United States v. Atchison T. & S. F. Railway Company/Opinion of the Court

During 1910 and 1911 the appellee railway company entered into customary arrangements with the Post Office Department to carry mail over a number of routes for quadrennial terms ending June 30, 1914, and 1915, com pensation to be based upon ascertained weights. While these were in force, by Act or August 24, 1912, c. 389 (37 Stat. 557), Congress directed establishment of the parcel post service without providing for any additional compensation on account of the large increase in weights which would surely follow.

The Postmaster General called attention to the matter January 20, 1913; and after much consideration the following clause was incorporated in the Act of March 4, 1913, c. 143 (37 Stat. 791, 797 [Comp. St. § 7494]):

'That on account of the increased weight of mails resulting     from the enactment of section eight of the act of August      twenty-fourth, nineteen hundred and twelve, *  *  * the      Postmaster General is authorized to add to the compensation      paid for transportation on railroad routes on and after July      first, nineteen hundred and thirteen, for the remainder of      the contract terms, not exceeding five per centum thereof per      annum, excepting upon routes weighed since January first,      nineteen hundred and thirteen, and to be readjusted from July      first, nineteen hundred and thirteen, until otherwise      provided by law.'

Acting under this provision, the Postmaster General refused to allow increased compensation of 5 per centum upon all routes, but apportioned payments among them-never in excess of 5 per centum-according to a carefully worked out formula which he deemed appropriate. Appellee sued for the difference between amount actually received and what it would have received if five per centum had been added. Considering history of the legislation and intent of Congress supposed to be indicated thereby the Court of Claims held that the act--

'required the Postmaster General to add 5 per cent. to the     compensation being paid on all of said routes, and he having      failed to do so that the plaintiff is entitled to recover the      difference sued for.' Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Ry. Co. v.     United States, 52 Ct. Cl. 338, 361.

We are unable to agree with this conclusion. The language of the enactment is clear and we think it vested in the Postmaster general a discretion which, so far as shown General a discretion which, so far as shown not unmindful of the burden imposed upon appellee nor of the circumstances which lend color to a different conclusion; but these are not sufficient to justify a disregard of the plain import of the words which Congress deliberately adopted.

The judgment below must be reversed and the cause remanded with direction to dismiss the petition.

Reversed and remanded.