Legal Document

393 U.S. 186 89 Supreme Court Reporter 354 21 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 334 UNIVERSAL INTERPRETIVE SHUTTLE CORPORATION, Petitioner,v.WASHINGTON METROPOLITAN AREA TRANSIT COMMISSION et al. Number 19. Argued Oct. 21, 22, 1968. Decided Nov. 25, Jeffrey L. Nagin, Beverly Hills, Cal., for petitioner. Russell W. Cunningham, Arlington, Va., and Manuel Judge Davis, Washington, D.C., respondents. Clyde O. Martz, States, as amicus curiae, by special leave of Court. Mr. Justice WHITE delivered the opinion 1 The Secretary Interior is responsible maintaining our national parks, providing facilities services their public enjoyment through concessionaires or otherwise.1 In meeting this responsibility, he has contracted petitioner to conduct guided tours Mall, a grassy park located in center City Washington studded with monuments museums. Visitors Mall may board petitioner's open 'minibuses' which travel among various points interest at speeds under 10 miles per hour. Guides on bases certain stationary locations describe sights. debark tour museums, boarding later bus return point departure. 2 Suit was brought Metropolitan Area Transit Commission (hereafter WMATC) enjoin from conducting without certificate convenience necessity WMATC. Carriers permitted WMATC provide mass transit sightseeing intervened plaintiffs, appeared curiae. concessionaire contend that Secretary's authority over lands, particular his grant 'exclusive charge control' dating 1898,2 permit him contract service interference. carriers argue interstate compact created implicitly limited gave rise dual jurisdiction these One carrier, D.C. System, Inc., also argues its franchise limits power. detailed District dismissed suit. Appeals reversed opinion, 129 U.S.App.D.C. 59, 390 Federal Reporter, 2nd 474. We granted certiorari, 943. 88 1040, 19 1131 and, having heard case examined web statutes it turns, we reverse, finding exclusive undiminished creating charter private company. I. 3 That substantial power undisputed. parties agree free enter into question. They exclude traffic altogether, selectively any carrier licensed following instructions. Moreover, could operate himself need obtain permission anyone.3 Yet before be exercised concessionaire, consent must obtained. 4 This interpretation involved would result regulatory overlapping most fundamental matters. empowered statute 'contract * provided parks required administration National Park Service *.' Act May 26, 1930, chapter 324, § 3, 46 Statutes-at-Large 382, 16 Code KF62 17b. 'to encourage enable persons corporations deems desirable Public Law 249, 2, 79 969, 20a (1964 ed., Supp. III). Congress well aware include transportation. Hearings H.R. 5796, 5872, 5873, 5886, 5887 Subcommittee Parks House Committee Insular Affairs, 88th Cong., Sess., 151—159 (1964). concluded there motorized, grounds control, fit it. 5 WMATC, however, asserts decide whether serves 'public necessity,' require 'conform requirements Commission' 'terms conditions' impose. 86—794, Tit. II, Article XII, 4(b), 74 1037. leaves tour's route but specify 'service rendered routes which' might run within Mall. 4(d)(1), provision additional off forbid discontinuance existing service. §§ 4(e) (i), 1038, 1039. provides fare schedules, pursuant statutory regulate concessionaire's charges. 89—249, 20b have 'suspend fare, regulation, practice' depending WMATC's views financial condition, efficiency, effectiveness reasonableness rate. 6, 1040. And same section set whatever found reasonable, although profit 6 1/2% less not prohibited. given keeping records inspect those records, Comptroller General examine books every five years. 9, 971, 20g reports prescribe access kept. 10, 1042. Finally, general duties 17b, 20—20g ed. III); claim regulation rule. 15, 1045. cannot ascribe purpose subjecting two separate masters, who show outset inability presence opposite sides lawsuit. There no indication language legislative history intended divest partly wholly establishing When formed books, now, 'park system Columbia placed control Director Service.' July 1, 1898, 543, 30 570, amended, 8—108 (1967). He was, is, explicitly 'authorized make enforce all regulations vehicles traffic.' June 5, 1920, 235, 41 898, 8—109 extends sidewalks streets 'lie between said grounds.' March 4, 1909, 299, 35 994, 8—144 (1967).4 creation Utilities Commission—the predecessor interfere committed to' Service. 1925, 443, 16(b), 43 1126, 40—613 7 context established. After World War metropolitan had expanded rapidly Maryland Virginia. logistics moving vast numbers people daily round became increasingly complicated, coordinated supervision. therefore approval joint resolution an 'centralizes great degree single agency powers now shared four agencies.' S.Rep. 1906, 86th (1960). These agencies were 'the utility Virginia, Maryland, Interstate Commerce Commission.' 1031. included listing. specifically nothing 'shall affect normal ordinary police respect vehicles, use streets, highways, other vehicular *.'5 Report lists federal legislation suspended give effect compact, laws giving are list. H.R.Rep., 1621, 29—30 8 thus reason ignore principle repeals implication favored6 suspect Congress, disturbed exclusivity either extinguishing entirely transportation burdening engaged regulating precisely aspects conduct. endeavoring simplify thrust further bureaucratic morass. It established commuters workers. A minibuses, proceeding circular around than hour, stopping time sights disgorging more passengers where picked them up, quite different function.7 be, expansive, sanctuary midst metropolis; spot suitable Americans visit historical artifacts country reflect men events history. long ample develop purposes. hold been impose own subject matter. II. 9 If issue case, found, then System's protecting uncertified absolute monopoly there: lacking certify another carrier. Secretary, if right, take one. Nothing confers so rigid monopoly. Section 1(a) Transit's franchise, 757, 669, I, pt. 70 598, 'mass system.'8 does clearly shown 'charter services' 599.9 measure protects 'competitve line' 'transportation character runs fixed schedule *.'10 determining what 'competitive' one refer back sections franchise. 11 Even together protect transportation' competition, even activity, follow saves 'laws Columbia,' including D.C.Code 8—108(1967). admits Mall; so, surely protection extend there. confer both because involve impairment law contrary unreasonable construe against apply certification. 12 construed, schedule' evidently aimed commuter whose important qualities speed predictability, here interesting dialogue leisurely exposure rider new perhaps unexpected experiences. agenda will varied according day. competition sort 13 reverse judgment reinstate matter it, wishes clarify alter relationship agencies, do so. 14 Reversed remanded. 15 MARSHALL took part consideration decision case. DOUGLAS, whom STEWART concurs, dissenting. 17 again sit review decisions local courts reach confined District. versus Pace, 320 698, 702, 64 406, 408, L.Ed. 408; Busby Electric Employees Union, 323 72, 75, 65 142, 144, 78. 18 only peculiarly local; compendium variety drawn numerous sources,* judges much familiar we. No legal problem obviously peculiar posed present Traffic, movement tourists, concern government. held Interior, appropriate licensing authority. two-to-one vote did file interests better served' prompt disposition denied petition rehearing. contrariety below suggests question doubt. Certainly palpably wrong exceptional Nor enmeshed constitutional questions here. See Little, 339 n. 468, 470, 94 599; John R. Thompson Co., 346 100, 73 1007, 97 1480. 20 considerations Fisher 328 463, 476, 66 1318, 1325, 90 1382 (from quotation taken), observation: 'Matters relating enforcement entrusted Our policy rules they fashion, save situations egregious error committed. 22 'Where choice matters conflicting conclusions seems nicely balanced, interfere.' 23 described. responsibility met principally Service, August 1916, 39 535, Department Interior. Since conflict them, shall directly rather Army Chief Engineers. transferred February 339, 983, Buildings Capital. Executive Order 6166, 1933, H.R.Doc.No. 69, 73d 1st finally devolved upon called 1934, 38, 48 389. intervening contends otherwise. But position view beyond limits, however. order institute proposed Visitors' Center Union Station sought specific authorization add confirm embracing surroundings. S.Rep.No. 959, 90th 8—10 (1968). simply directed study needs entire area. 90—264, 104, 82 44 (1968); H.R.Rep.No. 810, 1050. term 'police power' vague 'embraces almost infinite subjects.' Munn Illinois, 113, 145, 24 77 (1877) (economic grain storage aspect power). broad enough embrace full range prior ordinarily ends surrounding municipalities streets. explicit recognition differences clarification adopted. 20, 48—49 E.g., Wood Pet. 342, 363, 987 (1842); FTC A.P.W. Paper 193, 202, 932, 936, 1165 (1946). undertaken Government serve Government, thought fall exemption Government. 1(a)(2), 1036. primarily designed transport 'between points' departure, excepted jurisdiction. 86 794, 1(a), 1035. find unnecessary arguments, severe throughout city. 'There hereby hire cities Alexandria Falls Church, counties Arlington Fairfax Commonwealth Virginia Montgomery Prince Georges State Provided, construed exempt Corporation ordinance political subdivision such State, rule, issued ordinance, applicable provisions prescribed thereunder.' 'The authorized engage compliance laws, subdivisions performed, 'No competitive street railway line, line schedule, issuance necessary public.' (1) principles maxims equity existed England Colonies 1776; (2) common Acts Parliament 1776 (and locally inapplicable); (3) 27, 1801 (2 103); (4) Legislative Assembly 1871 (16 419); (5) (1940 ed.), 1—24, Page IX seq.; Comp.Stat.D.C.1887—1889 Pages V—VI.

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