Illinois Central R. Co. v. Fuentes, 236 U.S. 157 (1915)

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Illinois Central Railroad Company v. Fuentes

No. 423

Argued January 8, 1915
Decided February 1, 1915
236 U.S. 157

APPEAL FROM THE DISTRICT COURT OF THE UNITED STATES

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF LOUISIANA

Syllabus

The switching of empty cars to and from a connection with an interstate railroad to a side track within the terminal of another railroad, for the purpose of being there loaded with goods intended for interstate commerce, constitutes a part of interstate commerce, the regulation of which Congress has undertaken, and any order of a state commission regulating such switching transcends the limits of its power.

When freight actually starts in the course of transportation from one state to another, it becomes a part of interstate commerce, and it is the essential nature of the movement, and not the form of the bill of lading, that determines the character of the commerce involved.

Order 295 of the Louisiana Railroad Commission, relative to switching of cars between connecting carriers and requiring carriers to conform to rates established by the Commission as to cars shipped in or out of the state, held unconstitutional as a burden upon, and an attempt to regulate, interstate commerce.

The facts, which involve the constitutionality under the Commerce Clause of the federal Constitution of orders made by the State Railroad Commission of Louisiana relative to switching of cars as applied to cars used in interstate commerce, are stated in the opinion.