Court Opinion

ID: 9425996
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-02 23:16:25.606208+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:22:58.490151
License: Public Domain

Mr. Justice Powell,
concurring.
I am in agreement with the Court’s opinion that the Interstate Commerce Commission had the power under *192§ 1 (15) summarily to take the action which is the subject of this litigation. I believe, however, that in addition to reversing the judgment of the District Court, we should direct that the case be remanded for a prompt proceeding under § 1 (14) of the Act.
The Commission entered Service Order No. 1134 on May 8, 1973, without notice, hearing, or an opportunity by interested parties to submit evidence or grounds of objection. The Commission found, as it had to under §1 (15):
“[A]n emergency exists requiring immediate action to promote car service in the interest of the public and the commerce of the people. Accordingly, the Commission finds that notice and public procedure are impracticable and contrary to the public interest . . .
The Commission’s counsel stated at oral argument that while the car shortage problem has a long history, the present order was in response to a particularly sharp but temporary increase in the severity of the problem. Counsel acknowledged, however, that this temporary emergency has subsided and that the order has been maintained in effect largely because of this litigation.1
Summary action is justified by the need to prevent imminent and severe public harm, harm that could not be avoided were action delayed. In authorizing this type of action, Congress implicitly concluded that avoidance of the public harm justifies bypassing normal procedures. *193But the justification for summary action ends with the emergency that called it forth.
No reason has been given us why the normal procedures with respect to “car service” rules under § 1 (14) should not now be followed.2 Although these do not require a full adversary hearing, due notice must be given all interested parties, with the opportunity to object, submit evidence, and file briefs in support of their position. United States v. Florida East Coast R. Co., 410 U. S. 224 (1973); United States v. Allegheny-Ludlum Steel Corp., 406 U. S. 742 (1972).
The Court’s reversal of the District Court’s decision, without more, will result in the vacating of its order of October 18, 1973, restraining enforcement of the Commission’s emergency order' of May 8, 1973. Absent the restraining order of the District Court, the emergency car service rules apparently will remain in effect. I think it unfortunate to leave the case in this posture. Accordingly, in addition to reversing the judgment of the District Court, I would direct that the case be remanded to the Commission with directions that it proceed promptly in accordance with the requirements of § 1 (14) to determine what changes, if any, are required in the car service rules.

 Although originally drawn to expire July 31, 1973, the Commission later continued it in effect, while suspending its application, “until further order of the Commission.” 39 Fed. Reg. 13971. The order was vacated, however, by the District Court on October 18, 1973, some five and a half months after its promulgation. Presumably, our reversal of the District Court will allow the Commission, in its discretion, to lift the suspension of the order without any renewed finding of emergency.

 The procedural safeguards afforded by § 1 (14), and which the Commission must follow absent an emergency, not only afford protection to the interests of private parties affected by agency action; they also insure that the agency has before it the information necessary to make a decision reasonably accommodating diverse and often competing public interests. Summary action may result in the imposition of hardships which, upon a more adequate consideration, will prove to have been unnecessary. See Freedman, Summary Action by Administrative Agencies, 40 U. Chi. L. Rev. 1, 27-30 (1972).