Court Opinion

ID: 6431141
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-06-25 12:08:20.308858+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:52:12.051112
License: Public Domain

Knowlton, C. J.
The only question in this ease is whether the St. 1908, c. 605, §§ 1-6, which provides for the regulation of the business of making small loans, is constitutional.
The loans referred to are of $200 or less, upon which a rate of interest greater than twelve per cent per annum is charged, and for which no security other than a note or contract, with or without an indorser, is taken. The Legislature evidently had in mind the danger that such a business, if left without regulation, would be conducted oppressively, and the statute was enacted with a view to furnish a degree of protection to borrowers. Similar provisions have been enacted in regard to conducting the business of a pawnbroker, and in regard to conducting the business of making loans secured by mortgage or pledge of household furniture or other personal property exempt from attachment, for less than $200, or at a rate of interest greater than twelve per cent. R. L. c. 102, §§ 33, 39, 57, 66. If there is danger of oppression in carrying on a business of this kind, the Legislature, in the exercise of the police power, may regulate it by statute, in the interest of the people who may be liable to such oppression. The regulation of the exercise of private rights has been considered by this court in many cases. Mutual Loan Co. v. Martell, 200 Mass. 482. Commonwealth v. Strauss, 191 Mass. 545. Welch v. Swasey, 193 Mass. 364. Commonwealth v. Pear, 183 Mass. 242. We cannot say that the Legislature might not properly determine that carrying on such a business for gain calls for regulation, and might not accordingly provide that no one should engage in the business unless duly licensed. It was decided that the similar statute relative to engaging in the business of a pawnbroker was constitutional. Commonwealth v. Danziger, 176 Mass. 290.
The plaintiff attacks particularly the requirement of § 2 that the licensing officer or board shall from time to time establish regulations respecting the business, and the rate of interest to be charged, having due regard to the amount of the loan and the time for which it is made. Under this section, the rate of interest prescribed may be different in one city or town from that in another. The right of the Legislature to delegate to *433a local board the making of regulations under statutes has long been recognized in this Commonwealth, as properly founded on the principle of local self-government, which has been a part of the law of New England from the earliest times. Brodbine v. Revere, 182 Mass. 598. Welch v. Swasey, 193 Mass. 364. It is quite' possible that in two different cities of the State, remote from each other, conditions might be so different as to justify the establishment of different rates of interest for short loans of small amounts in different places. The statute as to pawnbrokers contains substantially the same provision, and it was held constitutional. R. L. c. 102, § 35. Commonwealth v. Danziger, 176 Mass. 290.
The plaintiff also contends that the statute is unconstitutional because it exempts from its provisions “ national banks, all banking institutions which are under the supervision of the bank commissioner, and loan companies and loan associations established by special charter and placed under said supervision.” But this objection was considered in the case of Mutual Loan Co. v. Martell, 200 Mass. 482, which arose' under the same statute, and it was held that it was not fatal to the validity of the act. The Legislature might find that these classes of corporations, being subject to official supervision under the law, even if they did some business of the kind described in the statute, would not be likely to conduct their business oppressively in dealing with small borrowers. This decision covers the present case. See also Welch v. Swasey, 193 Mass. 364. In the opinion of a majority of the court the entry must be

Judgment for the defendant.