Ratner v. United States
Opinion of the Court
The plaintiff herein has attacked a number of the findings of the Interstate Commerce Commission. Many of these, in the Court’s opinion, are of a minor nature and unimportant. The only contention of plaintiff which is substantial as affecting validity of the order is the one that charges the Commission of deciding the case on the theory that the applicant must offer proof of public con
In McLean Trucking Co. v. United States, 321 U.S. 67, 64 S.Ct. 370, 380, 88 L.Ed. 544, the Court discussed the history and development of Section 5 in general and its applicability to motor carrier consolidations. In the case the Court said “Congress recognized that the process of consolidating motor carriers would result in some diminution of competition and might result in the creation of monopolies. To prevent the latter effect and to make certain that the former was permitted only where appropriate to further the national transportation policy, it placed in the Commission power to con-' trol such developments. The national transportation policy requires the Com-1 mission to ‘promote * * * economical * * * service and foster sound economic conditions in transportation and among the several carriers; * The preservation of independent and competing motor carriers unquestionably has bearing on the achievement of those ends. Hence, the fact that the carriers participating in a properly authorized consolidation may obtain immunity from prosecution under the anti-trust laws in no sense relieves the Commission of its duty, as an administrative matter, to consider the effect of the merger on competitors and on the general competitive situation in the industry in the light of the objectives of the national transportation policy.
“In short, the Commission must estimate the scope and appraise the effects of the curtailment of competition which will result from the proposed consolidation and consider them along with the advantages of improved service, safer operation, lower costs, etc., to determine whether the consolidation will assist in effectuating the over-all transportation policy. Resolving these considerations is a complex task which requires extensive facilities, expert judgment and considerable knowledge of the transportation industry. Congress left that task to the Commission ‘to the end that the wisdom, and experience of that Commission may be used not only in connection with this form of transportation, but in its coordination of all other forms.’ * * * ‘The wisdom and experience of that commission,’ not of the courts, must determine whether the proposed consolidation is ‘consistent with the public interest.’ * * * If the Commission did not exceed the statutory limits within which Congress confined its discretion and its findings are adequate and supported by evidence, it is not our function (meaning the court’s function) to upset its order.”
It is the opinion of the Court that in the present case the Commission did not, exceed the statutory limits within which
It is, therefore, ordered that the Complaint herein be dismissed.
Dissenting Opinion
(dissenting).
I think it obvious that the Commission proceeded on an erroneous basis and imposed on plaintiff a burden not warranted by the Act. I cannot close my eyes to the fact that this of necessity affects the integrity of their findings and order. I, therefore, respectfully dissent.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- David H. RATNER, Plaintiff, V, the UNITED STATES of America and the Interstate Commerce Commission, Defendants
- Cited By
- 12 cases
- Status
- Published