Legal Document

350 U.S. 409 76 Supreme Court Reporter 461 100 L.Ed. 482 UNITED STATES of America and Interstate Commerce Commission, Appellants,v.CONTRACT STEEL CARRIERS, Incorporated Number 102. Argued Feb. 29, 1956. Decided March 12, Mr. Charles Federal KF105 F3 Barber, Washington, D.C., for appellants. Robert N. Burchmore, Chicago, Ill., appellees. PER CURIAM. 1 The Commission brings an appeal from a three-judge district court, 49 United States Code KF62 § 305(g), Annotated KF65 U5 that reversed order the ICC, 62 M.C.C. 413, directing appellee Contract Steel Carriers to cease operations as common carrier by motor vehicle. 128 F.Supp. 25. 2 Appellee holds licenses covering different areas surrounding Houston, St. Louis. As these are substantially in same form, single illustration will suffice. It covers contract carriage 'Steel articles, such materials used or useful highway construction projects, except cement, rock, sand, gravel, over irregular routes, connection with said carrier's presently authorized operations, 3 'From points places Ill. Commercial Zone, defined 673, Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, return no transportation compensation.' MC 96505 SUB 6. 4 facts fully set out reports referred above. In essence they show appellee, active solicitation 1951 1954 mentioned, had secured 69 contracts serve shippers. These been filed there is charge any violation restrictions license requirements individual has held itself its actions be carrier.1 5 found this holdingout advertisement, run without legal advice since discontinued, offering service mentioning whether it was carriage. also charged 6 '* * great increase number attributable large degree aggressive sales activities affirmative precontract traffic solicitation, which amounts public offer holding out. connection, asserted defendant maintained employee Des Moines, whose duties included traffic. There evidence business lost interveners after representative called upon receivers steel leaving copy defendant's schedule minimum rates charges, blank executed shippers.' 414 415. concluded Commission: 7 'Although here meager some respects, reveal pattern extraordinary expansion period approximately 8 months easy turnover thereafter. We believe ample brought about, extent at least, indiscriminate advertising, among other things.' Id., 421. Craig Carrier Application, 31 705, 712, ICC stated services must specialized. A requirement specialization supported respectable legislative history. See, e.g., 79 Cong.Rec. 5651. case not sufficiently specialized operation. However, we conclude if read into 303(a)(15), 303(a) (15) history, satisfied hauls only strictly limited types products under continuing contractual agreements comparatively small shippers throughout area. 9 hold fact actively solicited within bounds his does support finding 'holding general public.' free aggressively search new limits license.2 Because ICC's record contrary definitions carriers 303(14) (15), affirm District Court. 10 Affirmed. 11 Justice FRANKFURTER, whom HARLAN joins, dissenting. 12 Motor Act, Statutes-at-Large 543, 544, 303(a)(14), gives term "common vehicle" classic meaning 'common carrier' acquired during course centuries. short, test what Act history established test, do find departed test. cannot evidence, disclosed record, need recited, appeared common-law action against respondent, court would justified taking jury, jury verdict allowed stand. respondent carrier,' therefore subject regulatory provisions ought have less weight than jury's verdict. Accordingly, issues raised reached, reverse judgment below. one 'which engage vehicle passengers property.' 'person which, agreements, engages in' transportation. 303(a)(14, 15), 15). 'Provided, however, That terms, conditions, limitations shall restrict right substitute add scope permit, equipment facilities, development demands may require.' 309(b), 309(b).

Classification Label: 7