Document: 353 U.S. 325 77 S.Ct. 842 1 L.Ed.2d 862 The BALTIMORE AND OHIO RAILWAY COMPANY, Petitioner,v.Daniel T. JACKSON. No. 370. Argued March 28 and April 1, 1957. Decided May 13, Rehearing Denied June 24, See 354 943, 1391. Mr. Stephen Ailes, Washington, D.C., for the petitioner. Milford J. Meyer, Philadelphia, Pa., respondent. Justice CLARK delivered opinion of Court. This is a suit damages arising from an injury suffered by section foreman petitioner while operating motor track car that was towing push truck on petitioner's tracks. It brought under Federal Employers' Liability Act, 45 U.S.C.A. § 51 et seq. sole question whether such vehicles when used in manner here are within coverage Safety Appliance Acts.1 contends neither vehicle comes general Acts; and, alternative if included, they exempted as 'four-wheel cars' 6 Acts.2 2 Both trial court Court Appeals have decided involved included Acts falls any exemption contained therein. case reaches us certiorari, 352 889, 130, 84. We agree with two-court interpretation applied to facts involved. 3 respondent injured over five years ago. For 39 he had been maintenance He crew which supervision were responsible repair between Waring Durwood, Maryland. They their work gasoline-motor-powered equipped belt drive hand brake. could carry many 12 men tools. At various times or coupled pin towed it scene work. weighed about 800 pounds unloaded, 5-ton carrying capacity, no brakes. Sometimes carried load material other only equipment Each these cars four wheels capable being removed rails men. 4 On occasion two men, pursuant orders, hauled ton coal via Gaithersburg stationmaster at Washington Grove, station near roadbed day. placed pulled along tracks car. also tools, wheelbarrow, equipment, well his crew. After unloading proceeded short distance beyond Grove westbound track. There worked until p.m. then replaced tracks, fastened them together, began return trip yards Gaithersburg. approaching speed 5 10 miles per hour struck large dog derailed, throwing into ditch causing injuries. uncontradicted evidence brake immediately upon seeing skidded wet feet before impact. Respondent further testified alone, without attached, stopped same conditions six eight feet. action against railroad claiming (1) negligent directing him operate sufficient braking power, requiring pull wet, slippery not brakes, (2) proximately caused noncompliance requirements Boiler Inspection Acts. District ruled instructed jury provisions question. issues both causes submitted jury, returned verdict 'the aforesaid.' appeal directed second cause concerning applicability That affirmed, 98 U.S.App.D.C. 169, 233 F.2d 660, has already indicated, we faced problem power train apply coupling employed If separately, though do pass question, may be entirely different sections might each vehicles. But operated originally intended. contrary, pin—not coupler—to car, self-propelled piece its cargo destination although specifically require 'any car' brake.3 hauling purposes. Furthermore, instead solely tools place work, tow another car—albeit brakes but simple designed individual operation. wholly insufficient use put 7 believe controlling factor nature employment railroad's service, type operation used. Here time admitted putting locomotive uses pulling haul material, equipment. In light prime purpose Acts, i.e., protection employees others safe equipment,' Lilly v. Grand Trunk Western R. Co., 1943, 317 481, 486, 63 347, 351, 87 L.Ed. 411, this manner—regardless label places vehicles—the commands must obeyed. conducted injured, nor attached automatic coupler brake, defiance U.S.C. §§ 1—8, 1—8. say vehicles, even herein described, devices adaptable As said Southern Co. Crockett, 1914, 234 725, 34 897, 58 1564: 8 'We deem true intent meaning respecting couplers, grab irons, height draw-bars shall extended all * so far respective safety standards installed vehicles.' Id., pages 737—738, page 902. 9 there iron handhold increase hazards true, here, Commission through promulgation regulations covering should adapt thus protect public contended that, since 60 considered maintenance-of-way subject consistent administrative persuasive Congress never intended include coverage. long practice entitled weight, Davis Manry, 1925, 266 401, 405, 163, 164, 69 350, expressed determination problem.4 overspeaks elevating negative positive decision. our view failure act binding did intend come purview Shields Atlantic Coast Line 1956, 350 318, 321—322, 76 386, 389, 390, 100 364. 11 fact sponsored legislation rather indicates thought too insignificant consideration. think expresses amicus curiae brief says needs strict enforcement sound rules than air couplers specified Acts.' matter policy decide wrote embraced 'all trains, locomotives, tenders, cars, similar vehicles.'5 plain language more all-inclusive. construed Act generic sense. Johnson Pacific 1904, 196 25 158, 49 363, reference word 'car,' said: 'There nothing indicate particular kind meant. Tested context, object, meant kinds running rails, including locomotives.' 15—16, 161. Spokane & Inland E.R. Campbell, 1916, 241 497, 36 683, 1125. While paucity cases point, none contrary holding early 1934 Hoffman New York, N.H. H.R. 74 227, Second Circuit held truck, identical one involved, small gasoline tractor means hook (though engine end) dislodged pinned locomotive. unanimously 'is (which be), hand, inclined depart literal terms statute dispense requirement coupler.' 232. Three later applicable standard United States Ft. Worth D.C.R. 21 F.Supp. 916. Northern Texas where crane 'used purposes regardless whatever else be.' 918. 1955 Supreme Florida Martin Johnston, Fla., 79 So.2d 419, came separately independently vehicle. 'efficient brakes.' injury. commented: much reason motor-car efficient handbrakes, insure propelled own connection movement, authorized statute.' 420. 13 Nor find exampts Though four-wheel variety, trains logging cars. points out brief, proviso 'trains composed . locomotives trains,' legislative history shows provision enacted exempt 24 Cong.Rec. 1477. incorporated phraseology present admittedly error Rep. 727, 54th Cong., 1st Sess. reveals doubt application here. 14 car'6 car,'7 together practical necessity affording appliances thousands employees, public, conclude accordance 15 Affirmed. 16 BURTON, whom FRANKFURTER, HARLAN WHITTAKER join, dissenting. 17 suit, Acts1 required equip gasoline-driven liable furnish contributed accident. correctness instruction presents issue successors familiar handcars approves instruction, doing so, holds 'locomotive,' combined 'train' those I background history, longstanding Interstate Commerce justification holding. 18 November 1951, Jackson, Baltimore Ohio crew, engaged quitting time, three lifted motorized onto boarded house mile away. raining lightly wet. traveled 195 who saw cross front threw clutch hands. grabbed, locked slid 'about 20 feet' striking overturning. Jackson injured. 19 riding fourwheel weighing pounds. Powered controlled throttle, typical 60,000 currently American railroads crews houses performed. simpler consisted wheels, chassis, flat wooden platform, pushed hand. accident, rear non-automatic link device, except few conjunction customary; unusual excessive load; provided usual vehicles; proper working order make mandatory covered Criminal penalties imposed violation.2 Civil liability follows course violation proximate employee's injury.3 driving-wheel train-brake system, height, sill steps, irons handholds, determining trucks appliances, starting point. 22 expressly interstate commerce therewith *.' 32 Stat. 8, 8. term 'similar vehicles' included. Motor 'locomotives,' 'cars,' 23 statutory context demonstrates crucial 'locomotives' 'cars'—were ordinary sense referring like case. example, 27 531, requires 'power brake(s)' 'train-brake system,' speaks 'locomotive engine,' 'engineer,' 'brakesmen' 'train.'4 A hands would ordinarily called engine' jest, referred 'train.' Much less belong separate union—the Brotherhood Maintenance Way Employees—be 'engineer' 'brakemen.' appropriate freight passenger operations truck. Other 'car' refers Section makes unlawful 'to permit line automatically impact, can uncoupled going ends cars.' 2, 2. section, detailed dealing prescribed drawbars little yard's easily danger anyone.5 confirm view. Their suggested stated objectives served subjecting 26 recognized movement first 1—7, 1893, preceded decade concern, death toll major facing trainmen: them, brakemen standing tops cars.6 Commission, Brotherhoods, groups advocated reduce uniform trains.7 concerned adopted relates them.8 significance specific relate trucks. Unlike bring safely stop, endanger couple pushing Operated workers move comparatively slow speeds quite trainmen trains. By 1900, substantial compliance original Act.9 Nevertheless, disturbed because some recommended broadening amendments. These recommendations locomotives.'10 1903, 8—10, recommendations. (Emphasis supplied.) Initially, 'vehicles' bill unqualified 'similar.' S.Rep.No. 1930, 57th 16. However, representative objected ground broad 'traffic 16—17. Brotherhoods opposed substitute inapplicable 'cabooses, steam shovels, snowplows, scale conveyances,' 46. result qualified addition cover special Maintenance-of-way use. 29 third 298, 16, 11—16, 1910, supplemented existing additional extend 'Cars' secure still steps brakes; 'cars' ladders boards equipped; handholds roofs ladders; designate certain modify change drawbars. additions grew made cars.11 Uniformity imperative day night needed—sill ladders, boards, like—were character location Most adapted need suitable attach it. 30 inapplicability confirmed long-standing numerous considerations. administered half century. During has, statement, 'never way acts *.'12 Its 1911, specifying number, dimensions omits mention trucks.13 subjected inspection 'locomotives.' accident reporting purposes.14 31 Despite Commission's construction inceptions, today states 'there 330, 846. Not disclaim application, 'negative' declining impressive impose affirmative duty enforce provisions.15 Department aware on. prosecute evidences Trade Bunte Brothers, Inc., 312 349, 351—352, 61 580, 581, 582, 35 881. contemporaneous regulatory agency administers great weight.16 considerations entitling views respect. 404—405, 350. played predominant role developing perfecting given discretionary powers administering them. known Congress, industry labor organizations, trucks.17 33 significant Employees, whose members maintain active soliciting feels will add members.18 sought regulations. Although supported attempts failed.19 Brotherhood, however, secured legislation. Largely request, States, recent years, headlights, taillights, windshields, windshield wipers canopies, cars.20 state preemption, see Napier 272 605, 611, 47 207, 209, 71 432. Practical considerations, relating trucks, support hazard risk collision important lift quickly off contrast, most relation Whether feasible highly conjectural. might, fact, rendered increased weight sudden stops. expert spoke thrown open seats quick stops, 'In absence tests showing otherwise, seem dangerous device imagine.' P. 20. According better assured give warning movements named event, matters peculiarly competence. Court's decision directly opinion. imposes onerous requirements, unrelated safety, class Acts.21 Nothing compels disregard informed judgment authority responsibility administration enforcement. sustain reverse Appeals. amended, 1—16, 1—16. 532, 85, 62 909, 6, provides part: 'That common carrier using engine, train, permitting penalty *: Provided, eight-wheel top rail center does exceed twenty-five inches, exclusively transportation logs.' 11, '* haul, wit: All note 1953 proceeding prescribe governing electrically units multiple-unit itself declared 'self-propelled unit moving equipment' Act. Ex parte 179, 297 I.C.C. 177, 192. involve casts problem. pointed 'The all-inclusive, considering words locomotive' encompass motive act. Appearance clearly cannot determine classification placed.' added.) 191—192. 6. 6; 4, 299, 13. See, eG., Urie Thompson, 337 1018, 93 1282; Jacobson Cir., 206 153. traffic run number engineer drawing control purpose.' 1. reinforces conclusion. complied 'may lawfully refuse receive connecting lines road shippers sufficiently readily interchange 3, 3. transfer S. 1049, 52d 2—3, 5; 1678, 3; Sharfman, (1931), 246, n. 4. Since generally appliances—train couplers—they trainmen. enactment 1889 after completing investigation conditions. continued press 1893. Activities, 1887—1937 (1937), 118 120; Third Ann.Rep., I.C.C., 1889, 44—45, 84—101; Fifth 1891, 337—340; Sixth 1892, 69—70. 1893 'An promote travelers compelling carriers continuous purposes.' 'secure sides 'for greater security uncoupling Fourteenth 76. Fifteenth 1901, 68; Sixteenth 1902, 61. Twenty-third 1909, 40—41; S.Rep.No.250, 61st 2d 2; 37, 'For century, safety. period, acts, submit foregoing contemporary histories foundation formerly go couple, ascend primarily eliminate hazards. types risks.' Brief curiae, 18—20. amended 1943 republished 1946. CFR, 1949, Pt. 131. Accident Bulletin 124 1955, 94. Under 15, 14, informing Attorneys violations attorneys violators; $100 violation. e.g., Norwegian Nitrogen Products 288 294, 311—315, 53 356, 358, 796; State Wisconsin Illinois, 278 367, 413, 170, 73 426. federal decisions relied distinguishable. 18-foot 'locomotive' coupler, loaded cement. Such bears resemblance Fort 916, Browning crane, combination decision, lends appears unadvised above-stated purpose, Hertel, History Employes (1955), 212—213. 1558, 81st 3—4; Hearings House Subcommittee Foreign 378 530, 17—54. op. cit. supra, 213. Mass.Acts 1952, c. 430, 174; Mich.Stat.Ann., Cum.Supp. 22.965, 22.966, 22.968(1), 22.968(2), Comp.Laws Laws Supp.1954, 469.521, 469.522, rejects contention excepted virtue exempting trains.' confirms dissent exception, face, applies And, mind, limited thoroughly suited appliances.

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