Baltimore & Ohio R. Co. v. Icc, 221 U.S. 612 (1911)

Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company v.

Interstate Commerce Commission
No. 222

Argued April 17, 18, 1911
Decided May 29, 1911
221 U.S. 612

APPEAL FROM THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE UNITED STATES

FOR THE DISTRICT OF MARYLAND

Syllabus

The Act of March 4, 1907, 34 Stat. 145, c. 2939, regulating the hours of labor of railway employees engaged in interstate commerce and requiring carriers to make reports in regard thereto, is not unconstitutional as beyond the power of Congress because it applies to railroads and employees engaged in intrastate business. Employers’ Liability Cases, 207 U.S. 463, distinguished.

By virtue of its power to regulate interstate and foreign commerce, Congress may enact laws for the safeguarding of persons and property in interstate transportation and may restrict the hours of labor of employees connected with such transportation.

The length of time employed has a direct relation to efficiency of employees, and the imposition of reasonable restrictions in regard thereto is not an unconstitutional interference with the liberty of contract. C., B. & Q. R. Co. v.McGuire, 219 U.S. 549.

The power of Congress to make regulations in regard to agencies for interstate commerce is not defeated by the fact that the agencies regulated are also connected with intrastate commerce.

An exception in a statute of cases of emergency does not render a statute void for uncertainty where Congress has appropriately described the exceptional cases intended to be covered.

Under § 4 of the Act to Regulate Commerce, the Interstate Commerce Commission has power to require carriers to make reports regarding the hours of labor of such employees as are subject to the Act of March 4, 1907, and the requirement of such reports does not constitute an unreasonable search or seizure within the meaning of the Fourth Amendment.

A corporation cannot plead a privilege against self-incrimination under the Fifth Amendment; nor can an officer of a corporation plead that the immunity guaranteed by that amendment relieves him personally from making records from the books and papers of the corporation. Wilson v. United States, ante, p. 361.

The facts, which involve the validity of an order made by the Interstate Commerce Commission, and the construction of the Employe’s Act (hours of service) of March 4, 1907, 34 Stat. 1415, c. 2939, are stated in the opinion.