Legal Document

359 U.S. 520 79 Supreme Court Reporter 962 3 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 1003 Joseph D. BIBB, Director of the Department Public Safety State Illinois, et al., Appellants,v.NAVAJO FREIGHT LINES, INC., a New Mexico Corporation, Ringsby Truck Lines, Inc., Nebraska al. Number 94. Argued March 30, 31, 1959. Decided May 25, Mr. William C. Wines, Chicago, Ill., for appellants. David Axelrod, appellees. Justice DOUGLAS delivered opinion Court. 1 We are asked in this case to hold that an Illinois statute1 requiring use certain type rear fender mudguard on trucks and trailers operated highways conflicts with Commerce Clause Constitution. The statutory specification provides guard shall contour wheel, inside surface being relatively parallel top 90 degrees 180 whole surface.2 must extend downward within 10 inches from ground when truck is loaded its maximum legal capacity. guards be wide enough cover width protected tire, installed not more than 6 tire vehicle capacity, have lip or flange outer edge less 2 inches.3 Appellees, interstate motor carriers holding certificates Interstate Commission, challenged constitutionality Act. A specially constituted three-judge District concluded it unduly unreasonably burdened obstructed commerce, because made conventional straight mudflap, which at least 45 States, illegal statute, taken together Rule Arkansas Commission4 mudflaps, rendered same equipment both impossible. statute was declared violative appellants were enjoined enforcing it. 159 F.Supp. 385. An appeal we noted probable jurisdiction. 358 808, 26, 53. power regulate broad pervasive. recognized peculiarly local nature subject safety, upheld state statutes applicable alike intrastate despite fact they may impact commerce. South Carolina Highway Dept. versus Barnwell Bros., 303 177, 58 510, 82 L.Ed. 734; Maurer Hamilton, 309 598, 60 726, 84 969; Sproles Binford, 286 374, 52 581, 76 1167. regulation 'is akin quarantine measures, laws, like regulations rivers, harbors, piers, docks, respect has exceptional scope exercise regulatory power, which, Congress acting, been sustained even though materially interfere commerce.' Southern Pacific company Arizona, 325 761, 783, 65 1515, 1527, 89 1915. 4 These safety measures carry strong presumption validity court. If there alternative ways solving problem, do sit determine them best suited achieve valid objective. Policy decisions legislature, absent federal entry into field.5 Unless can conclude record 'the total effect law as measure reducing accidents casualties so slight problematical outweigh national interest keeping commerce free interferences seriously impede it' (Southern supra, pages 775—776, page 1523) uphold statute. 5 fond 'since impossible carrier operating will used particular area, day, days, through * required equip all their accordance requirements Splash Guard statute.' With two possible exceptions mudflaps those would meet standards by cost installing mudguards $30 per vehicle. found initial owned appellees ranged $4,500 $45,840. There also evidence indicate maintenance replacement these substantial. introduced seeking establish had decided factor prevented throwing debris faces drivers passing cars windshields following But stated 'conclusively shown mud flap possesses no advantages over previously presently most states,' (159 388) 'there rather convincing testimony creates hazards unknown using highways.' Id., 390. occasioned new tended cause accumulation heat brake drum, thus decreasing effectiveness brakes, susceptible hit bumped backed up falling off highway. 7 findings end our problem. Local weight involved increased financial burdens carriers. control nice questions judgment concerning need far issue concerned. That presented problem whether carriers, who replace keep out State, suffered unconstitutional restraint matter said one essentially legislative judgment; burden redesigning replacing proper price exact alike. And conclusion reached where prohibited any carrying other above cab head operator Cost consideration factors might relevant some cases assumed such proportions here. here only question adjusting operation prescribed sustain under authority Sproles, Barnwell, cases. result obtain if resolve much discussed issues case. 8 This presents different issue. could pass muster records reveal. faced prescribe conflict another making necessary, say, shift cargo differently designed vehicles nother line reached. related invalidated Arizona prescribing length 70 freight trains moving State. More closely point Morgan Commonwealth Virginia, 328 373, 375, 66 1050, 1052, 1317, reseating passengers busses entering Virginia order comply segregation law. Diverse seating arrangements people races imposed several interfered, concluded, uniformity travel.' 386, 1058. Those dimensions present 9 already mentioned,6 requires equipped mudflaps. Vehicles standards, vice versa. Thus trailer interchanged, causing significant delay prompt movement essence. It four hours labor install remove mudguard. Moreover, attached welding conveying explosives (e.g., Government) exceedingly dangerous attempt weld without unloading trailer. interferes 'interline' operations carriers—that interchanging between originating latter serves area served former. provide speedy through-service shipper. Interlining contemplates physical transfer entire trailer; reloading cargo. interlining process particularly vital connection shipment perishables, spoil unloaded before reaching destination, carried seal. Of course, never expected mudguards. Yet interchanged hauled require contain guards. Since operate cannot compel guards, forced cease requirements. Over percent business plaintiffs interline traffic. For constitutes 30 percent. All extensively annual mileage none exceeds mileage. 11 summary massive showing hearing. 12 Appellants did rebut appellees' severely Appellants' aimed establishing They that, reasonable police court precluded weighing relative merits against kind notwithstanding extent imposes rely main supra. languagein read isolation later suggest sufficient invalidate absence element discrimination 13 various exercises stand, however, equal footing. entitled Due Process Fourteenth Amendment. Lincoln Federal Labor Union, etc., Northwestern Co., 335 525, 69 251, 93 212; Day-Brite Lighting, Missouri, 342 421, 72 405, 96 469; Williamson Lee Optical 348 483, 75 461, 99 563. Similarly dignity measured Clause, art. 1, § 8, cl. 3. nonetheless fail survive challenges bring Supremacy play. Like (Public Utilities Commission California 355 534, 78 446, 470; Service Storage & Transfer 171, 714, 717), run afoul policy trade reflected bow. 14 cases—few number—where nondiscriminatory place especially underlined deleterious suggests matters 'admitting diversity treatment, according special conditions,' words Chief Hughes 390, 585. insists design almost sometimes great inconvenience crossing territory. Such device—out States—may compelling innovating give way. showing—balanced clear commerce—is too inconclusive make test. 15 deal absolutes but degree. legislatures plainly leeway providing vehicles—interstate well local. Our hold. heavy places seems us permissible limits regulations. 16 Affirmed. 17 HARLAN, whom STEWART joins, concurring. 18 clearly demonstrates burden, terms interference 'interlining,' In view Court, summarized 965 Court's fully justified record, mudflap 'possesses advantages' permitted indeed hazards, theory appropriate, helpful measure. Accordingly, N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions concur (effective July 1957) part provides: 'It unlawful person second division upon outside corporate city, village incorporated town unless splash specifications hereinafter provided Section; except purchased, used, prior August 1957 prevent splashing water windshield Section until January 1958. 'The wheel manner relationship tread parallel, laterally across throughout surface; clearance body directly curved portion behind center axle upwards bottom game applies, extension surface, wheel. spash full treads tires minimize side throw splash. toward perpendicular below plane guard. constructed rigid flexible material, regardless movement, either vehicle, retain general ordinary conditions.' Ill.Rev.Stats.1957, chapter 95 1/2, 218b. Motor defined 'Those pulling seven persons.' 1/2 99(b). somewhat modified exemptions light questioned see Rudolph Express Bibb, Ill.2d 76, 153 North Eastern Reporter, 2nd 820. No contention discriminates provisions apply Nor contended violates Cf. People Warren, 420, 143 28. 100, December 13, 1957. argued pre-emption field regulation. While has, pursuant 204(a) Act (49 Statutes-at-Large 546, 49 Code KF62 304(a), Annotated KF65 U5 promulgated Carrier Regulations govern foreign (see CFR, Pts. 190—197), expressly declined flaps, disclaimed intention occupy abrogate inconsistent standards. 54 M.C.C. 337, 354, 358. Note 4,

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