69 Fla. 165 | Fla. | 1915
Lead Opinion
This is an original application to this court for a writ of mandamus requiring the respondent, the Florida East Coast Railway Company to conform to an order of the Railroad Commissioners requiring and directing the said respondent to establish and maintain an agency station at Mims, Florida.
The order of the Railroad Commissioners is as follows:
«Order No. 415. File No. 3402.
Before the Railroad Commissioners of the State of Florida
*168 In the Matter of the Application for an Order Requiring the Florida East Coast Railway Company to Establish and Maintain an Agency Station at Mims, Florida.
After due and lawful notice this matter came on for consideration before the Railroad Commissioners of the State of Florida at their office in the City of Tallahassee on the 18th day of March, 1913, at ten o’clock in the morning, the Florida East Coast Railway Company then and there appearing by its Counsel, Honorable Alexander St. Clair-Abrams, who was fully heard. And thereupon the said matter was taken under advisement.
And now on this day, the said matter coming on for further consideration, the Railroad Commissioners of the State of Florida do find that the freight and passenger business done by the Florida East Coast Railway Company at Mims, a flag station on its line of railway, is sufficient to warrant and necessitate the maintenance of an agency at said point.
WHEREFORE IT IS ORDERED AND ADJUDGED by the Railroad Commissioners of the State of Florida that the Florida East Coast Railway Company be and it is hereby required and directed to establish and maintain an agency station at Mims' aforesaid, the said agency station to be maintained from and after the 1st day of November, 1913.
DONE AND ORDERED by the Railroad Commissioners of the State of Florida, in session at their office in the City of Tallahassee, this 29th day of September, A. D. 1913.
R. Hudson Burr, Chairman.”
An alternative writ of mandamus was issued command
The alternative writ alleges that the respondent Florida East Coast Railway Company is a railroad corporation doing business as a Common Carrier in this State, that it operates a line of road lying wholly within the State and extending from Jacksonville to Key West, and in connection therewith a branch line, extending from Titusville on the main line to Enterprise Junction on the line of the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Company, that the corporation transports persons and property over its line of railroad as a Common Carrier, and holds itself out as such. That Mims is a non-agency station between Titus-ville and Enterprise Junction at which local passenger trains have been accustomed to stop on ffa-g, and at which freight has been received and delivered in carload and less than carload quantities. That on the 12th day of February, 1913, the Railroad Commissioners notified the railroad company that the Commissioners would be in session at their offices in Tallahassee on the 11th day of March, 1913, for the purpose of hearing and considering whether or not they ought to require the railroad company to establish and maintain an agency station at Mims; that on application of the attorney for the railroad company the hearing was postponed to the 18th of March, and on that date the Railroad Commissioners being in session and the railroad company appearing by its attorney, and after hearing all who desired to be heard, the matter was taken under advisement; that on the 29th day of September, 1913, the Railroad Commissioners made and en
The return of the railway company to the alternative writ, admits the foregoing allegations, and avers that it filed an answer to the notice served upon it, which answer set forth in detail and in full all -grounds of defense against the establishment of a regular agency at Mims, and beginning at paragraph seven avers that the order was unjust and unreasonable for the reasons set forth in the written defense submitted to the Commission, and for the further reasons: That the total business at Mims does not warrant or require the establishment of an agency there; that to establish the agency it would be necessary for the company to spend approximately $3,170.00 in the construction of a freight and passenger station with the necessary supplies and equipment, and the annual cost of the agency would not be less than $1,388.00. That the freight and passenger earnings of the station of the calendar years ending December 31st, 1910, 1911 and 1912, were as follows:
“For the year ending December 31, 1910, the freight forwarded aggregated $5,594.27, of which there were forwarded in carload lots $4,507.19, leaving only $1,087.08 of revenue from less than carload lots. Of the total revenue of freight forwarded, $4,612.94 were forwarded during the ■months of January, February, November and December, leaving only $981.23 revenue derived from this source during the remaining eight months.
The total amount of freight received during the entire year brought only a revenue of $2,606.02.
*171 The total number of passengers out during the same year was 891, with a total revenue of only $294.05. The total number of passengers in during the same year was 672, with a total revenue of $214.80.
In 1911 the total revenue from freight forwarded was $3,449.65, of which $2,153.00 was from freight shipped in carload lots, leaving only $1,196.65 of revenue from less than carload lots. Of the aggregate amount of freight received for*the year ending December 31, 1911, $3,120.60 were received during the months of October, November and December, leaving only $329.05 for the remaining nine months of the year. During the same year the total amount from freight received was $2,320.86. The court will perceive that there was a heavy decrease of revenue dui’ing 1911 as compared with 1910.
The number of passengers out during the same year was 875, producing a revenue of $238.45. The number of passengers in during the same year was 747, producing a revenue of only $200.30.
During the year ending December 31, 1912, the business of the station increased and slightly exceeded the business of 1911. It was as follows:
Total xievenue from freight forwarded, $6,057.44, of which $4,713.19 was from freight shipped in carload lots, leaving only $1,344.25 from freight shipped in less than carload lots. Of the total freight forwarded $4,716.27 were during the months of October, November and December, leaving only $1,341.17 during the remaining nine nxonths. During the same year the total amount of revenue derived from freight received was $2,811.44. I call the attention of the court to the fact that the total rev*172 enue from freights shows but a very small increase over 1910.
During the same year the number of passengers out was 1,345, producing a revenue of $372.95. The total number of passengers in was 1,219, producing a revenue of only $382.73. During the year 1912 there were only an average of 4 passengers per day outbound and only 3.4 per day inbound.”
That the number of passengers in and out during the fiscal years ending June 30, 1911, 1912 and 1913 were 1,598 for the year 1911, 2,054 for 1912, and 3,413 for 1913; that the total revenue from carloads of freight forwarded from Mims for the three years above named were $3,981.15 for 1911, of which $3,444.22 were derived during the months of October, November and December; $2,803.79 for 1912, of which $2,164.17 were received during the same three months of that year, and $6,421.88 for 1913, of which $5,635.95 were received during five months, September, October, November, December and January; that the freight earnings of the station fluctuate very much each year, and afford no reliable basis for revenue; that the entire gross earnings from all sources at Mims for the three years above named were as follows: $6,943.76 for the year ending June 30, 1911; $7,156.45 for 1912, and $10,717.54 for 1913. Statements and tables showing the foregoing figures fully and in detail were attached to the return, and made a part of it.
It was further averred that the company would be compelled to borrow the money with which to construct the freight and passenger station, and that would involve an additional charge of $500.00' annually, making a total of not less than $1,850.00 per year, or nearly 20 per cent of
That the total earnings and expenditures of the respondent's road for the year ending June 30, 1911, was as follows:
Gross Earnings..........................$4,181,277.80
Expenses including taxes, interest and other charges, ............................ 4,114,147.97
Surplus.............$ 67,129.97
Of which $25,000.00 was interest received on deposits. That of the interest paid $1,295,000 was paid on the first and second mortgage bonds at 41-2 per cent and 4 per cent respectively.
For the year ending June 30, 1912,
Gross Earnings..........................$4,426,935.45
Expenses not including interest, taxes and other charges, ....................... 3,117,081.06
Net Earnings ..... 1,309,854.39
Taxes $186,560.00'
*175 Hire of Equipment........... 134,282.09
Rentals ..................... 15,748.73 336,591.42
Net earnings applicable to interest on bonds and dividend 973,262.97
Interest on 1st Mortgage Bonds 468,875.00 Interest on 2nd Mortgage Bonds 500,000.00 968.875.00
Surplus ........... 4,387.97
To which add interest on deposit 46,832.12
Balance to profit and loss................. 51,220.09
That for the year ending June 30, 1912, there, was an increase of gross earnings amounting to $245,657.60; that the increase of the road’s expenditure exclusive of interest, taxes, hire of equipment for .that year was $513,370.87; that the increase for taxes, hire of equipment and rentals was $76,023.81, thus showing an aggregate increase of expenses over the increase in receipts of $304,651.92, leaving net earnings to be applied to interest and dividends of $973,262.97, to which could be added $46,832.12 received from interest on deposits, making a total of $1,020,095.09, or less than 3% net earnings on the investment in the property, and not exceeding 2 1-2% on the present value of the property. That the property of the company represents an investment of over $40,000,-000.00, and the present value of the property is “greater than this sum over $40,000,000.00.” That it has outstanding in first mortgage bonds $11,000,000.00'; second mortgage bonds $20,000,000.00, and $5,000,000.00 common stock, all of which purchased and paid for at par, and
That while there has been a small increase in the freight and passenger traffic since June 30, 1913, to December, 1913, and the passenger traffic has continued to fairly maintain itself, its freight business since December 31st, 1913, appears to have fallen off, but respondent cannot state the exact figures, that with the aggregate business for the six months ending December 31st, shows a small increase, the aggregate expenses for the same six months shows an increase of over $50,000'.00 above the increase of business, and that unless the balance of the fiscal year shall show a larger increase of freight and passenger business than now seems probable, respondent will not be able to pay 21-2% of interest on its second mortgage bonds, and may not be able to pay exceeding 11-2% on said bonds; that the small surplus existing at the end of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1913, was insufficient to meet extraordinary contingencies; that it has no sinking fund of any kind; that it is compelled to keep up its railroad and equipment to the highest standard of condition; that it is threatened with further reduction of its revenue by orders of the Interstate Commerce Commission and the Railroad Commissioners of Florida, affecting rates on fruit and vegetables, charges across the bridges at Jacksonville and Palatka, amendments to the Rules of the Florida Railroad Commissioners numbered 15 and 19, and reductions of its freights on Class “P,” aggregating $300,154.70; that in addition it is required to make large increases of expenditures under the law and orders of the- Railroad Commissioners and
An axnendment of the return granted December 22, 1914, avers that the respondent in coxnpliance with the citation of the Railroad Commissioners, dated February 12th, 1913, appeared before the Railroad Commissioners and filed a written answer showing why the said regular agency should not be established; that no testimony was taken by the Railroad Commissioners at said meeting to show any complaint from any of the patrons at Mims, or to show any necessity for the establishment of such agency station there; that no witnesses were examined; that if any witnesses were examined respondent was never notified of the examination of such witnesses, and was never allowed an opportunity to confront or cross-examine them; that there was no evidence befox’e the Commissioners of any delay on the part of the respondent in handling, receiving or delivering freight promptly at Mims; that the order was made without any evidence
To this return the relators filed their motion to strike certain averments, and at the same time filed their demurrer as follows:
“1. Beginning with the paragraph numbered 7 of said return, to and including the first paragraph on page 6;
2. The second paragraph on page 6.
3. Beginning with the first paragraph on page 7, through the last paragraph of the said return.
And for cause of demurrer the relators show:
1. The said return does not present a valid defense to the alternative writ.
2. The order of the Railroad Commissioners set out in the alternative writ is prima facie reasonable and just, and the return does not set up facts sufficient to show an. abuse of discretion, so as to render the administrative discretion of the Commissioners subject to review.
3. The order in question undertakes to enforce an absolute duty of the respondent 'carrier, which must be performed regardless of pecuniary loss thereby incurred.
4. It is not made to appear from the return that enforcement of the order will invade respondent’s property rights.
5. It is not made to appear that compliance with the order will result in a pecuniary loss to' respondent.
*180 6. The facts alleged on pages 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 only raise a question as to the necessity for an agency at Mims. This being an administrative question, the court’s power of review does not extend to a determination of that question.
7. Whether the business done at a particular station warrants the establishment of an agency, or the installation of certain facilities, is an administrative, not a judicial question.
8. It is not made to appear that the expense incident to installing and maintaining an agency at Mims, in obedience to the orders of the Commissioners, is so out of proportion to the business done there that compliance therewith will invade the constitutional rights of the respondent.
9. In alleging the facts found on pages 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 111-2, 12, 13, and 14, respondent is manifestly relying on the rule laid down in the case of Smyth v. Ames, which rule is not applicable to this case.
10. In this case no question of rate reduction, or depletion of revenue is involved. The test is found in the necessities of the public rather than the effect on the carrier.
11. The fact that respondent is not now earning, and never has earned, a reasonable profit upon its entire investment does not relieve it of its primary duty to provide adequate facilities.
12. The matter alleged does not show, nor is it shown elsewhere in the return, that the regulation complained of will reduce the revenues of respondent.
*181 13. The power of the Railroad Commissioners to make regulations does not cease merely because the carrier’s revenues are not sufficient to enable it to pay dividends. The power of regulation is not to be measured by the prosperity of the carrier.”
As the motion to strike is addressed practically to the entire return as recited herein from the seventh paragraph, and reaches the same matter to which the demurrer is addressed, we will treat them both as a demurrer to the return.
A mandamus issues only where a clear right to the writ is shown.
It is the duty of the Railroad Commissioners to require railroad companies and Common Carriers doing business in this State to establish stations, at which trains may be required to stop, to require the erection of such freight and passenger depots, houses, platforms and wharves with all necessary conveniences as the safety, convenience and comfort of passengers and the proper handling, care, protection and prompt delivery and transportation of freight may require, and to require a sufficient force of employees to be maintained thereat to conduct in a proper manner the business of the carriers. Chapter 6527, Laws of Florida, 1913. The orders of the Railroad Commissioners directing the establishment of stations by railroad companies and Common Carriers will be accorded the force and weight required by the statute, and to which the judgments and conclusions of such a governmental agency are entitled; but if it appears that such an order was made indisputably contrary to the evidence, or without any evidence, the character of prima facie reasonableness is destroyed, it must be deemed to be arbitrary and
The doctrine has been approved by this court many times that unreasonable regulations are not within the authority conferred by law upon the Railroad Commissioners, and when it appears from the pleading or the evidence in a case that an order or regulation is unreasonable, or unjust with reference to all the substantial interests affected by it, or violative of constitutional provisions for the protection of private property rights, such regulations will not be enforced1 by the courts. State ex rel. Railroad Com’rs v. Louisville & N. R. Co., 62 Fla. 315, 57 South. Rep. 175; State ex rel. Railroad Com’rs v. Florida East Coast R. Co., 64 Fla. 112, 59 South. Rep. 385. There is a distinction in character and importance between the duties which a railroad company owes to the public. The duty to provide fit and suitable roadbeds and tracks and rolling stock may be distinguished from the duty to provide stations and depots along its line of road. The former may be classed as a
The return of the respondents to the alternative writ in this case may be unnecessarily full as to the details of its business and financial condition, but the averments that the railroad is being operated at a loss, that its stockholders receive no dividends on the stock owned and held by them, that the railroad company has no sinking fund of any kind, that its income is not sufficient to enable it to pay the interest which it is obligated to pay on its second mortgage bonds, that its business is not increasing, that it has never earned a reasonable compensation-on the money invested in its property, that the actual investment of money in the Florida East Coast Railway is approximately over $40,000,000.00, and that the present value of the Florida East Coast Railway is considerably more than that sum, to-wit, “over $40,000,000.00,” that to
The amendment to the return filed December 22, 1914, also avers that the respondent in compliance with the citation of the Railroad Commissioners dated February 12th, 1913, appeared before the Railroad Commissioners and filed a written answer showing why the regular agency should not be established at Mims; that “no testimony was taken by the Railroad Commissioners at said meeting to show any complaint from any of the patrons at Mims, or to show any necessity for the establishment of such agency station there, that no witnesses were examined,” “that there was no evidence before the Commissioners of any delay on the part of the respondent in handling, receiving or delivering freight promptly at Mims, that
The fact that the respondent’s business has increased at Mims does not neutralize the legal effect of the admissions, that the enforcement of the order will increase the admitted deficit of the respondent in compensatory revenues ; that the total business does not require the establishment of an agency there; that respondent’s entire business is done at a loss to it; that no testimony was taken, and the.order made without any evidence to show any necessity for the establishment of such an agency there, and that the accommodations already provided are ample. These admissions show that the order was not just and reasonable, as the statute requires, but arbitrary and illegal, so that its enforcement would violate property rights secured by the State and Federal Constitutions. See State ex rel. Railroad Com’rs v. Florida East Coast R. Co., 65 Fla. 424, 62 South. Rep. 591.
The motion to strike and the demurrer are overruled, with leave to the relators to join issue upon the averments of the return, as they may be advised.
Upon issue joined testimony may be taken upon commission issued by the clerk of this court, or before a jus
Dissenting Opinion
dissenting.
I am unable to concur with the order of the court just pronounced.
The Commission had evidence, out of the mouth of the respondent that at this non-agency station, the business was considerable, and was growing rapidly, increasing in the number of passengers from a daily average of four daily in 1911, to nine daily in 1913, or more than one hundred per cent, while its gross earnings from passengers and freight traffic was increasing from $6,943.76 in 1911, to $10,717.54 in 1913, say fifty per cent., and this despite the fact that upon the whole system the receipts from passengers remained stationary, and the freight business showed some decrease.
This showing by the respondent indicates a steady g£pwth of the business at this non-agency station not only in the aggregate for the year, but a decided improvement in the distribution of the business throughout the year.
The railroad Commission acts, if it sees fit, upon its own initiative in these regulations, and being a quasi-
I read the statement in the return as to the accommodations already provided being ample to be merely the conclusion of the pleader from the facts pleaded in connection with such statement.
I do not find that any facts set up in the return overcome the prima facies of the Commission’s order, and therefore I think the demurrer should be sustained.