Court Opinion

ID: 9301327
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-12-02 17:07:41.962704+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:13:26.045543
License: Public Domain

DRUMMOND, Circuit Judge.
The question involved in this case is one of great importance, both as to the rights of railroads and those of the public. I am inclined to think that, under certain circumstances, an application may be made to a court of equity for the purpose of controlling, to some extent, the right of one railroad to cross another. If the legislature of the state has prescribed in what manner one railroad shall cross another, it may be that it would control all parties and the courts; but where the legislature has not declared in what particular way one railroad shall cross or intersect another, but has only referred to it in general terms, then, I think, within the true meaning of the act of the legislature, it may be competent for a court of equity to control the railroads as to the crossings. In this state, it may be said, in one sense, to be the policy of the state to allow a new railroad to cross the track of an old railroad, and at grade, in most instances. At the same time, the legislature has shown clearly enough that it does not intend that a railroad shall cross at grade in all instances, otherwise it would have been so stated. For the reason that I mentioned before, it is not likely the legislature ever will say so, because the topography of the particular locality where the crossing is to be made— indeed, various circumstances — control and determine how the crossing shall be made-For example, where two railroads are approaching each other, through a comparatively level country, and one is to cross the other, it may be said that, in such a case as that, ordinarily, the new railroad would have the right to cross the other at grade; not that it is universally true, but generally so-There might be, and often are, circumstances where it would not be consistent with the interests of the railroads themselves or of the public that they should cross at grade-
Now in this case, assuming that the facts are as stated, and that the new railroad (the Chicago’ & Pacific Railroad) can cross over the old railroad at so little expense as is stated, I should consider it the duty of a court of equity to require it to be done. If the old road comes into a court of equity and asks that the crossing should be so made, and there is an additional expense incurred in consequence, it may be competent for a court to say the expense shall not be wholly incurred by the new railroad company, because I adhere to the doctrine I laid down the other day in tkxe Michigan Central and Baltimore & Ohio Case, that the fact that one railroad has been constructed does not give it any absolute rights, except so far as the question of mere property is concerned, over a new railroad. It takes its rights always subject to the power of the state to-authorize any other railroad to cross or intersect it, as the case may be. Where there-is a considerable expense growing out of the crossing, it may be a question for a court of equity to ‘determine how that expense shall be apportioned.
In this particular case, assuming that the allegations of the bill are sustained by the affidavits, t)hen it seems clear that it is for the interests of both roads that one should cross over the other. It is not a question for a day, a month, or a year; but it is a question for all time, so to speak, at any rate, for an indefinite time. The crossing of a road at grade involves a continual, never-ending expense and damage to both roads. It can be avoided by one crossing over the-other, and the only expense then is the interest on the additional cost.
Now, in this case it is said that there is-quite a steep grade; that one of the circumstances connected with the crossing at grade, namely, the stoppage of the trains, involves a peculiar loss and danger. In such a case as that, it certainly may be competent for a court of equity to interfere, under the provisions of law as they now exist. The *594mere question of damages to be ascertained by the exercise of the right of eminent domain does not reach the difficulty; therefore it may be a proper case for the interposition of a court of equity, even though the court under other circumstances, would not interfere, as in the case supposed, of two railroads in a level country, where they approach under such circumstances that the natural crossing may be at grade. Here it is not so.
If there is any additional expense involved in this to the new road, I do not say that expenditure would have to be incurred exclusively by that road. I should be very much inclined to apportion the expense under the circumstances of the case, because the old railroad comes in and asks for the interposition of a court, of equity, and under the equity rule, might be required to bear its proper share of the expense, because the crossing at the elevation is - for the common advantage of both roads.
I think this a proper case for the interposition of a court of equity. I am more and more inclined to hold that it is the duty of a court of equity to interfere in cases of this kind unless the legislature has unmistakably declared what the rule is. If the legislature comes in and says all crossings shall be located in a particular way, as a police matter, we will submit. But so long as they have left it open, I am inclined to hold that a court of equity can protect and assert the rights of railroads — the old and the new— and those of the public.
As to the question of jurisdiction, it is perhaps not entirely free from doubt. But I think that for the purpose of a standing in the federal court, within the language of the constitution and the judiciary act, we must hold that a corporation created by the laws of another state, although it may be associated with a corporation in our own state, and their interests may be common, will be recognized as being within the jurisdiction of this court; that a court of equity can protect the interests of a joint proprietor in property that is being injuriously aifected. Tlliat is my present impression. Let the injunction issue pursuant to the prayer of the bill.