Louisville Company v. Rice/Opinion of the Court

Did the District Court rightly decide that it had no jurisdiction, is the only question presented.

Plaintiff in error sued to recover one hundred and forty-five dollars claimed to be due under tariffs approved and published as required by Interstate Commerce Act, for disinfecting fifty-eight cars containing live stock shipped from points outside the state and delivered to defendant, the consignee, at New Orleans, Louisiana. It alleged presentation of bills covering each shipment and payment by defendant of all charges except those for disinfecting-tow dollars and fifty cents per car.

Answering, defendant admitted the shipments were interstate; that he paid all lawful charges, except those sued for; and that these had been properly prescribed under and pursuant to the Interstate Commerce Act. But he denied liability for these reasons: as the carrier well knew, or should have known, he had long been engaged in the business of factor or commission merchant; in due course while acting as representative for their owners and consignors he received the live stock, sold them immediately upon arrival, deducted expenses, etc., and remitted balance of proceeds to his principals; when the cars arrived he paid all charges actually demanded; he was not then advised and remained unaware that any others were contemplated until such balance had been remitted. Having led him to believe the amount asked and paid before he remitted entire net proceeds constituted full settlement, the carrier is now estopped from demanding more of him.

The trial court upon its own initiative dismissed the action for want of jurisdiction.

Section 24 of the Judicial Code provides that regardless of amount involved District Courts shall have original jurisdiction 'of all suits and proceedings arising under any law regulating commerce.' The Interstate Commerce Act requires carrier to collect and consignee to pay all lawful charges duly prescribed by the tariff in respect of every shipment. Their duty and obligation grow out of and depend upon that act.

In support of the trial court it is said: There is no jurisdiction unless the suit in part at least arises out of a controversy in regard to operation or effect of the act of Congress. Here there is no dispute as to legality of rate or its application to the shipments; and consignee's liability was fully discharged upon payment by him of amount demanded at time of delivery and surrender of the carrier's lien.

'Cases arising under the laws of the United States are such as grow out of the legislation of Congress.' Tennessee v. Davis, 100 U.S. 257, 264, 25 L. Ed. 648. 'Whether a party claims a right under the Constitution or laws of the United States is to be ascertained by th legal construction of its own allegations.' New Jersey Central R. R. Co. v. Mills, 113 U.S. 249, 257, 5 Sup. Ct. 456, 459 (28 L. Ed. 949). 'If the plaintiff really makes a substantial claim under an act of Congress there is jurisdiction whether the claim ultimately be held good or bad.' The Fair v. Kohler Die Co., 228 U.S. 22, 25, 33 Sup. Ct. 410, 412 (57 L. Ed. 716). A suit arises under an act of Congress when 'it really and substantially involves a dispute or controversy respecting the validity, construction or effect of such a law, upon the determination of which the result depends.' Shulthis v. McDougal, 225 U.S. 561, 569, 32 Sup. Ct. 704, 706 (56 L. Ed. 1205). As to interstate shipments 'there can be no question that, since the decision in the Croninger Case [226 U.S. 491, 33 Sup. Ct. 148, 57 L. Ed. 314, 44 L. R. A. (N. S.) 257], the parties are held to the responsibilities imposed by the federal law, to the exclusion of all other rules of obligation.' St. Louis, Iron Mt. & So. Ry. Co. v. Starbird, 243 U.S. 592, 595, 37 Sup. Ct. 462, 464 (61 L. Ed. 917); Louisville & Nashville R. R. v. Maxwell, 237 U.S. 94, 97, 35 Sup. Ct. 494, 59 L. Ed. 853, L. R. A. 1915E, 665.

The railroad company set up a claim based upon provisions of a tariff duly filed, published and approved as required by Interstate Commerce Act; result of the action necessarily depended upon construction and effect of that act.

We think the District Court had jurisdiction. Its judgment is accordingly reversed and the cause remanded for further proceedings in conformity with this opinion.

Reversed.