Inghram v. Union Stock Yards Co. of Omaha, Ltd., No. 9392

No. 9392 | 8th Cir. | Mar 21, 1933

r-,- T , STONE, Circuit Judge.

Appellee brought an action at law against appellant to recover $354.55-, claimed to ho due it for reweigliing charges on live stock dealt in by appellant in the yards of appel-lee. These charges were assessed under a schedule of charges, the pertinent part of which is as follows:

“In addition to above yardage charges, the following yardage charges will he made for each subsequent weighing of all live stock,

“Cattle, 12c per head

“Calves, 8e per head ’

<( °gs! 4c per ead

“Sheep or goats, 2c per head

“Except, on live stock going to the conn-try no reweigh charge will be made.”

The answer of appellant challenged the legality of these charges as being discriminatory, under sections 305 and 307 of the Packers’ and Stockyards Act (7 USCA §§ 206, 208); also, that the schedule of charges sought to be enforced was in violation of a ruling by the Secretary of Agriculture known as Docket 6. The defendant prayed that the petition be dismissed and that “the plaintiff herein be required to- cease and desist from making the illegal and unlawful charge herein complained of.” A reply p-ut in issue the above defenses. A jury was properly waived, the ease tried to the court, findings of facts and conclusions stated, and judgment entered in favor of plaintiff for the amount sought. I rom that judgment inis appeal is brought.

The situation revealed by the pleadings and the evidence is that the appellant is engaged in what is known as trading or speeulating at these yards. Trading and specula,ting seems to mean the buying of stock at the yards by the trader and the subsequent resale there by him. The controversy here, apparently, is concerned with cattle. Trading and speculation in cattle involves two classes: Fat cattle (fit for butchering purposes); and stockers and feeders, which are not in that condition. A resale by the speculator of stockers and feeders is, usually, to persons in the country who take the purchases out to the country for fattening and conditioiiing for fat market purposes. The re-®a£es o£ ^le £a£ cattle are usually for buteher£l,8' Purposes, largely to- tne packers, though sometimes to others.

l^meriy the stockyards; had in force a Sfle1dule 1wilieh Provided certain charges for stockyards services, which included weighing,' with one-half additional added in the ease of cattle resold or placed for resale by the trad-0rs. This charge resulted in a complaint, inyestigation, and determination by the Seereti!ry, who ruled that tho additional charge- was unauthorized and discriminatory and which he ordered canceled. Action seems to have been taken by the stockyards in compliance with that order. This proceeding was known as “Docket 6.” Thereafter, the stockyards company made a part of its rate tariff tho above-quoted portion upon which the charges here in question rest. The result of this new íarií>í was 1x5 exaot a ^-weighing charge on the cattle resold by traders and speculators. This second tariff was attacked in a complaint (Docket 208) before the Secretary, a. hearing had thereon, and tho Secretary determined that this charge was different in character that involved in Docket 6 and was not discriminatory and unlawful, and an order was entered to that effect. .Thereafter, the appellant continued his business at the stock-yawls, the charges in accordance with the tariff were assessed, he refused payment, and this suit resulted. The full proceedings be-£ore and the above orders by the Secretary aro ™a(£c Parts of the bill of exceptions,

[i„3] The bald proposition here is as fol-iows. After tho Secretary of Agriculture, acting. un(jer the Packers’ and Stockyards Act, has determined that a particular charge is lawful, can any one subject thereto- attack the validity of that charge in a defense to an action for the collection of that charge for services justifying tho charge, if legal? This cannot be done. The Packers’ and Stockyards Act clearly contemplates control over rates at market yards by the Secretary. The purposes of that control are to compel rates which are reasonable and rates which are not discriminatory. Tho Secretary is empowered in the first instance to determine what rates are reasonable and what are nondiscriminatory. This is largely a question of fact, The statute has provided no method of judicial review of such determinations by the Secretary. Therefore, the only remedy open to any one dissatisfied with such administrative action is to challenge the fair action of the Secretary. “Fair” is tested by whether the Secretary acted in an arbitrary and unreasonable manner in reaching his conclusion. It is analogous to the power of an appellate court to determine the sufficiency of evidence to support a judgment at law. The courts can go no further than to inquire into two matters: First, whether the Secretary pursued .the procedure required by the act; second, whether the Secretary had any substantial evidence before him to support the conclusion represented in his order. But even the determination of this action of the Secretary must be pursued in an orderly manner. The order itself should be challenged by a direct proceeding to enjoin or annul which would, if successful, have the effect of making the order a nullity as to all parties affected by it and for all purposes. Such order cannot be attacked by a defense to' collection of charges which are in compliance with an order of the Secretary. To permit this would, in a sense, create a discrimination in favor of such a defendant and against all others who had paid such charges. It is to be noted that the act requires charges, approved by the Secretary, to be made without increase or deduction and a substantial penalty for doing otherwise is provided in the act.

The judgment must be, and is, affirmed.