Document: 400 U.S. 8 91 S.Ct. 18 27 L.Ed.2d 9 UNITED STATES et al., Appellants,v.CITY OF CHICAGO al. Appellants, v. TENNESSEE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION LOUISVILLE & NASHVILLE RAILROAD COMPANY, Appellant, EASTERN ILLINOIS CITY Nos. 386, 387, 396 and 410. Oct. 19, 1970. Rehearings Denied Dec. 7, See 953, 232, 233. PER CURIAM. 1 These cases are a sequel to our decision in City of Chicago United States, 162, 90 309, 24 340, last Term. The Eastern Illinois Railroad (C&EI) filed notice under § 13a(1) the Interstate Commerce Act, 72 Stat. 571, 49 U.S.C. 13a(1), proposing discontinue pair trains known as 'Georgian,' operated by it between Chicago, Illinois, Evansville, Indiana, conjunction with Louisville Nashville (L&N) Atlanta, Georgia, crossing Kentucky Tennessee en route. Part this litigation grows out ICC's approval C&EI's discontinuance Chicago-Evansville segment evidenced its termination investigation. 2 L&N also operates 'Hummingbird' Cincinnati, Ohio, New Orleans, Louisiana. connects 'Georgian' at Nashville, Tennessee, where coaches sleepers transferred two trains. Following discontinuance, served 'Hummingbird'1 which ICC approved. 3 In supra, we held that decisions such an investigation were reviewable remanded back District Court. That court then ordered consolidation for further hearings, holding C&EI on Governors Indiana every station along run was inadequate because people Kentucky, those States not notified. close relationship 'Georgian.' appeals followed. 4 We note jurisdiction reverse. Section provides: 5 'A carrier or carriers subject part, if their rights respect change * operation service any train provision constitution statutes State shall mail Governor each operated, post station, depot other facility thereby, proposed change.' 6 This section, read it, required give only line now controversy has operated. No is made connecting railroads might be affected discontinuance. 7 dissent finds ambiguity phrase 'such train' 13a(1). It argued interpretations possible: either Evansville Atlanta. By allowing however, must have interpreted refer one railroad only; before time. Commission ruled that: 'Copies notices duly posted manner section rules regulations thereunder.'2 331 I.C.C. 447, 448. defer issue definition 'train' given administrative agency oversight problem. See, e.g. Udall Tallman, 380 1, 16—17, 85 792, 801—802, 13 616; Bowles Seminole Rock Sand Co., 325 410, 417—418, 65 1215, 1218—1219, 89 L.Ed. 1700. true functioned harmony. Discontinuance substantial effect other. But unique railroading. Congress unaware mutual interdependence railroads. designed federal regulatory system displaced state when could defeat carrier's attempt train. Hence think distorts treat so require giving had no power over carrier.3 Accordingly, 386 410 reversed. Since 387 solely relation causes Court review questions merits may remain unresolved. 10 ordered. 11 Reversed remanded. 12 Mr. Justice HARLAN, whom BLACK joins, dissenting. I these do lend themselves summary disposition. 14 Co. Louisiville jointly provided passenger Georgia. At terminal points run, companies switched engines crews; passengers, cars continue through end run. sought portion run; proceedings residents Evansville-Atlanta After remand 340 (1969), should been all Court, summarily reverses decision, requires seeking having authority carrier.1 15 issue, my opinion, justifying resolution, examination Court's opinion indicates. relies first instance absence explicit Act 'connecting railroads.' However, statutory question manifestly highly ambiguous regard scope obligation situations carriers, though different authorities, offer services public which, from consumer standpoint, indistinguishable offered single carrier. provides relevant part: 16 change, whole operating point regulation order (or proceeding pending before) State, may, but to, file Commission, upon filing least thirty days advance discontinauance change. *' 17 Appellants argue since accords right commence authority, requirement limited reach rise, instance, go ICC. Appellees contend geared areas merely reached State's For find language structure singularly opaque; am aided choice competing constructions observation makes view structural linguistic provision, reliance reference arrangements sort would carry weight legislative policy underlying solidly supported result today. Lacking that, description congressional n. ante, 11, hardly warrants inference text purpose underpinning limitation requirements according ICC.2 Indeed, concern parochialism, resulting burden interstate commerce caused economically wasteful arrangements, equal force interpretation reaching beyond relatively narrow parochial interests likely called forth particular participation hearing multicarrier service. 19 Apparently, recognizes inherent statute. Thus, finally comes rest principle deference agency's construction Suffice say persuaded argument applied pro forma finding adequate very evidently time ruling. 20 above considerations meant reflect conclusions concerning presented cases. To contrary, simply without briefs oral parties question, refrain choosing conflicting pressed parties. Therefore, probable withhold action No. dispositions 396, jurisdiction, reinstating restraining September 6, 1968. adequacy raised here. '(a) certificate (stating) copy mailed body ferry operated.' (49 CFR 143.5(j), formerly 43.5(j) (see 32 Fed.Reg. 5606)). Until 1958 discontinuances appropriate knew financial difficulties concluded problem removed setting agencies too often 'maintenance uneconomic unnecessary facilities.' S.Rep. 1647, 85th Cong., 2d Sess., 22. vested aware national transportation problems need. generally Southern R. North Carolina, 376 93, 84 564, 541 (1964). put Association American Railroads described follows: '(S)uch matters commissions abandonments obtained within procedures operate.' Problems Railroads, Hearings Subcommittee Surface Transportation Senate Committee Foreign Commerce, pt. p. 25 (Jan. 13, 1958). legislation responsive need easily construed more than track question. Government, ICC, challenging issues involving Co.'s factually related light projected reconsideration addition, challenges 1968, entered Judge Robson; prohibited resolution case On April 3, 1970, stayed earlier order. 397 1019, 1255, 529. today's status unclear. disconnected nature reasoning nicely illustrated 11. quotations—one Report Railroads—as history supporting substance both clearly supports remedy parochialism. Unfortunately, neither quotation speaks rationale disposing cases; i.e., whether proffer alternative forum parochialism interest escaping agencies. Yet after reciting quotations, chooses draw statute cannot serve carriers. respectfully submit rather obvious non sequitur.

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