Legal Document

396 U.S. 162 90 Supreme Court Reporter 309 24 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 340 CITY OF CHICAGO, et al., Appellants,v.UNITED STATES al. Appellants, versus UNITED Nos. 101 and 102. Argued Nov. 20, 1969. Decided Dec. 9, Gordon Pacific KF135 P2 MacDougall Howard E. Shapiro, Washington, D.C., for appellants. James W. Hoeland, Louisville, Ky., appellees. Mr. Justice DOUGLAS delivered the opinion of Court. 1 The question in these cases is whether orders Interstate Commerce Commission discontinuing investigations respecting notice rail carriers to terminate or change operation services interstate passenger trains are judicially reviewable on complaint aggrieved persons. 2 Section 13a(1) Act, as amended, 72 Statutes-at-Large 571, 49 Code KF62 § 13a(1), provides, with details not important here, that a carrier may file such discontinuance within 30 days make an investigation proposed change. Apart from interim relief, order continuance service period exceed one year.1 One present involves two between Chicago Evansville, Indiana, discontinued by & Eastern Illinois Railroad Co., 331 I.C.C. 447, other New Orleans Cincinnati Louisville Nashville 333 720. 3 In each case Commission, addressing itself standards found continued was required public convenience necessity would unduly burden commerce. It thereupon entered terminating its discontinuance. 4 Appellants case—cities, state regulatory agencies, interested parties—brought suits before same three-judge court review Commission's decisions. provided 28 1336(a): 5 'Except otherwise Act Congress, district courts shall have jurisdiction any civil action enforce, enjoin, set aside, annul suspend, whole part, Commission.' 6 District held decisions under 'orders' meaning 1336(a).2 294 F.Supp. 1103, 1106. here direct appeal, §§ 1253, 2325, we noted probable jurisdiction. 395 957, 89 2103, 23 744. 7 As stated Abbott Laboratories Gardner, 387 136, 140, 87 1507, 1510, 18 681, start presumption persons obtain administrative unless there 'persuasive reason believe' Congress had no purpose. Certainly carrier, if overruled could review. We can find talismanic sign indicating desired deny opponents discontinuances alone. 8 13a form came into 1958 designed supersede prior confused time-consuming procedure which supervised trains. Accordingly, uniform federal scheme take place former procedure.3 A single standard govern train intrastate, though made somewhat different intrastate trains.4 But final say 'precisely substantive standard' now governs either operations. Southern R. company North Carolina, 376 93, 103, 84 564, 570. 9 Whether should course discretion, matter reviewable. Jersey States, 168 324, aff'd, Bergen County 359 27, 79 607, 625. when undertakes investigate, it statutory mandate: 10 'Whenever be said duty report writing respect thereto, conclusions together decision, order, requirement premises; * *.' 14(1). 11 decision investigate indicates substantial exists standards. therefore deals merits. cannot answer allowed agency 'action,' while saying reverse 'inaction.' technical irrelevant. deciding kin 'negative orders'5 dealt Rochester Telephone Corporation 307 125, 142—143, 59 754, 763 764, 83 L.Ed. 1147: 12 'An dismissing merits maintaining status quo exercise function, more less, than directing some status. nature issues foreclosed left open, so far reviewing power concerned, same. conclude, therefore, distinction, such, 'negative' 'affirmative' orders, touchstone serves useful purpose, insofar earlier been controlled this they longer guiding.' 13 reasoned since 'the statute self-implementing,' only 'order' requiring F.Supp., at theory vintage discarded Telephone. 14 Reversed. 13a(2), applicable trains, provides where State bars train, authority has acted carrier's application 120 days, petition grant authority. There conflict among Courts. Minnesota 238 107 (D.C.Minn.), Hampshire Boston Maine Corp., 251 421 (D.C.N.H.), accord instant cases. Opposed view Vermont 269 80 (D.C.Vt.), York 299 989 (D.C.N.D.N.Y.), see City Williamsport 273 899, 282 46 (D.C.N.D.Pa.), 392 642, 88 2286, 20 1348. 'Without reciting individual subcommittee satisfied bodies all too often excessively conservative repressive maintenance uneconomic unnecessary facilities. Even allowing facility, groups frequently delayed beyond reasonable time limit. many cases, commissions shown definite lack appreciation serious impact railroad's financial condition resulting prolonged loss-producing 'To improve situation, proposes give field facilities similar over rates section called upon do deal matters impose undue This, believes, protect further broad interest sound transportation system prevent importance being attached local nature.' S.Rep. Number 1647, 85th Cong., Sess., 22. For legislative history 100 568—570, 541. See n. 1, supra. Administrative Procedure 551(6), 1964 ed., Supp. IV), defines including 'a disposition' action. And kind subject judicial 551(13), 701(b)(2), 702 (1964 IV). When new rates, own initiative without suspension rates. 15(7). Where finds lawful, reads: '(T)he proceedings (are) discontinued.' Central Motor Carriers Assn. Baltimore O.R. 314 5, 51. Such Cooper-Jarrett, Incorporated 226 318, 379 6, 85 49, 21.

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