Document: 390 U.S. 538 88 S.Ct. 1239 20 L.Ed.2d 112 Elisha EDWARDS, Petitioner,v.PACIFIC FRUIT EXPRESS COMPANY. No. 465. Argued March 14, 1968. Decided April 8, Arne Werchick, San Francisco, Cal., for petitioner. John J. Corrigan, Los Angeles, respondent. Mr. Justice BLACK delivered the opinion of Court. 1 The Federal Employers' Liability Act provides that every common carrier by railroad engaged in interstate commerce shall be liable damages injury or death its employees resulting whole part from negligence agents defects equipment due to negligence.1 question this case is whether respondent Pacific Fruit Express Company a 'common railroad.' 2 largest company kind United States. It owns, maintains, and leases refrigerator cars railroads transport perishable products commerce. Because it repairs own cars, also owns buildings, plants, switching tracks, make these repairs. While which are leased them as directed, reserves right have diverted carry out business plans. petitioner Edwards works an iceman at one respondent's repair concentration plants. His duties ice help store carriage railroads. driving motor vehicle performance his duty employee respondent, he was thrown violently ground, covered with burning gasoline severely burned. He later brought action against charging railroad' under Act. Contending not within meaning Act, moved summary judgment District Court granted. Appeals affirmed, 378 F.2d 54, we granted certiorari. 389 912, 239, 19 259. We agree both courts affirm. 3 In conducting providing servicing insulated commodities, undoubtedly true performs some functions. For example, maintains takes care transportation services while transit controls their eventual destination. And has yards facilities storage cars. such functions sufficient constitute answer must look past judicial decisions interpreting legislative history surrounding 4 This held words mean 'one who operates means carrying public,—that say, acting carrier. view only accord ordinary acceptation words, but enforced mention engines, track, roadbed other property pertaining going * *.' Wells Fargo & Co. v. Taylor, 254 175, 187 188, 41 93, 98, 65 L.Ed. 205. (Emphasis added.) interpretation references 'operat(ing) 'going would indicate renting shippers protective service commodities itself indeed decision express companies were coverage Act.2 even earlier case, Robinson Baltimore Ohio R. Co., 237 84, 35 491, 59 849, Pullman car porter railroad, hence, These based on rationale there exist number activities which, used conjunction closely related railroading, yet railroading itself. fact, pointed discussing that, 'It well known trains persons various masters. Congress, familiar situation, did use any appropriate expression could taken purpose include among those whom act.' U.S., 94, S.Ct., 494. 5 1939 Congress substantially amended Fargo, supra, Robinson, proposed amendments3 changed language § read follows: 'Every including company, freight forwarding sleeping-car Obviously proposal designed nullify Court's construction had excluded companies. committee received little support opposed certain segments organized labor, failed pass.4 By refusing broaden railroads, declined extend intimately associated railroad. 6 Equally significant fact years immediately preceding amendment enacted major labor social legislation expressly included. decade 1930's passed following Acts specifically 'any connection refrigeration icing transported *': (1) An Railway Labor 48 Stat. 1185 (1934), 45 U.S.C. 151. originally passed, 44 577 (1926), do so. (2) Railroad Retirement 1934, 1283, unconstitutional Board Alton 295 330, 55 758, 79 1468 (1935). (3) (1935), 49 967, (4) Carriers' Taxing 974 overcome constitutional objection 1934. (5) 1937, 50 307, 228a et seq. (1937). (6) 435. (7) Unemployment Insurance 52 1094, 351 (1938). Yet 1939, when came made no 7 light surprising four reported cases where suits been filed alleging like Act—all hold liability first Gaulden Southern 174 1022 (C.A. 9th Cir. 1949), suit employed very involved here. affirmed (78 F.Supp. 651) holding subsequent Third Circuit, citing opinion, another 'which conducted similar all critical aspects of' Company, Hetman Growers 346 F. 2d 947 (C.A.3d Cir., 1965). There two state involving denied liability. Aguirre 232 Cal.App.2d 636, 43 Cal.Rptr. 73, Moleton Union Pac. 118 Utah 107, 219 P.2d 1080, cert. denied, 340 932, 71 495, 95 672, concluded 8 Thus, 60 administered understanding included terms During time injured compensation laws. here already drawn more than $6,000 California law. rely pure policy, concerning apparently organizations most interested divided. Under circumstances think should depart what job Congress. 9 Affirmed. 65, amended, 51. again Jones New York Cent. 182 326 (C.A.6th 1950), relying decision. S. 1708, 76th Cong., 1st Sess. (1939). Hearings before Subcommittee Senate Committee Judiciary Amending Sess., 57, 58

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