Document: 333 U.S. 445 68 S.Ct. 611 92 L.Ed. 798 FRANCIS et al.v.SOUTHERN PAC. CO. No. 400. Argued Feb. 5, 1948. Decided March 15, Mr. Parnell Black, of Salt Lake City, Utah, for petitioners. Paul H. Ray, respondent. Justice DOUGLAS delivered the opinion Court. 1 Petitioners are minor children Jack R. Francis who was killed while riding as an interstate passenger on one respondent's trains. They brought this suit, acting through their general guardians, to recover damages account his death. Jurisdiction in federal court founded diversity citizenship. The trial judge submitted jury only question wanton negligence. error alleged is refusal submit issue ordinary returned a verdict Circuit Court Appeals affirmed. 10 Cir., 162 F.2d 813. 2 held that Utah law creates right action heirs wrongful death decedent and distinct from any which might have maintained had he survived. But maintainable where could hv e recovered injury if not ensued. In case decedent, employee respondent, free pass connection with duties but only. therefore matter respondent would been liable caused by negligence, relying Northern Pacific Co. v. Adams, 192 440, 24 408, 48 513. It concluded same defense against heirs. We granted petition writ certiorari reexamine relationship between local respecting liability carriers under passes. 3 Van Wagoner Union Pac. Co., 186 P.2d 293, 303, decided after present filed, sued grade-crossing accident. contributory negligence barred recovery likewise bars view ruling Supreme we cannot say committed plain holding defenses petitioners it decedent.1 Yet requires such showing us overrule lower courts applications Erie Tompkins, 304 64, 58 817, 82 1188, 114 A.L.R. 1487. See Palmer Hoffman, 318 109, 118, 63 477, 482, 87 645, 144 719; MacGregor State Mutual Life Assur. 315 280, 62 607, 86 864; Steele General Mills, 329 433, 439, 67 442. Cf. Wichita Royalty City Nat. Bank, 306 103, 59 420, 83 515. 4 stated 'the user assumes all risk person or property loss whether otherwise absolves issuing company * therefor.' supra, similar provision sustained Idaho statute passenger.2 That 1904. Adams decision soon followed Boering Chesapeake Beach 193 442, 515, 742. Then 1906 came Hepburn Act pain criminal penalty prohibited common carrier subject 'free pass' except, inter alia, 'its employees families.' 34 Stat. 584, 49 U.S.C. § 1(7), U.S.C.A. 1(7). Thereafter 1914 rule applicable nonetheless gratuity though issued carrier. Charleston & W.C.R. Thompson, 234 576, 964, 1476. Kansas So. Zant, 260 459, 43 176, 348, 1923 hl d determined state Act. said, at page 468, 177, 'The passes, its sanction penalties, regulation commerce, completion determination effect passes necessary. think, therefore, entirety taken charge of, permission use, limitations conditions upon use; put another way, specialize, relation users railroad them, fact measure responsibility incurs issue, extent whom acquires, of.' 5 For years has accepted well-settled construction During long period stood unchallenged and, so far can ascertain, Congress too. Transportation 1940, 54 898, 900, seq., comprehensive revision statutes part. Amendments were made free-pass permit transportation additional classes persons.3 No other amendments made. reenacted without further change qualification. history do reach what give writing clean slate. should rely always difficult frequently troubled many fields varied results. Girouard United States, 328 61, 69, 70, 66 826, 829, 830, 90 1084; Helvering Hallock, 309 106, 119, 123, 60 444, 451, 453, 84 604, 125 1368. setting case, find plus reenactment established interpretation most persuasive indications Zant cases become part warp woof legislation. Missouri Ross, 299 72, 75, 57 60, 62, 81 46; States Elgin, J. E.R. 298 492, 500, 56 841, 843, 80 1300; Ryan, 284 167, 175, 52 65, 68, 76 224; Hecht Malley, 265 144, 153, 44 462, 465, 949; Electric Storage Battery Shimadzu, 307 14, 675, 681, 1071. Any conflicts governing must way virtue Supremacy Clause. commerce 'to determint ion necessary.' (260 177.) Thus there no room application phase case. arose court; declaration 'general commercial law' '(the) incidents consequences' controlled act exclusion laws policies.' 469, 178, 348. 6 contend panel selected drawn contrary Thiel Southern 217, 984, 1181, 166 1412. stop inquire into merits claim. objection first time motion new trial. seems afterthought, few weeks If effort retrieve position forsaken when take gamble existing panel. either comes too late. Queenan Oklahoma, 190 548, 552, 23 762, 764, 47 1175. 7 Affirmed. 8 BLACK, MURPHY RUTLEDGE join, dissenting. 9 permits responsible passenger's death, rides containing attempted waiver pays fare money. Because I believe govern reverse judgment. think affirmance judgment equally wrong be considered governed wholly law, both entrenched long-existing power states, including provide deaths complaint alleged. here barrier based grounded judge-made announced year 1904 laid down stipulation validly exempt itself negligent injuries inflicted within passengers carried gratuitously. Creation authority then exercised, repudiated 1938 1487, whereby passing questions controlling legislative enactment declared court's notion wise public policy, independently decisions. 11 This several times creation repudiation Court's create 1938—the last having employee's question, 'federal' entirely reliance old rule. Since Erie-Tompkins 1938, since 1923, never applied until today. Now federally created judicially post-Erie-Tompkins purely law. While may look pre-Erie-Tompkins 'as convenient source reference fashioning' u le, Clearfield Trust 363, 367, 573, 575, 838, not, does here, automatically accept rule, appraisal soundness day conditions. here. questionable enough environment, my critically examined abandoned incongruous pattern our modern society embodied enactments. 12 Furthermore, even original narrow scope, marked departure philosophy previous One subsequent line decisions tended limit rule's scope expand it. Today's expands beyond point before reached. As indicated, obstacle execution congressional policies statutes. removed fashioned event certainly cover facts 13 I. noted outset tort largely judges, according ideas many. judges make rules seem they keep minds open order exercise continuing helpful supervision over manner serve public. Experience prove all, originally sound, unsuited physical social developed dynamic society. A revaluation economic interests affected reveal unwisdom expansion imperatively require abandonment. 14 uncritical today me undesirable uncertain emphasizes inherent dangers pointed out eminent legal commentator field Professor Bohlen, Studies Law Torts, 610-611 (1926), about 'dangers' court-made standards: undue rigidity results unfortunate feeling, which, absolutely eternally valid *. To regard standard conduct fixed immutable because announced, however just necessary time, scandal hissing future.'1 15 II. 1944, Francis, age 30, wife, 29, three children, ages 3, 6, 8, lived Carlin, Nevada. conductor brakeman Pacifc Company. His father, Ray E. served capacity 35 years. elder wife Ogden, young family visited them Christmas week. early morning December 31, boarded train Ogden bound Carlin. took seats rear car. Both husband employee. Each contained printed assumed 'all person' absolved 'from short distance still engine cars crashed Husband killed. 16 two suits grandparents guardians parents' deaths. actions passed provides remedies railroads negligently injuring killing passengers, railroads. Whether dependents shall circumstances left occurred. See, e.g., Chicago, R.I. P.R. Maucher, 248 359, 39 108, 294. also collected 428—435. 17 states did generally authorize Their omission due traditional 'common hostility recoveries provoked much lay criticism, echoes found cited below.2 About middle century, 'dissatisfaction archaisms law,' legislatures began abolish specifically authorizing now Beeck Sabine Towing 300 342, 346, 351, 452, 454, 456, 685. So strong Utah's antipathy attitude art. XVI, Constitution forbids legislature abrogate suit enacted accordance constitutional policy. Code Ann. 104—3—11 (1943). And involving said 'It misfortune grudging process exemplify perpetuate very evils remedied' pages 350, 18 count negligence; gross Either type justify statute. claimed statute, liability, any, springs Spokane I.E.R. Whitley, 237 487, 494, 495, 655, 656, 1060, L.R.A.1915F, 736. Under defeated ground stipulated assume injury. charged jury, however, opinions exemption 'for negligence.' affirmed bs cases. 813, 816. notwithstanding ago Court, declaring rejected contention following language: argued that, ticket pass, gratuitously possessed, thereon, defendant escape plaintiff (right) contention.' Williams Oregon Short Line 1898, 210, 221, P. 991, 994, 72 Am.St.Rep. 777. Houtz 33 179, 93 441, L.R.A.,N.S., 628; Hansen 55 577, 581, 582, 188 852, 854. recognized acted 'when accepts passenger, permitted deny owes him duty diligence, prudence, skill carrying employment, performance duty, resulting injury, urging commission issued, gratuitous carriage him, violation law.' Schuyler, 227 601, 609, 610, 277, 279, 662, 901.3 19 Schuyler free, although assuming member group lawfully deprive violated it, 'of benefit protection state,' 'such violator' 'a human being, whose safety (railroad) undertaken charge.' violators act, state. 'was being today's denied compel bar 20 III. What law? Where emanate constrains mr its, these parents? 'negligently killed' affirms award 'ordinary negligence' railroad. 21 points records single shred evidence ever directly indirectly, explicitly impliedly, Act, authorized contract legally pass. expanded form actually judicial product days Swift Tyson, 1842, Pet. 1, 865, invoked transcendental body outside particular using independent was.' Holmes, J., dissenting, Black White Taxicab Transfer Brown Yellow 276 518, 533, 404, 409, 426. 22 already out, toto 'transcendental' courts. see perpetuates strengthens Tyson doctrine, rests foundation than completely adoption 'independent judgment.' indeed, offensive 'moral sense,' injured rode guest basis cautiously advance risks An investigation evolution 'rule' beginning broader will demonstrate, believe, rooted now, 1904, nothing 'transcendental source. IV. background throws light origin. 1852 unable difference kind owed paying non-paying passengers; 'public policy safety' greatest possible care diligence' less entitled recover. Philadelphia Reading Derby, How. 485, 486, 502.4 principle reaffirmed next water resting sound principles Steamboat New World King, 474, 1019; York Cent. Lockwood, Wall. 357, 382, 383, 627. 1873, elaborate well-reasoned interest stipulate themselves agents, goods 'special force latter.' 384, Lockwood drover traveling cattle; reserved apply strictly passenger. Four later reasoning railroad-designated finding consideration 'matter charity' 'mere gratuity.' Grand Trunk Canada Stevens, 95 658 660, 535. Stevens plainly stand derived 'free,' railroad's regardless stipulations refused follow York, accident occurred, instead, expressly 368, Milwaukee St. Solan, 169 133, 136, 137, 289, 290, 42 688. Out emerged relied 25 V. doctrine 742, bear internal proof rested ground. treated newly more special exception effects device 'free' 26 bearing origin, importance outlawed political There existed widespread use 'strictly free' well free.' deceased, lawyer employed gave Many believed, shown influence men favor failroads expense good. Consequently, givers distinguished employees' bad repute. reflect sentiment. spotlighted 'those gratuities acts hospitality' contracts incident riding. cases, money paid passage, neither carefully operated system outweigh sanctity considerations; contracts, particularly obtain transportation, given greater weight public's safe transportation.5 alike turned let fl low appearance statement 'warp woof' 27 1476, 1914, eight passage had, certain exceptions, issuance her Georgia requiring went hold families, different category 'purely gratuitous' passengers. regarded members partial compensation services, reason persons harsh applied. Ga.App. 528, S.E. 1097. reversed, saying 965, main whether, means says.' ridden fact, 'pass statute,' thereby treating stating except referred 'free.' Norfolk Chatman, 244 276, 281, 37 499, 501, 61 1131, L.R.A.1917F, 1128. upheld latter holding. Instead 'As validity stipulations' 'established court,' discover Congress; power. 28 'incidents raise question. 901; Chicago repeated again explanation why. construing wrong. (1923), intimate employee-pass separate class, impuniy . degrade level fasioned agreed declare result questioned 1923. fifteen prior typified ten salutary step. 29 applying neutralizes decision. leaves standing fallen governed. 'none need remained 'law state' 'changed legislature.' Hence, Swift-Tyson repudiated, own man's parents broad recoveries. court-announced 'commercial poor excuse indeed depriving exercising control Of course constrict powers statutory interpretations. Federal Trade Comm. Bunte Bros., 312 349, 580, 85 881. absence place equivalent loud warning refrain encroaching 30 VI. Congress, aware changed Indulging moment fiction knows means, why survive Tompkins? deceased extended those children? venture suggestion shocking closest touch legislation, told 'silence' step trend legislation past quarter century. some committees close liaison agencies matters, reasonable awareness relevant administrative assumption known deliberately alone favored archaic doctrine.6 reject idea approved none century indicates 31 VII. Act's shows hostile purpose permitting penalized employees, seen reading portions Congressional Record committee reports below.7 brief summary shows: 32 Prior 1906, grew up demand people cease discriminating shippers others favors officials agencies. Public unions bargaining agreements Congressmen spoke bill inducement work Passes spoken discussed House Senate floors employees. important treated. At conference report recommended houses prohibited. 40 Cong.Rec. 7741. debates indicate failed employees—not spirit giving alms beggars politicians, requite faithful work. senator congressman discussing heard mention conceded purposes bore relation, remotely, fares. Even acquainted thought remote liabilt y subsequently penalize ride undermines mind approving long-standing practice perverts advantage saved making makes traps VIII. Moreover, subjection hazards uncompensated war basic expression industrial Employers' acts, insurance government various host premise accidentally great concern. erased every vestige fellow servant doctrines suffered employment. Tiller Atlantic Coast 54, 143 967. analogy tort-law pressed briefs emphatically kinds Liability Duncan 422, 575. All made, departed abide stipulations8 industrially attempts aged, unemployed, crippled disabled, machine. President Directors Georgetown College Hughes, U.S.App.D.C. 130 810, 822—825; Interstate Commerce Comm'n Railway Labor Assn., 373, 376—378, 717, 719, 720, 904. regulatory payment borne supported governmental institutions. allowance best meet problems beside point. generally, Utah's, thinking possibility pay cautious.9 Perhaps wasteful manner. adopt method meeting problem, handicap states. substitute laws; cannot. 36 IX. full passage. likely include better able financially groups These addition railroads; ministers religion; Young Mens Christian Association workers; inmates eleemosynary institutions; indigent, destitute, homeless persons; disabled soldiers; analogous categories. takes above laws, ignores signs erected opposite direction. Assuming consequences defective woven clashes congressionally fabric design. motley pattern. restore argument advanced narrowly carriage, unquestioningly challenged. When precedent support court-fashioned creator destroy 38 raised Neither nor today, penalizing father's children. extend dubious doctrine. 'right proceed wrongdoer available prosecuted suit.' On rehearing eliminated substituted: 'Under 189 701. deviation construed supports Mellon Goodyear, 277 335, 344, 345, 541, 544, 906. Hence deem appropriate remand intervening Huddleston Dwyer, 322 232, 64 1015, 88 1246. 411, 513: railway hire. waived exact compensation. offered privilege coaches He obliged terms. equal footing. desired obligations compelled receive carry him. freely voluntarily chose offered; privilege, repudiate benevolent association, doing business profit; induce element controls, party enter into, yet each liberty make, thereby.' H.R.Rep. 2016, 76th Cong., 3d Sess., p. 59. Cardozo quest unvarying eternal certainty law: 'I spirit, bench, how trackless ocean embarked. sought certainty. oppressed disheartened futile gone by, reflected nature process, reconciled uncertainty, grown inevitable. highest reaches discovery, creation; doubts misgivings, hopes fears, travail mind, pangs birth, expire, born.' Nature Judicial Process, Benjamin N. Cardozo, 166—67 (1921). 'Somewhere worship exaltation present, path found.' Id. 160. Amburg Vicksburg, S. La.Ann. 650, 651, Am.Rep. 517, 518; Rowe Richards, S.D. 201, 206, 207, 151 N.W. 1001, 1003, L.R.A.1915E, 1075, Ann.Cas.1918A, 294; Salsedo Palmer, 278 F. 92, 94; Maney B. Q.R. Ill.App. 105, 112, 113. discussion statutes, annotations; 1095, 1163, 1262; L.R.A., N.S., 176. recent harmony but, amended reharing, limited simply 'wrongful' mean barter away beneficiary's rights. read us, 'an ensued.' opinion, purport point, presented 'plain error' clearly 'is Legislature claim employer, dies employer.' Halling Industrial 71 120, 121, 263 78, 80, 81. said: '* true, distinction taken, simple latter. call define (if capable definition,) 'When undertake convey powerful dangerous agency steam, diligence. pecuniary otherwise, personal sport chance careless agents. deserve epithet 'gross." note appended reported 627 cites authority. Muldoon Seattle L.R.A. 794; Walther 159 Cal. 769, 116 51, 235; Atchison, T. S.F. Ry. Smith, Okl. 157, 132 Ann.Cas. 623. 899, eligible passes.' language used indicats knowledge existence approval Far indicating acquiesce reduced protection, 7(2)(f) 5(2)(f), provided extraordinary jobs mergers consolidations. Sen.Rep.No.433, 1st 4, 21; H.R.No.2832, 68—69; Executives 379, 380, 721, 7741, 7851—7852, 7920—7940, 7978—7998. typical sentiment employees: 'While am feet opportunity amendment received, Senators have, telegrams organizations protesting incorporated prevent supplied accepting transportation. discuss fully discussed. wish agree ought enact would, judgment, perpetrating injustice people. Senator Wisconsin (Mr. Spooner) yesterday, enters partly moral privilege.' 7981. id. 7984—7985. Sen.Rep.No.1242, 59th Views Tillman Newlands, pp. 10, 16; Sharfman, Commission (1931); Sassaman Pennsylvania 950, 956 nn. 8. statement: reached conforms sense justly holds hospitality perform granted.' 516, Railroad Jacobus C.R. Minn. 125, 130, 360: 'Whether hire, merely r atuitous conditional instance, citizen obviously same. stringent carrier, rigidly enforced, approximately perfect passenger.'

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