Document: 341 U.S. 71 S.Ct. 762 95 L.Ed. 1002 ALABAMA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION et al.v.SOUTHERN RY. CO. No. 395. Argued Feb. 27, 28, 1951. Decided May 21, Mr. Richard T. Rives, Montgomery, Ala. for appellants. Merton Roland Nachman, Jr., Ala., appellants, pro hoc vice, by special leave of Court. Charles Clark, Washington, D.C., appellee. Chief Justice VINSON delivered the opinion 1 The Southern Railway Company, appellee, brought this action in Federal District Court to enjoin members Alabama Public Service Commission and Attorney General Alabama, from enforcing laws prohibiting discontinuance certain railroad passenger service. Appellee's intrastate service is governed a statute abandonment 'any portion its public * unless until there shall first have been filed an application permit abandon obtained commission allowing such abandonment.' Ala.Code, 1940, tit. 48, § 106.1 Severe penalties are prescribed wilful violation regulatory statutes or orders utilities their employees. Id. §§ 399, 400, 405. 2 Appellee operates system throughout South. This case, however, involves only that furnished trains Nos. 7 8 operated daily between Tuscumbia, Chattanooga, Tennessee, distance approximately 145 miles mainly within Alabama. On September 13, 1948, appellee applied permission discontinue 8, alleging use had so declined revenues fell far short meeting direct operating expenses. After hearing evidence at Huntsville, one communities served trains, entered order on April 3, 1950, denying grounds exists need not attempted reduce losses through adoption more economical methods. 3 Instead pursuing right appeal state courts,2 complaint United States diversity citizenship requiring continued operation out-of-pocket loss amounted confiscation property Due Process Clause Fourteenth Amendment. Injunctive relief was prayed protect irreparable loss, flowing hand complying with law or, other, severe face law. A three-judge court3 heard evidence, made own findings fact judgment holding void permanently enjoining appellants taking any steps enforce either penalty provisions Code relation 8.4 D.C.1950, 91 F.Supp. 980. case properly here appeal, 28 U.S.C.(Supp.III) 1253. 4 jurisdiction grounded upon as well allegation federal question. Exercise does involve construction ill-defined court should hold pending definitive courts, e.g., Railroad Texas v. Pullman Co., 1941, 312 496, 61 643, 85 971; Shipman DuPre, 339 321, 70 640, 94 877. We also put side those cases which constitutionality itself drawn into question, Toomer Witsell, 334 385, 68 1156, 92 1460. For appellees attack administrative issued under valid designed assure provision adequate Alabama.5 5 takes position, adopted below, whenever plaintiff can show caused allegedly invalid ripe judicial review courts presence question opens litigation validity order, least long no involving same subject matter actually courts. But, it means follows district must be exercised case.6 As framed Burford Sun Oil 1943, 319 315, 318, 63 1098, 1099, 87 1424, before us is: 'Assuming jurisdiction, it, sound equitable discretion, exercise here?' 6 In assessing propriety relief, problem involved appropriate. conducts interstate business over tracks activities regulated Interstate Commerce Commission, 49 U.S.C. seq., U.S.C.A. seq. has held interblending operations deprive states primary authority transportation absence congressional supplementing authority. Minnesota Rate Cases (Simpson Shepard) 1913, 230 352, 33 729, 57 1511. And Congress since provided: 'That nothing (the Act) impair affect State, police power, require just reasonable freight business, except insofar requirement inconsistent lawful (Interstate Commission).' 1(17) (a), 1(17)(a).7 regulation 'primarily concern state.' State North Carolina States, 1945, 325 507, 511, 65 1260, 1263, 89 1760 (rates); Palmer Com. Massachusetts, 1939, 308 79, 60 34, 84 93 (discontinuance local service). 9 agencies expressed chronic deficit arising out train threat financial security American railroads recommended drastic minimize deficit, including unpatronized unprofitable service.8 However, our limited injuntion enforcement order.9 10 below justified finding would result appellee's threshold inquiry whether we find unnecessary consider issues relating merits did see fit raise Statement Jurisdiction briefs. do note passing similar contentions past, recognized performance particular utility service, even pecuniary considerations quite different when return entire Atlantic Coast Line R. Co. Corporation 1907, 206 1, 24—27, 27 585, 593, 595, 51 933. problems raised cannot resolved alone reference but depend predominantly factor rendered. Chesapeake & Ohio West Virginia, 1917, 242 603, 608, 37 234, 236, 520. 11 after area served, found de novo, necessity view increased availability motor transportation. attempt resolve these fact. take note, asked intervene resolving essentially balancing Decatur, Scottsboro, other directly affected. 12 Not established pass proposed provided final circuit Montgomery County right. Tit. 79. That court, record certified empowered set aside contrary substantial weight erroneous law, id. 82, decision may appealed Supreme 90. Statutory integral part process Code. Appeals, concentrated 'supervisory character'. Avery Freight Lines, Inc. White, 1944, 245 618, 622—623, 18 So.2d 394, 398, 154 A.L.R. 732. will if Nunis, 1949, 252 30, 39 409, 412, calls independent both facts denial due asserted. Bell Tel. 253 11—12, 42 655, 662. 13 taken presents constitutional infirmity. Washington ex rel. Oregon N. Fairchild, 1912, 224 510, 32 535, 56 863. And, whatever scope alleged rights issue, now settled relitigate factual questions ground involved. New York 1947, 331 284, 334—336, 67 1207, 1233, 1234, 1492; Rowan Nichols 311 570, 576, 343, 346, 358. complains injury resulting review, invoked protective powers stay supersedeas appeal. 81, 84.10 shown procedure way inadequate preserve ultimate orders. 14 based factors available appellee,11 intervention necessary protection rights. Equitable granted Court, discretion 'scrupulous regard rightful independence governments all times actuate courts,'12 convinced asserted preserved granting 'extraordinary injunction courts.'13 Considering '(f)ew interests higher claim chancellor than avoidance needless friction policies,'14 usual rule comity govern case. Whatever pursued 1424; 577, 358; 310 573, 1021, 1368, amended, 614, 615, 66, 390. 15 Johnson Act, 48 Stat. 775 (1934), (Supp. III) 1342, Act deprived affecting rates where 'A plain, speedy efficient remedy State.' rates, applicable. assumed 345, 766, discretion. 16 Great Lakes Dredge Dock Huffman, 293, 297—298, 1070, 1072, 1073, 1407: 17 'This withholding extraordinary having give conferred *. contrary, recognition equity interest reasonably appears private suffer. 'It discretionary power grant withhold avoid obstruction domestic policy states.'15 19 foregoing reasons, reversed. 20 Reversed. 21 FRANKFURTER, whom JACKSON joins, concurring result. 22 off two trains. deeming runs denied leave. thereafter against Commission. bill asking allegations proof failed establish Constitution. Under familiar, well-established principles dismissed bill. likewise directs dismiss But chooses line argument plain disregard legislation. Against I am compelled protest. 23 conventional feature legislation 106. Company that, segregated items total were loss. refused full hearing, procedural us. 24 suit restrain Middle required 2281, permanent granted. lies decision. 25 violated Amendment, relied chiefly It settled, rendered make confiscatory thereby unconstitutional property. St. Louis S.F.R. Gill, 156 649, 665—666, 667, 484, 490, 491, 567, 573; Comm., 933; Missouri Pacific Kansas, 216 262, 278, 30 330, 335, 54 472; O.R. Comm. 520; Puget Sound Traction, Light Power Reynolds, 244 574, 705, 1325; Fort Smith Traction Bourland, 267 45 249, 69 631; Northern Dakota, 236 600, 35 429, 434, 59 735. 26 Unlike department store grocery, free because item become unprofitable. 'One duties company doing common carrier providing facilities serving public. duty arises acceptance enjoyment privileges endures they retained. represents what undertakes them, avoided merely attended some loss.' supra, page 607, 236. true have, rare occasion, arbitrary constitute confiscation. Thus, Pacifi attempting force subsidize production commodity. Mississippi Mobile 388, 602, 1216, concluded: 'Looking extent productiveness whole, small traveling population character large expense serious conditions confronting carrier, inconvenience failure entail, fully agree concluding time circumstances unreasonable *.' 396, 605. us, involved, Sheffield-Tuscumbia, Chattanooga. four points. 46 stop stations operate schedule inconvenient concerned. schedules 36 'are comparable to' Trains afford convenience. 29 resulted $8,527.24 per month during twelve-month period ending February 1949. During five-month July 31, $10,738.51 month. failing receive fair return, investment contains sketchiest concerning entirety. appear although war years, earned net income Alabama.1 seems concerned almost exclusively 8. No showing incurred running basis lack merit plaintiff's clear dismissal complaint. Instead, stated, rests requires overturn course decisions and, effect, repeal act defining undisputed asserting admits suit. 1331, 1332. said, decline could 31 1875, (barring abortive 1801) opened claims Constitution States. March 470.2 Theretofore Judiciary 1789, 73, 85. Reagan Farmers' Loan Trust 362, 391, 1047, 1052, 38 1014, rejected agency order. consistently overrule determination allowed concurrent seeks agency. Smyth Ames, 169 466, 516, 418, 422, 819; Willcox Consolidated Gas 212 19, 40, 192, 195, 53 382; Bacon Rutland 232 134, 137, 34 283, 58 538; Detroit Mackinac Michigan 235 402, 126, 288; Oklahoma Russell, 261 290, 43 353, 354, 659; Prendergast Telephone 262 43, 47, 468, 853; Telegraph Kuykendall, 265 196, 201, 44 553, 555, 975; Warehouse Duluth 273 625, 628, 47 489, 807; Prentis 211 210, 228, 67, 70, 150. These overruled. They explained away. theory discarded clearly stated decided Term case: entirely immaterial, parties citizens brings court. party choose choice denied.' 195. What today holds sent challenge him.3 Since body thus discarded, ought left derelicts waters Congress, prolonged debate ensued wisdom broad grants original jurisdiction—power economic enterprise. Bill prevent lower interfering action. Finally, 1910, Mann-Elkins interlocutory officer acting violate three judges, June 18, 17, 539, 557. extended applications board commission. 4, 1013. By statute, keep willing order.4 1925, injunction. c. 229, 936, 938. aware problem, still satisfied Accordingly, 1934, passed withdrew suits rate orders, 14, 775. restriction applicable, controversy 1937, further tax Aug. 50 738. Plainly jurisdictional issue continuously dealt explicit detailed claims. Experience gave rise dissatisfaction began hedge limit power. available, exclusive fields greatest existed taxation—so available. away decide like wording later given resort obligatory might desirable rejects guidance amendatory acts, placing specific limitations regulation. limits though amended 1331 Title read: 'The civil actions wherein exceeds sum value $3,000, costs, Constitution, treaties commission.' (New italics.) change significance Court's coat sugar maxims. seen, warrant saying 'adequate law' he bring An law,' bar refers Petroleum Exploration, Inc., 304 209, 217, 834, 838, 82 1294; Di Giovanni Camden Ins. Ass'n, 296 64, 69, 80 47; Henrietta Mills Rutherford County, 281 121, 270, 272, 74 737; Risty Chicago, R.I. Pac. 270 378, 240, 641. adequately compensated money damages, his 'remedy law'. Armour Dallas, 255 280, 41 291, 635; City Harrisonville W. S. Dickey Clay 289 334, 77 1208. suggested transferred relatively unimportant compared overwhelming interest. See Brandeis, dissenting, Truax Corrigan, 257 312, 374, 124, 145, 66 254. Virginian System Federation, 300 515, 552, 592, 601, 81 789. powers, interfere. traditionally, reluctant interfere administration criminal justice. Beal 45, 577. unnecessary. 971. specialized aspect complicated outside normal competence 332 1106, 1424. majority technicalities oil importance competent, uniform proper jurisdiction. Again, matter, hear exhausted nonjudicial legal remedies. supra. Here Persons, 250 886. Concededly construe. There consideration equity, entertain Nor situation field out-of-State judges home. easy grasp certainly bred wide experience administration. reason declining State-Federal relations reviewed originally challenged instance me quarrel policy. define inferior otherwise. 40 Equity very nature denies if, balance convenience relevant inequitable always acted doctrine. never doctrine it. solely practical purposes 1875. theretofore possessed tie up litigant making redress precisely vast placed Civil War amendments. objections plaintiffs piecemeal restrictive legislation, litigated review. swoop finds indulged Acts 1934 1937. measures, decides, inherent aterilize 1875 proceedings challenging anything beyond disposing hereafter every Valley Water Borough Ben Avon, 287, 527, 64 908, nugatory unconstitutional. regret my inability flagrant contradiction unbroken seventy-five years. Upon filing discontinue, provides notification municipal officials, publication notice affected 107. commission, deems best public, refuse applications, 108. Ala.Code 79 restraining execution word 'statute' comprehends legislative enactments, expresed Federation Labor Watson, 1946, 327 582, 591—593, 761, 765, 90 873; Natural 1923, 292, 359. Appellants contend officials is, prohibited Eleventh contention tenable many prior following Ex parte Young, 1908, 209 123, 441, 52 714, objection. discontinuing upheld Louis-San Francisco 1929, 279 560, 383, 73 893. recently construed 559, 449. Gulf Corp. Gilbert, 330 501, 504—505, 839, 840, 841, 1055; 297, 1407; Atlas Life W.I. Southern, 306 563, 657, 660, 83 987; Canada Malting Ltd., Paterson Steamships, 1932, 285 413, 422—423, 415, 76 837. several communities. partial 1(18—20), 1(18—20). Colorado 1926, 271 153, 452, 878. I.C.C. 1(18 20), 1(18—20) authorize Kansas 691 (1925). Central 254 745, 765 (1944). 46th Annual Report, (1950) 5—6; 63d (1949) 4—5; Increased Rates, 276 9, 32—40 (1949); Proceedings, 61st Convention, National Association Utilities Commissioners 378—382, 410—414. 13(4), 13(4) continuance constitutes undue discrimination commerce cannot, proceeding, impact commerce. Western Georgia 493, 750, cited therein. Compare 1924, 975, rights, 659, sought 1914, 538, procedures plus thought inadequate. inadequacy derived rationale protected depended 'pure matters fact' novo essential Lilienthal, Courts Regulation Utilities, Harv.L.Rev. 379, 424 (1930). 358, relitigation determined body, eliminated premise rested. Matthews Rodgers, 284 521, 525, 219, 447. Pennsylvania Williams, 1935, 294 176, 185, 55 380, 841. 500, 645, Meredith Winter Haven, 320 237, 7, 12, 88 sustained 'does determine shape governing agencies' 'entails interference courts.' justify cases. 569—570, 987. railroad's particulars accounting system. Finding indicates yearly 'net income' business: 1931-1941 (average). $16,232,045 1942-1945 35,561,045 1946-1948 23,278,299 Alabama: 1936-1941 (average).$1,508,282 4,220,203 2,598,459 1789. 78. told Court: 'Compare inadequate.' shadow hint explanation thing 'thought' today's going press claim. 'inadequacy' explained, 'derived 150.' again statement. place opinion. repeats numerous made: 'All repeat, be. forbidden try choosing otherwise competent. citizen another territory invaded unauthorized acts officers, 391 (14 1014); 517 (18 819. McNeill 202 543 (26 722, 1142); 165 (28 456, 714).' thereof accompanied stayed 1014. 2284(5). avail

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