Document: 361 U.S. 78 80 S.Ct. 12 4 L.Ed.2d 25 UNITED STATES of America, Petitioner,v.SEABOARD AIR LINE RAILROAD COMPANY. No. 10. Argued Oct. 19, 1959. Decided Nov. 9, Mr. John F. Davis, Washington, D.C., for petitioner. Eppa Hunton, IV, Richmond, Va., respondent. Justice DOUGLAS delivered the opinion Court. 1 This is a suit statutory penalties, instituted by United States, charging respondent with operation four trains in violation Safety Appliance Act, 27 Stat. 531, as amended, 32 943, 45 U.S.C. §§ 1, 6, U.S.C.A. 9. That Act requires every 'train' moving interstate traffic1 to have power brakes on not less than 50% cars (§§ 9)—a requirement which Interstate Commerce Commission regulation has increased 85%. 49 CFR § 132.1. The penalties are $100 each violation.2 6. 2 District Court rendered judgment and Appeals affirmed divided vote. 258 F.2d 262. We granted petition writ certiorari because seeming conflict between that ruling our prior decisions. 358 926, 79 319, 3 301. Respondent 'classification or assembly yard' Hopewell, Virginia. Trains from Hopewell use it breaking up incoming assembling into outgoing trains. A track extends this 'classification' yard about two miles through city. In stretch tracks make an interchange connection another railroad cross, at grade, five streets, private roads railroad. Nine spur branch off these industrial sidings. About plants Allied Chemical & Dye Company Continental Can Company. complaint charged violations: First, locomotive 26 single unit, without stops, yard. Second, 28 Chemical. Third, 29 near mile where was detached, coupled 20 additional cars, then recoupled cars. were hauled, Fourth, 23 Can.3 5 meaning word used been before times. States v. Erie R. Co., 237 402, 35 621, 59 L.Ed. 1019, recognized while 'switching operations' movements within movement one same carrier covered. It emphasized movement, like other main-line movements, took over switches traffic exposed hazards against designed afford protection. result reached Chicago, B. Q.R. 410, 634, 635, 1023, transfer trains, shifting Kansas City opposite side Missouri River. again 'not isolated devoted switching operations,' but line there great operation. Id., 412, Louisville Jeffersonville Bridge Co. 249 534, 39 355, 63 757, involved three-quarters company's terminal another, passing city along tracks. Court, holding covered 'a sorting, selecting, classifying' 'involving coupling uncoupling, few time short distances,' involving typical gave rise need Act. 538, 356. Northern Pacific 254 251, 41 101, 65 249, so-called running points, apart, contended did apply no local moved cross streets grade; run stops miles. held 'A attached provision act only when train; switching, classifying yards purpose making trains.' 254—255, 102. 6 think case, judged principles announced earlier four, erroneously decided. 7 end trip characteristic usual freight run: either received consignor consignee. 'sorting, distances' (Louisville supra, 356) nor any type comparable 'switching.' three stops. one, stop pick cars; preceded uninterrupted travel followed it. decisions clear immaterial main fact likewise irrelevant test. may properly be said true 'switching' But cars—at least substantial number—are being consignors consignees assembled unit engine moves distance, intrinsically different, purposes haul. 8 found 'The complained would hazardous employees public if air had used.' Yet courts determine particular cases whether safety measure needed. Congress determined policy governs us applying law. Traditionally, distances crossing highways lines attendant risks public. More important, they those who ride trains,4 particularly men operate them. History showed hundreds workers injured killed stopping unbraked hand brakes, couplers. history, well known Congress,5 primary behind legislation. therefore, should liberally construed measure. Movements which, though miniature compared hauls, characteristics customary its included. 9 Reversed. Section provides, relevant part: 'It shall unlawful common engaged commerce equipped * appliances operating train-brake system, train such sufficient number so engineer drawing can control speed requiring brakemen brake purpose.' statute amended August 14, 1957, increase penalty $250 (71 352, U.S.C.(Supp. V) 6). since 1951 after inspectors advised necessary do so. discontinued practice 1956, justifying discontinuance ground involved, caused delay 40 minutes annual cost $30,000. title original described 'An promote travelers upon railroads *' etc. 531. See H.R.Rep. 1678, 52d Cong., 1st Sess., p. 3, noted years 1889 1890 '38 per cent total deaths 46 injuries sustained railway employe s, resulted setting brakes.' On page report subcommittee submitted part S.Rep. 1930, 57th following statement witness appearing made: 'If portion operated, trainmen danger arising breakage hose, braked, causes instantaneous extremely powerful application front quickly slacken stop, them, rush forward thus causing severe shock, often wrecks jars injures some fall under wheels killed. If all operated so, applied equally train, rear their just end, prevent producing shock described. There way escape injuries, still required companies out tops shocks comes, comes them warning, noise together darkness night, prevents detecting trouble ahead. 'Wrecks cause injury wrecked, also double-tracked immediately blocked wrecked endangering lives limbs trainmen, passengers well, approaching track, stopped striking obstruction. I personally know several bad character myself.'

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