Document: 329 U.S. 424 67 S.Ct. 435 91 L.Ed. 396 UNITED STATES et al.v.SEATRAIN LINES, Inc. No. 61. Argued Dec. 9, 1946. Decided Jan. 6, 1947. Appeal from the District Court of United States for Delaware. Mr.Edward M. Reidy, Washington, D.C., appellants. Mr. Wilbur LaRoe, Jr., appellee. Justice BLACK delivered opinion Court. 1 Seatrain is and long has been a common carrier goods by water. Its harbor facilities vessels have constructed to enable it perform distinctive type water carriage. Loaded railroad cars can be hoisted transported in its vessels, thereby eliminating such things as trouble, time breakage, said incident loading unloading cars. See v. Pennsylvania R.R., 323 612, 65 471, 89 499. also tank space carriage liquid cargoes bulk.1 2 Part III Interstate Commerce Act, 54 Stat. 929, 49 U.S.C. § 901 seq., U.S.C.A. subjected carriers jurisdiction Commission. Section 309(a) that 909(a), required them obtain certificates public convenience necessity The same section contains proviso commonly referred grandfather clause. It provides any carrier, with an exception not here material, which was bona fide operation on January 1, 1940, shall entitled o certificate continue operations over route or routes had serving previous date without determination Commission question necessity. 3 May 28, 1941, filed two applications different routes, one operated since 1932, another begun operate 1940 shortly after passage provisions. Seatrain's application described each 'common commodities generally.' After due notice given all interested parties, Division 4 conducted investigations, satisfied itself right granted both under provisions made appropriate findings, concluded engage transportation 'a A single carry 'commodities generally between ports New York, Orleans, Texas City, way Atlantic Ocean Gulf Mexico' accordingly issued Seatrain. By terms became effective August 10, 1942, subject 'to terms, conditions, limitations are now may hereafter be, attached exercise authority Commission.' year half later, 27, 1944, Commission, own motion, ordered proceedings reopened purpose determining whether 1942 should modified so deprive generally. appeared moved vacate rescind Commission's order reopen ground statutory make alteration proposed. motion rejected. At subsequent hearing proposed modification, declined offer evidence, resting case entirely lack reconsider alter original certificate. argument, entered canceling former directing issued. 260 I.C.C. 430. new effect deprived served, limited only 'as 'Seatrain' vessel, interstate foreign commerce, bulks; empty cars; property loaded freight received rail transfer N.Y., Louisiana, Texas.' 5 then brought this action before three-judge 28 §§ 41(28), 47, set aside order. exceeded reopening proceeding altering further held even if would power circumstances certificate, done where, found evidence but expended large sums money reliance upon complete validity 64 F.Supp. 156. We need consider objection Court's admission heard we agree cancel 6 In authorizing generally' does embrace unloaded consequently actually f future chief business; issuance inadvertent error patent face record change at matter comes attention. But argues that, far restoring proceedings, results drastic limitation nature equipment service privileged employ carrying freight, could bar delivery receipt consignees except railroads. 7 determine correct clerical mistakes, persuaded certificates, information supplied indicating kinds other than railroads, findings course earlier decisions regarding Seatrain, 'inadvertent' intended correct. For these indicate prior understanding included exclude Moreover, consideration until decision Foss Launch & Tug Co., 103, decided December 18, 1943. There pointedly ruled first did authorize cars—so-called 'car-ferry service.' Thus seems apparent were mere error, execute policy announced case. This conclusion supported fact involving rejected contention classed 'car ferries,' they ocean going carriers.2 8 Since apparently more likely effort revoke modify substantially case, remains Act authorizes alterations. part general pattern grants regulate railroads motor well carriers.3 authorized issue three types carriers. specifically empowered 212(a), II, 555, 312(a), 312(a). fact, when pending Congress, spokesman, Commissioner Eastman, requested Congress include no explained while carriers' essential means enforcement section, necessary use sanctions regulation carriers.4 contended nonetheless greater where specific l, granted. ruling unless find reason carrier's out cannot orders previously made. Smith Bros. Revocation Order, 33 M.C.C. 465. 9 argued, however, partial revocation merely 309(d) fix 'terms, limitations' holders. Whether could, authority, imposed restriction utilize serve shippers best free doubt. Yet alleged finally limit certainly issuing some significance 208, 308, prescribes granting 'specify rendered' those 309 empowers grant specify 'the rendered.' Furthermore, relating 'That restrict add equipment, facilities, within scope development business demands require * *'. language seem preclude attaching conditions rendered carrier. view difference prescribe carriers, our respect5 controlling details 'terms conditions.' 10 Nor do think justified 315(c), 915(c), 'suspend, modify, manner deem proper.' That word 'order', used, describe something 'certificate' used places, clearly shown words Act. describes method obtaining it, effect, nowhere refers 'order.' 315 having reference orders, subsection (c), relied on, suspension, alteration, modification mentions 'certificate.'6 clear 'orders' 315(c) formal commands procedure rates, fares, practices, like coming authority. said, procedural antecedent time, marks end proceeding.7 granted, fixed rehearing passed, whole Congress. Consequently, properly interpreted, generally, including originally judgment affirmed. 11 Affirmed. 12 RUTLEDGE concurs result. description see Investigation Lines, Inc., 195 215, 218—222. supra; Akron C. Y. Ry., 226 7; Hoboken Manufacturers R.R. Abilene So. Ry. 248 109, Patterson dissenting, id. 120. 24 379, amended, seq. (railroads); 543, 919, 301 (motor carriers); (water carriers). Chairman Legislative Committee, reporting Senate Committee Foreign S. 2009 29, stated, 'This bill leaves 212(a) unchanged corresponding provision III. While there room argument inclined believe suspension water-carrier adequate penalty provided violation believed most many great majority small, through penal actions courts presents practical difficulties, true carriers.' Chicago, St. P., O. U.S., 322 842, 88 1093; Crescent Express Lines 320 401, 167, 127: Noble 319 88, 63 950, 87 1277. Certific te, 465; Quaker City Bus 38 603. And 316 317 916, 917, treat thing another. Certificate, supra, supra.

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