Document: 358 U.S. 133 79 S.Ct. 170 3 L.Ed.2d 172 AMERICAN TRUCKING ASSOCIATIONS, Inc., et al., Appellants,v.FRISCO TRANSPORTATION COMPANY. RAILWAY LABOR EXECUTIVES' ASSOCIATION Appellants, v. FRISCO INTERSTATE COMMERCE COMMISSION, Appellant, Nos. 15, 16, 19. Argued Oct. 13, 1958. Decided Dec. Mr. Robert W. Ginnane, New York City, for appellant Interstate Commerce Commission. Peter T. Beardsley, Washington, D.C., appellants American Trucking Ass'ns al. Ernest D. Grinnell, Jr., St. Louis, Mo., appellee. Chief Justice WARREN delivered the opinion of Court. 1 The issue here is whether Commission has power to modify certificates public convenience and necessity containing inadvertent errors, and, if so, whether, in circumstances these cases, could which had inadvertently authorized performance unrestricted motor carrier services by a wholly owned subsidiary railroad. 2 Appellee, Louis-San Francisco Railway Company, common vehicle engaged primarily transportation property interstate intrastate commerce. greater part appellee's system was acquired 1938 1939 purchase existing independent carriers. These purchases were made pursuant predecessor § 5(2)(b) Act, 49 U.S.C. 5(2)(b), U.S.C.A. permits acquisition rail rights properties finds that 'will be consistent with interest will enable such (rail) use service advantage its operations not unduly restrain competition.'1 In 1938, appellee began seeking permission operate as over substantial mileage seven States including routes here. On some eventually appellee, it carry on operations. others, imposed restrictions limiting points within ten miles stations parent corporation or shipments from, to, through certain cities. addition, additional assure would 'auxiliary supplementary' performed corporate parent.2 This case concerns four aggregating 284 miles. Prior purchase, each serviced an During 1939, application operating Finance hearings held before examiner determine acquisitions met applicable statutory standards. Although sought continue carriers' operations, represented applications carriers establish coordinated truck train railroad along routes. A number opposed applications, but hearing recommended approval each, subject various conditions. Among recommendation authority granted 'to further limitations, restrictions, modifications may hereafter find necessary impose, order insure shall auxiliary supplementary (parent) railroad, competition.' protestant filed exceptions examiner's report one all went Division 5 action. It reviewed reports adopted recommendations above-quoted condition. asked service, took no did ask review full Rather, notified consummate approved terms prescribed, thirty days reports, transactions commence 4 Thereafter, compliance orders issued connection question. informed authorizing engage foreign commerce according specifications set forth soon complied requirements, filing rate publications evidence security protection public. include condition reserving right take steps parent's services. 1941, prior issuance covering routes, complaint competing charged performing unauthorized course this proceeding, Those concerning question contained reservations similar ones stated finance 5. August 1, 1944, entered findings proceeding stating direct been perform original orders. authorization limited parent. Because unconditional certificates, however, enter order, indicated proceedings reopened what, any, conditions should certificates.3 Subsequently, disapproved Division's conditions, considered proceedings.4 6 commenced motion 1945. All parties served proposed based records impose parent, reservation omitted from specific effectuate purpose Commission—i.e., solely supplementary.' 7 Appellee requested hearings. Thereupon, 1946, after matter referred examiners appropriate proceedings. exhaustive report, discussed history surrounding unconditioned certificates. They concluded authorize broader than those relevant restrictions. Division, Commission's administrative procedures practices pointed out how error probably occurred. showed are prepared staff section which, prescribed lapse time adoption inserts mimeographed forms stock paragraphs described report. that, under rules, discretion alter anything sole responsibility transposing into certificate form. Different action, might desired can only taken formal supplemental supervisor, who also without discretionary make changes, then issued. reasoned between conclusion obviously findings. 8 Commission, oral arguent, stressed another aspect affirming action Division. view, specifically purchases, changed eliminate limitations at opponents unlimited heard. Each thus found omission due clerical inadvertence corrected. corrections ordered, addition specified reservations. 9 dissatisfied final specially convened three-judge District Court have aside. 28 2321 seq., seq. argued, majority court concluded, dissent members, United Watson Bros. Transportation Co., 350 927, 76 302, 100 L.Ed. 810, modification Further, record lacked support finding inadvertency. Frisco Co. U.S., 153 F.Supp. 572. We disagree both conclusions. I. 10 well settled reserve rail-affiliated carrier's affiliate. Rock Island Motor Transit 340 419, 71 382, 95 391.5 certificate, here, 1941. 11 reason obvious. Congress, 5(2)(b),6 franchises their affiliates situations where advantage. long interpreted mandate confine 'operations service,' least absence special justify less restricted States, 355 141, 148, note 8, 78 165, 169. To accomplish congressional purpose, either state provide limitation arise. supra. 12 Here, shows, acquiring. instances, reasons do appear record. issue, conditional granted. Such representations give supplemented rail-carrier fact, inconsistent plans, appeal adopting clearly reserved future And consummated Undoubtedly, therefore, proceedings, question, acceded. 13 Between two years later, contain reservation. arises, conscious policy choice or, it, process fashioning Certainly must other alternatives because, obvious exercise changing findings, authorizations reports. 14 below omissions resulted change, subsequent reopening conditioning attempt restrict operation basis newly developed policies. does conclusion. believed significant rather authoring own. Additionally, meaning fact while not.7 viewed commencement related 1941 especially important. Viewing facts, refused accept inadvertence. 15 our supported. First, we see significance adopted, modification, recommendations. Under unusual, see, e.g., 53 M.C.C. 97; 117; 46 328; clear circumscribed. Second, there nothing dissenting opinions indicate any Commissioner instructed delete increase scope factor militates strongly favor omitted, particularly when improper change decision notice protestants appeared opposition exception purchases. 5(2)(b); 1004, 1004. Cf. Federal Communications Comm. National Broadcasting (KOA), 319 239, 63 1035, 87 1374. Third, policies, likely treated route involved similarly really supports others because policy. Also, exposition internal shows easily Finally, out, issued, sections normally dealt non-rail-affiliated were, easy omitted. 572, 578—579. circumstances, compelled 16 complains 5, improperly official first although them mentioned examiners' claims disclose so chance rebut unfavorable inferences drawn them. But fail what prejudice accrued taking practices, adequate opportunity argument Pierce Auto Freight Lines, 327 515, 66 687, 90 821. Particularly true showing misstated prejudice. like Ohio Bell Telephone Public Utilities Comm., 301 292, 57 724, 81 1093, Abilene & Southern R. 265 274, 44 565, 68 1016, 'facts' officially noticed doubt controverted II. 17 remaining has, occasion, determined failure proper certificate. Seatrain 329 424, 67 435, 91 396. court, ruled power, exercised hearing. 810. 18 axiomatic courts duty correct judgments errors mistake. Gagnon 193 451, 24 510, 48 745. Rule 60(a) Rules Civil Procedure, U.S.C.A., recognizes provides '(c)lerical mistakes judgments, parts therein arising oversight corrected own initiative party notice, orders.' vested Section 17(3) Act creating 17(3), that: 'The conduct provision law manner best conduce dispatch business ends justice.' broad enabling statute, opinion, authorizes correction ministerial errors. hold otherwise say once occurred powerless remedial steps. not, Congress provided, 'best presence officers tribunals recognized—probably recognized little discussion ensued reported cases. Hearne, 19 How. 252, 614.8 Of course, used guise previous decisions wisdom appears doubtful light supra, apparent mistake execute subsequently D.C.Neb., 132 905, affirmed allow pretext undercut 212 312, makes step process. prohibits shown, mistakenly intended provision, execution but, participated merely 20 judgment reversed. 21 Reversed. 22 WHITTAKER, believing mere staff, affirm 23 STEWART consideration Carrier 1935, 213, Stat. 556, conditioned follows: 'Provided, That applicant, person controlled affiliated therewith 5(8) I, unless transaction promote language quoted above, railroads See 169, 158. Campbell Sixty-Six Express, 43 641. 222. Associations, Labor Executives' Association, urge us requirements void. occasion rule definitively states rigid service. As resolution unnecessary present decision, intimate position regard it. 556. originally six coverning authority, route, abandoned efforts new route. Davis, Administrative Law (1951), 600. agencies presumed existence power. Kenosha Transport Corporation—Interpretation Certificate, 85; Petroleum Corp. Q. Black, doing Superior 51 717; Greyhound Corporation Extension Operations—Slidell, La., 47 103; Santa Fe Trail Company Operations—New Mexico Points, 775; Pan Airways, North Atlantic Route Amendments, C.A.B. 849.

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