Pure Oil Co. v. Minnesota, 248 U.S. 158 (1918)

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Pure Oil Company v. Minnesota

No. 74

Argued November 21, 22, 1918
Decided December 9, 1918
248 U.S. 158

ERROR TO THE SUPREME COURT

OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA

Syllabus

For the purpose of promoting the public safety and of protecting the public from fraud and imposition, a state, in the absence of conflicting regulation by Congress, may provide for inspection of illuminating oils and gasoline while yet in interstate transit, and impose a charge upon the owner reasonably sufficient to cover the cost of inspection. P. 161.

Such inspection charges, fixed by a state legislature, are accepted as reasonable unless clearly shown to be obviously and largely beyond what is needed to pay for the inspection service rendered. P. 163.

Where the receipts from inspection fees through a number of years considerably exceeded the cost of inspection, but this was explained by increasing consumption of the product inspected, and the legislature during the period reduced the fee, held that there was no ground to question the good faith of the legislature in enacting the law under which the fees were charged. P. 164.

Upon the question whether an inspection of gasoline served to promote public safety and protect against fraud and imposition, concurrent findings of state trial and supreme courts held conclusive. Id.

Whether oil and gasoline, imported into a state in tank cars, continued to be subjects of interstate commerce while awaiting state inspection at the owner’s place of business before they were unloaded and held for general ale and distribution not decided. Id.

134 Minn. 101 affirmed.

The case is stated in the opinion.