Opinion ID: 1832879
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Issue (1): A Package Deal?

Text: The Commission found that the applications were presented as a package which it had to either approve or disapprove in its entirety. The contentions of the various parties to this litigation are found in six briefs and three appendices to one of those briefs, containing an aggregate of three hundred pages. Much of the argument of each of the parties litigant is misdirected from the key issue which, simply stated, is: was there substantial evidence when considered most favorable to upholding the Order of APSC tends to support the action of APSC reflected in that Order? All applicants contend the Commission should have considered each of their applications separately. Applicants point out that each sought approval to purchase parts of the rights under the Certificate Of Authority of A-OK based on a separate contract made with the Trustee In Bankruptcy. Applicants also note that each application was treated separately although consolidated for hearing. In separate brief applicant Mason and Dixon contends the Commission should have given completely separate consideration to its application and approved same because: (1) Mason and Dixon sought to purchase all of A-OK's regular route authority, (2) The Commission order expressly stated it would approve transfer of the regular route authority to one carrier, (3) Protestants admitted they would not protest transfer of the regular route authority to one carrier. The Order of the Commission is supported by substantial evidence in the record. The record has been carefully examined. It consists of 2,109 pages, in 12 volumes, having a weight of 59 pounds avoirdupois. It shows the four separate contracts were the result of a single negotiation with the Trustee In Bankruptcy of A-OK. The Trustee's testimony indicates the decision to contract with the four carriers was arrived at only after he considered the total effect of the four contracts on the Alabama Transportation Industry. The record also shows the Trustee entered into those contracts based on his view that the agreed division of A-OK's rights would be acceptable to APSC. Moreover, while the Commission indicated it would approve transfer of the regular route authority to one carrier, it did not indicate it would approve transfer of such authority to Mason and Dixon. There was no prejudice to Mason and Dixon nor any other applicant. Reversible error cannot be predicated upon the Commission's judgment to consider the applications as a package.