Document: 386 U.S. 351 87 S.Ct. 1095 18 L.Ed.2d 143 RAILROAD TRANSFER SERVICE, INC., Petitioner,v.The CITY OF CHICAGO et al. No. 209. Argued Feb. 13, 1967. Decided March 27, Amos M. Mathews, Chicago, Ill., for petitioner. Raymond F. Simon, respondents. Mr. Justice BLACK delivered the opinion of Court. 1 This case arises from more than a decade controversy between Railroad Transfer Service, Inc., and City Chicago over city's persistent efforts to regulate Transfer's business, under contract with railroads, daily transporting by motor vehicle thousands interstate railroad passengers rail terminals. In 1955 railroads hired replace another carrier in performing this interterminal transfer service. Bent on blocking replacement, city then amended Chapter 28 its Municipal Code, which had before been primarily directed at regulating taxicab companies, require that new companies seeking perform service obtain licenses demonstrating, among other things, their ability satisfy public convenience necessity. Because threatened fine arrest drivers if it operated without license each vehicle, Transfer, attempting such licenses, brought suit against challenge validity public-convenience-and-necessity section ordinance. v. Atchison, T. & S.F.R. Co., 357 77, 78 1063, 2 1174, rejecting argument was premature, we held 'completely invalid insofar as applies * *.' Id., 89, 1070. 1959, after our decision repealed section, added some provisions, or left unchanged others clearly applied but were not specifically dealt Atchison opinion. The ordinance, still making unlawful operate obtaining city,1 provides an applicant must, things:2 pay fee,3 hire only residents drivers,4 maintain principal place business Chicago,5 file detailed written application.6 Upon receipt application, must investigate applicant's 'character reputation law abiding citizen' his 'financial ability' render 'safe comfortable' service, equipment, all judgments arising out operation. If finds is 'qualified' sought proper condition,' ordinance requires issue license.7 Licenses are valid one year, licensee annually go through application procedure. Outstanding revocable number grounds discretion.8 Finally, up $100 violation any provisions specifies day continues shall be deemed separate offense.9 3 With thus amended, 1960 demanded apply licenses. did so, unsuccessfully fees protest, present lawsuit city, asking District Court declare above-mentioned unconstitutional burdens commerce attempts area preempted Interstate Commerce Act, 24 Stat. 379, 49 U.S.C. § seq. While pending, again cease desist operations unless 'fully complied' ordinance10 impose requirements filing financial reports opening books records inspection.11 Nevertheless, dismissed action premature. continued paying into court because taken no further enforce Appeals affirmed, holding complaint premature face. 358 F.2d 55. We granted certiorari consider these two holdings conclude invalid. 4 First. prematurity arguments makes here similar ones made rejected Atchison. Though argues challenged do Transfer,12 considered them applicable. does retain much power deny fears,13 clear 'the claims least decide whether may transport station another.' U.S., 85, S.Ct., 1068 (emphasis added.) That enough enable attack requirement, even though there disclaimed economic considerations. It here. difficult imagine actual, alive, ripe one. has lasted decade. obtained filed court. continually—and while pending—amended continually fully comply now disclaims 'stop' operations, give operating revoke discretionary reasons obtain.14 short, although operate, reluctant sufference.15 then, said 'that company obligated (license) submit administrative procedures incident thereto bringing action.' 5 Second. rationale compels cannot validly it. recognizing 'service integral part transportation authorized subject regulation Act,' id., 1070, pointed various Act16 view completely precluded 'from exercising veto service,' added). gives 'discretion determine who baggage terminals.' 84—85, 1068. power, discretion, precisely what comprehensive licensing scheme purports reserve city. matters longer seeks exercise requiring showing total effect current places same. As recognized retains authority insist obey 'general safety regulations' traffic signals speed limits. 88, 1069. Many have reside most reports, open inspection, bear resemblance general regulations Other standing alone enforced means particular program, might possibly justified regulations.17 Castle Hayes Freight Lines, 348 61, 75 191, 99 L.Ed. 68. But need question now, of, divorced from, whole Transfer. See Adams Express Co. State New York, 232 14, 34 203, 58 483. Here related denial noncompliance criminal sanctions operation license. 'veto power' exercise. 6 Reversed. 7 HARLAN would affirm judgment below substantially given Chief Judge Hastings Appeals, 28—2. (The herein cited Code.) No licensed until inspected found 'in safe condition adequate facilities clean good repair comfort passengers' (§ 28—4), doors side 28—4.1), specified amount liability, property damage, workmen's compensation insurance evidenced policies 28—12). Section 28—7 imposes annual fee $40 terminal defined 28—1(p) include vehicles, 'shall cost issuing license, including, being limited to, investigations, inspections supervision necessary therefor, passenger vehicles Provisions chauffeurs §§ 28—1(l), 28—9, several 28.1 appear make residence chauffeur, e.g., 28.1—3, 9, 28.1—14. 28—5.1, first time 1959. 28—5, describing information contained 1959 provide: 'If affiliated become identified person (defined elsewhere corporation) agreement, contain full name, address telephone affiliate, copy agreement any, application.' Since operates conceivable affiliates However, affiliate register Commissioner, carry certain insurance, rules issued 28—12.1, 28—13.1, suggest they can. 28—6: 'Upon commissioner cause investigation character citizen; comfortable equipment awards rendered during period. find statements documents required properly executed, qualified pursue occupation cabman coachman 28—1(m) proprietor vehicle), him name for, terminate 31st December following date issue, provided registered issued.' italicized sentence 8 Prior 1963 revocation material fact omitted stated falsely. 28—15.1. authorize also where fails 'to representation Commissioner issuance license,' extend obtains single misrepresentation. Under 28—14, suspend becomes 'unsafe unfit use,' '(i)n determining use consideration health, appearance streets city.' 9 28—32. 10 ordered medical examinations fingerprinting. 11 28—30.1: 'Every cabman, corporation keep provide accurate account On May every profit loss statement preceding calendar earnings expenditures operation, maintenance property, depreciation expense, premiums paid liability taxes unemployment social security, state local fees, Federal income taxes, balance sheet close year. 'The access books, contracts, accounts normal hours effective administration enforcement chapter *. 'In addition foregoing within thirty days six months' period ended 31 June 30 year sworn gross fares collected expenses months immediately dates.' 1963. enacted applicable companies. 12 For instance, 28—30.1 But, apparently recognized, amendments paragraphs note 11, supra. 13 so-called 'safety factors' enumerated 28—6 n. 7, perhaps understandably, afraid word unlimited discretion very same nonsafety factors he previously could provision. 14 At assuring threat stop 'idle' one, adding provision seems custom-tailored already precarious position precarious. 28—31.2, 1963, provides: 'No revoked, surrendered, cancelled seven due, hereafter 15 principal-place-of-business requirement principal, only, Chicago. quoted supra, neither want change nor agent themselves, can afford prior challenging place-of-business requirement. 15, '(i)f abandons revoked.' After revocation, issued. 16 particular, mentioned 1(4) 3(4) reasonable terminals, 15(3) giving Commission establish 302(c)(2) providing conducted regarded performed transportation. Furthermore, proviso 302(c), ICC treat 304 purpose 'qualifications maximum employees equipment.' Although, decided adopted special noted so 86—87, 1068—1069, since has, indeed, promulgated carriers engaged generally CFR 190.1 17 'exact streets.' exacted here, however, enforcing scheme. 3, compelled them.

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