of the terms used, upon which to predicate a regulatory power of the Railroad Commissioners, that does not conflict with fundamental law or with other express and controlling statutory provisions, the courts, pursuant to the statute, should liberally construe and give effect .-to the provisions, to make the intended jurisdiction and power effective so as "to further the legislative intent to regulate and control public carriers in the public interest." And doubts, if any, should "be resolved in favor' of the "jurisdiction and powers" of the Railroad Commissioners, as is expressly required by the statute. See State ex rel. Burr v. Jacksonville Terminal Co., 71 Fla. 295, text 334, 71 South. Rep. 474.
The authority of the Railroad Commissioners here discussed is more general and comprehensive than that considered in the case last above cited.
The alternative writ of mandamus issued herein alleges in substance, that the relator, E. J. Triay, by appointment of the United States Court, is the duly appointed receiver of the Jacksonville Traction Company, a railroad company and common carrier corporation under the laws of Massachusetts, and is operating a system of street railways consisting of over 64 miles of standard guage railroad track, in the city of Jacksonville, County of Duval, State of Florida, and territory contiguous .thereto; that the line of railway is, and has been for years, operated as a common carrier of passengers; that three per cent of the gross earnings of all the street railway lines in Jacksonville is paid to the city in addition to other taxes; "that the Jacksonville Traction Company is operating its line of railway within the city of Jacksonville under and by virtue of the provisions of an ordinance, No. 1-67, passed by the city council of the city of Jacksonville on the 15th day of January, 1907, and approved on the 26th day thereof, and that, among other things, it is provided in Section five (5) of said ordinance that - the fare to be charged by it for a continuous passage from any point within the city limits to any other point within the city limits, on the lines of its said railways, shall not exceed five cents, and that free transfer tickets shall be given to passengers paying a five-cent fare and accepted for carriage at intersecting points on the lines of the street railway or any other lines of street railway for the purpose of enabling them to make one continuous passage over the most direct route or routes;" that the total common and preferred stock of the company is $1,500,000.00; that its bonded indebtedness is $2,298,500.00; that the float indebtedness of the company is approximately $1,-095,000.00; that the physical value of the company's property, "outside of any element of good-will or franchise value, amounts in dollars and cents to far more than all of the indebtedness, stock and securities of the company;" "that the financial results of the operation of the lines of railway herein referred to during the year 1918 showed gross earnings of nine hundred and forty-five thousand dollars ($945,000), operating expenses of six hundred and thirty-eight thousand, three hundred and thirty-six dollars and nineteen cents ($638,336.19), taxes of seventy-one thousand, three hundred and thirty dollars and sixty-five cents ($71,330.65), interest charges of one hundred and seventy-five thousand, eight hundred and twenty-four dollars and. ninety-five cents ($175,- 824.95), bond sinking fund of twenty-three thousand, two hundred and forty-one dollars and' sixty-seven cents ($23,241.67), leaving a loss for the year, without taking into consideration any return to the owners of the property upon their money invested.' As compared with the earnings for the year 1914, the gross earnings increased two hundred and thirty thousand, three hundred and thirteen dollars, and seventy-three cents ($230,313.73), or thirty-two per cent. (32%), while the net balance decreased fifty-seven thousand, seven hundred and twenty-two dollars and ninety-three cents ($57,722.93), or sixty-one per cent (61%) ; and such condition Avas brought about by an abnormal increase almost entirely in the cost of labor and matterials necessary in the operation .of the company, said total increase of expenses being two hundred and .twenty thousand, eight hundred and forty-five dollars and twenty-one. cents ($220,845.21) ; that on September 27,- 1918, it became necessary for the company to make a large increase in Avages, and that if wages had been paid during the whole of the year of ,1918 at such increased rate, the result of- the years' operations would have shown a tremendous deficit; that the said wage scale is noAv in force and effect as a necessary item of expense in the operation of said railway, and will continue in,effect; that the price of materials, instead of being reduced, is constantly being increased; and that the . cost of operation of the railways operated by the traction company has largely increased instead of being decreased since the year 1918; -that the rate of fare which the traction company is by said ordinance permitted to charge has not been increased, with the result that the operations of the company for the year 1919-..show the. gross receipts to. be $1,024,527..03. -
Operating Expenses .-................................$835,875.14
Taxes . 93,268.41
Interest Charges .-.............,................. 174,965.80
Bond Sinking Fund . 24,271.66 •
Thus making a loss for the year 1919 of one hundred and three thousand, eight, hundred .and fifty-three and 98/100 dollars ($103,853.98), without any provision for depreciation, upkeep, or obsolescence, or without any return whatever to the owners of the property for the money invested in the same; that the tracks and the construction thereof, and the power houses, poles, -lines, rolling-stock, machinery, and equipment of the Jacksonville Traction Company, are, and have been, of the best, and that no more modern machinery or equipment can be .purchased or installed for the purpose of having a more economical operation of affairs; that the examinaiton by the relator of the operations of the company for the past two years is such as that he avers that the operations of the company have been carried on as economically as possible; and that he is satisfied, from his examination of the situation, and from the operations of the company since he has had charge of it as an officer of the United States Court, that it is utterly impossible to operate the same upon a five cents fare; that by authority and direction of the United 'States Court * the relator did, on the 19th day of January, 1920, apply, in the City of Tallahassee, to the Honorable Railroad Commissioners of the State of Florida for the necessary relief; that the Railroad Commissioners upon a hearing on the petition filed with .them, -to-wit, on. the 19th day of January, 19.20, apply, in the City of Tallahassee, to the Honorable Railroad Commissioners; of the- State of Florida for the necessary relief;, that the. Railroad Commissioners upon a hearing on the petition filed with them, to-wit, on the 19th¡ day of January, 1920, held that they had no jurisdiction over the subject-matter contained in said petition, and for said reason denied the same."
These and Other allegations of the alternative writ show a right of the relator to apply for such relief as the law affords in the premises. See Brooks S. Co. v. Railroad Commissioners,-- U. S. -, 40 Sup. Ct. Rep. 183, Feb'y 2, 1920; Minneapolis, St. P. & S. S. M. R. Co. v. State of North Dakota ex rel. McCue, 236 U. S. 585, 35 Sup. Ct. Rep. 129; Norfolk & W. R. Co. v. Attorney General of State of West Virginia, 236 U. S. 605, 35 Sup. Ct. Rep. 437; Munn v. Illinois, 91 U. S. 113, text 126; Pensacola & A. R. Co. v. State, 25 Fla. 310, 5 South. Rep. 833; Union Dry Goods Co. v. Georgia Public Service Corp., 248 U. S. 372,-- Sup. Ct.-.
The State has the power to reduce or increase or otherwise regulate the transportation fares charged by the Jacksonville Traction Company; and such, power is not affected by any authority conferred upon the City of Jacksonville or by the ordinance of the city limiting the fares to five cents. And the power of the State in the premises may properly be exerted through the Railroad Commissioners, an administrative tribunal of the State, under appropriate authority conferred by statute.
When "construed liberally" Avith "all doubts as to the jurisdiction and poAvers of the Railroad Commissioners resolved in their favor," as is expressly required by the act, the statute confers upon the Railroad Commissioners, a State tribunal, the authority and duty "to make reasonable .and just rates of passenger tariffs to be observed by" the relator, which authority and duty, under Section 30, of Article XVI of the Constitution, if not indepeml ently of it, are not affected by the provisions of the city ordinance referred to in the alternative writ "that the fare to be charged from any point within the city limits to any other point within the city limits , * shall not exceed*five cents;" and the allegations admitted by the motion to quash show a right of the relator to have the respondents proceed in the exercise of the authority conferred and in the performance of the duty required by the statute. See City of Manitowoc v. Manitowoc & Northern Traction Co. 145 Wis. 13, 129 N. W. Rep. 925; V. & S. Bottle Co. v. Mountain Gas Co., 261 Pa. 523, 104 Atl. Rep. 667; State ex rel. Indianapolis Traction & Terminal Co. v. Lewis, - Ind. -, 120 N. E. Rep. 129.
The motion to quash the alternative writ is denied.
Taylor & West, J. J., concur.
Browne, C. J.,, and Ellis, J. concur specially.