Lead Opinion
A motion to quash the alternative writ herein was denied, State ex rel. v. Atlantic Coast Line Railroad, 95 Fla. 14, 116 So. R. 48. The writ requires the respondent to restore its track into Monticello and to render the public service there. The respondent has answered and the relators move for a peremptory writ notwithstanding the answer.
“A return to a sufficient alternative writ of mandamus must state all the facts relied upon by the respondent with such precision and certainty that the court may be fully advised of all the particulars necessary to enable it to pass upon the sufficiency of the return; and its statements cannot be supplemented by inference or intendment.
“Great strictness of pleading is required in returns wnich set up matters of confession and avoidance.
“A general denial in an answer in mandamus may be qualified or explained by the positive averments of the answer.
‘ ‘ In mandamus proceedings, by moving for a peremptory writ on the pleadings, the relators admit the truth of the well-pleaded averments of facts that are contained in the answer or return, but do not admit asserted conclusions that are not sustained by facts stated in the answer or return.
“A motion for peremptory writ of mandamus, nothwithstanding the answer, contemplates a final order either quashing or dismissing the alternative writ or granting the peremptory writ.” State ex rel. v. Seaboard Air Line Ry. Co., 92 Fla. 61, 63, 83; 109 So. R. 656, 657.
“Every railroad company shall 'operate over every part of its line not less than one passenger and one freight train each way daily except Sunday, unless the railroad commissioners shall determine that the public need does not require a greater service than one mixed train each way daily except Sunday, and if they shall so determine such service will be deemed sufficient until the commissioners otherwise order.” Sec. 4621, Rev. Gen. Stats. 1920, Sec. 6707, Comp. Gen. Laws 1927.
Under its power “to regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes,” the Congress of the United States enacted the Transportation Act of 1920, which, amending the Interstate Commerce Act of 1887, confers upon the Interstate Commerce Commission statutory authority with reference to interstate railroads, and provides that “no carrier by railroad subject to this act shall abandon all or any portion of a line of railroad, or the operation thereof, unless and until there shall first have been obtained from the Commission a certificate that the present or future public convenience and necessity permit such abandonment. * * * From and after the issuance of such certificate, and not before, the carrier by railroad may, without securing approval other than such certificate, comply with the terms and conditions contained in or attached to the issuance of such certificate and proceed with the® ® * abandonment covered thereby. Any * * ® abandonment contrary to the provisions * ® * may be enjoined.” U. S. Compiled Statutes, Sec. 8563; 116 So. R. 48.
The respondent claims that it has at least implied authority from the Interstate Commerce Commission to remove its railroad track between Yustee and Monticello and that
The respondent made application to the Interstate Commerce Commission for permission to construct a line of railroad from Perry, Florida, northwestwardly “to a point at or near Montieello,”,the purpose being to connect with the -interstate line from Thomasville, Georgia, to Montieello, Florida. The report made on the application refers to “the construction and operation of a line of railroad from a point at or near Perry in a northwestwardly direction to a point at or near Montieello”; and states that it is represented that “the chief purpose of the proposed line is to form a connecting link between two of applicant’s existing lines ” to “ connect the northern terminus of applicant’s Perry branch and the southern terminus of its Thomasville, (Ga.)-Montieello branch.” The certificate issued by the Interstate Commerce Commission states “that the present and future public convenience and necessity require the construction and operation of the extension of the line of railroad * * * described in the application and report,” which was to “connect the northern terminus of applicant’s Perry branch and the southern terminus of its Thomasville, (Ga.)-Montieello branch.” The southern terminus of the respondent’s railroad from Thomasville to Montieello was in the eastern part of the town of Montieello, where the Montieello depot or station was located. In making the connection of the extension from Perry
The application to obtain authority for the “construction and operation” of an “extension or connecting line of railroad from a point at or near Perry to a point at or near Monticello,” contained specifications of “4.8 miles of track removed at $300.00, $1,440.00” and “1 brick station, Monticello, $15,000.00.”
These specifications did not amount to an application to “abandon” the line from Yustee to Monticello; but the fair inference is that the “brick station, Monticello,” was to be at the southern terminus of the Thomasville, (Ga.)Monticello branch in the eastern part of the town of Monticello, and not a mile or more west of the town.
There is nothing in the application, maps, specifications, etc., to indicate that the purpose was to abandon the line into Monticello and to require the public to be served a mile or more west of Monticello and not at Monticello as theretofore. The certificate of authority is to construct and operate an extension of the line of railroad described in the application and report and “made a part” of the certificate.
The report states that the proposed line will connect the northern terminus of the Perry branch and the southern terminus of the Thomasville-Monticello branch, the latter
For the construction or operation of an additional or extended line of railroad, the Federal statute requires a certificate “that the present or future public convenience and necessity require or will require” such construction or operation, while to abandon a portion of a line of railroad the same section of the statute requires a certificate that the present or future public convenience and necessity “permit of such abandonment.” The amended answer does not show a certificate that the public convenience and necessity permits an abandonment of “any portion of a line of railroad.”
The respondent company avers “that since the 25th day of August, 1927, it has continuously rendered to the town of Montieello and vicinity a better freight and passenger service than had been rendered to said town and vicinity prior to the abandonment of said trackage and old depot within the corporate limits of said town. ’ ’
The above and other averments of conclusion are not admitted by the motion' for a peremptory writ, since such conclusions are not supported by particular facts averred; and if so admitted they do not justify the abandonment of the railroad line into Montieello and service thereover, no certificate of authority for such abandonment as required by the Federal statute being adduced in response to the alternative writ brought by the State commanding a continuance of the service heretofore rendered as required by the State statutes, until permission shall have been lawfully obtained authorizing a discontinuance and abandonment of the service.
Dissenting Opinion
(Dissenting) : A line of railroad from Thomas-ville, Georgia, to Monticello, Florida, was built by the Savannah, Florida & Western Eailway Company under a charter granted by the State of Florida authorizing the railroad company to construct, maintain and operate a railroad from Tallahassee and from Monticello to the Georgia-Florida State line. The Atlantic Coast Line Eailroad Company, a Virginia corporation, in 1902 acquired the franchise property and the line of railroad of the Savannah, Florida & Western Eailway Company and operated the line of railroad as constructed by the latter corporation to Monticello until August 25, 1927, when it ceased to operate that line and dismantled its track.
An alternative writ of mandamus was issued by this Court directed to the Atlantic Coast Line Eailway Company to restore its track from Yustee in Jefferson County; Fla., to Monticello; to maintain it in a reasonably suitable condition to meet the requirements of the public service and to restore the train service and observe the schedules that were in effect thereon prior to August 25, 1927, until permission shall have been lawfully obtained from the proper authorities authorizing such abandonment or to show cause why it refused to do so.
A motion to quash the writ was denied. State ex rel. Davis, v. Atlantic Coast Line Ry. Co., 95 Fla. 14, 116 So. R. 48.
The respondent answered that it abandoned the line from Yustee to Monticello by virtue of an order of the Interstate Commerce Commission but that it had extended a
A demurrer was interposed to the return on the ground that it was no defense to the writ; that it presented- no issue and consisted of averments which were conclusions of law and fact. A motion was also made for a peremptory writ and motion to strike certain parts of the return.
The respondent amended its return and averred that the line from Yustee to Montieello was not a branch line as defined by the writ; that it was an integral part of its interstate line from Thomasvilie, Georgia, to Montieello, Florida, known as the Thomasville, Georgia-Monticello, Florida Branch, having a connection with its main line from Jacksonville, Fla., to Montgomery, Ala. It denied that dismantling the track from Yustee to Montieello and discontinuing the depot in Montieello deprived that town of railroad facilities and train service over its railroad, but on the contrary it was rendering to that town better freight and passenger service over its line of road; that it had by due authority from the Interstate Commerce Commission provided new and better facilities for the handling of the freight and passenger traffic of the town of Montieello and vicinity and thereby had been authorized to abandon its former service between said station of Yustee and said old depot within the corporate limits of the town of Monticello.
The answer proceeds with averments in minute detail as to the conditions existing in the year 1924 in the State of Florida rendering it expedient for the respondent in order to adequately serve the public so far as it lay within the scope of its duties in that behalf to construct the connecting link of railway. It set forth the work performed in completing the surveys through Perry to a point at or near Monticello, adopted the resolutions which the Rev. Gen. Stats, of Florida contemplated should be adopted in such case and authorizing the Yice President of the railroad to make and file with the Interstate Commerce Commission an application in behalf of the respondent, showing the present or future public convenience and necessity which required or would require the construction and operation by respondent of the proposed extension or
That resolution shows it to have been the purpose of the respondent to make such showing as the facts warranted as would be necessary to obtain from the Interstate Commerce Commission the Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity which would authorize the construction of the proposed connection.
The answer avers that the application was duly made to the Interstate Commerce Commission. It was accompanied by a showing as to the convenience which the proposed extension would afford to the public; the route and termini of the line which showed it to be
From a point at or near the station known as Perry, on the line of this Company’s railroad in Taylor County, in a northwestwardly direction through Taylor and Madison Counties into Jefferson County, and through said Jefferson County to a point at or near Montieello, in the said County of Jefferson.
A map drawn to a scale was exhibited to the Interstate Commerce Commission showing the location of the proposed extension. A copy of the map is attached to the answer and made a part of it. The map shows that the town of Montieello lies "partly in Sections 19, 30 and 31 of Township 2 North, Range 5 East and partly in Sections 24, 25 and 36 of Township 2 North, Range 4 East covering about a mile and one-third square. It showed the Tine of road extending from a point near the Georgia line in a southeasterly direction to a point in Montieello about
The answer averred that due notice of the application was published in newspapers having a general circulation in Jacksonville and in Taylor, Madison and Jefferson Counties for three weeks, once each week; that the Interstate Commerce Commission filed a copy of the application for the Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity with the Governor of Florida on November 13, 1925, and with the Railroad Commission of Florida on November 30, 1925; that both the Governor and the Railroad Commission expressed favorable opinions concerning the proposed extension, the latter directly to the Interstate Commerce Commission.
The answer avers that as a part of the procedure and practice before the Interstate Commerce Commission the respondent was required to give answers to a questionnaire showing the chief purpose and functions of the proposed line; the names of other common carriers with which the proposed new line would connect and the proposed points of track connection; the grade and average curvature of the new line; the development in the volume of Florida traffic; the public convenience served; the estimated cost of the construction which included the following items:
1 Brick Station, Monticello................. 15,000
Track laying and surfacing:
4.8 miles track removed at $300 for Monticello . 1,440
That tbe above items covered tbe building of tbe new depot at Monticello on the line indicated and the removal of the track from Yustee to the old depot in Monticello. The answer then makes the following averments:
That after having all the information aforesaid, and after the proceedings aforesaid, said matter came on to be heard before the Interstate Commerce Commission in a proceeding known as Finance Docket No. 5169, and on the 14th day of December, 1925, said Interstate Commerce Commission made its report, whereby it was found that the present and future public convenience and necessity required the construction by respondent of the line of railroad in Taylor, Madison and Jefferson Counties, Florida, as described in said application. That said report recited, among other things, that the cost of construction as reported by respondent was estimated at $1,424,400.00, the same being the aggregate shown by said estimate of costs, exhibit 3, hereto attached. That a complete copy of said report is hereto attached, marked exhibit 4 and made a part hereof. That in accordance with said report a certificate of public convenience and necessity was on the same date duly issued by the Interstate Commerce Commission to this respondent, certifying that the present and future public convenience and necessity required the construction and operation of the extension “described in the application and report aforesaid.” Copy of said certificate being hereto attached, marked exhibit 5 and made a part hereof.
*829 That while saicl proceedings did not inform the Interstate Commerce Commission of the exact spot on said new line where respondent would build such new brick station for the town of Monticello, said proceedings nevertheless showed that respondent, as a part of said construction, intended to build such new depot at some point convenient and accessible to the Town of Monticello upon said new line; that by the making of said report and order aforesaid the Interstate Commerce Commission impliedly authorized the abandonment of the old depot and station within the corporate limits of the town of Monticello, well knowing that respondent could not be required to maintain two stations and depots to serve the same locality. That by authorizing the expenditure of $1,440.00 for the taking up of said trackage, said Interstate Commerce Commission also intended and authorized this respondent to abandon and take up said piece of trackage from the station of Yustee to the old station in the Town of Monticello.
There are averments about the feasibility of the route; that surveys were made to determine that point; that it was found that a line extending1 southeast from the old depot in Monticello was impracticable; that the old line from Yustee would be of no use in the construction of the new line presenting difficulties and obstacles in the way of curves and cuts, quicksand and slides that would have greatly increased the cost of construction and would be less efficient to serve the through traffic from and to the south as well as the local traffic to Monticello and vicinity.
Averments were made to the effect that while the proceedings were pending before the Interstate Commerce Commission the Monticello public well knew the location of the proposed new station for the town of Monticello
Averments are made showing that to require the railroad to restore the track and maintain both tracks and stations would place undue burden of expense upon the Company, render the service non-compensatory, require a large outlay of money, operate greatly to delay interstate passenger traffic, increase the expensé unnecessarily of operating the freight and passenger trains; that it would become necessary to obtain permission from the Interstate Commerce Commission so to do and on this account challenges the jurisdiction of this Court to require it.
It is also averred that the respondent after constructing the new line and erecting the new depot and inaugurating the freight and passenger service at and through the new station, believing that it had full authority from the order and certificate of the Interstate Commerce Commission to do so took up its old trackage betwen the station Yustee (or Alma) and its old station within the corporate limits of the town of Montieello and closed that station so far as further service for freight and passengers by means thereof was concerned.
To compel the restoration of that track and the freight
The writer of this opinion has deemed it to be suitable to quote fully from the amended answer of the railroad because it will be helpful in construing the meaning of the Certificate issued by the Interstate Commerce Commision, which it is empowered to do under the provisions of the Federal Act. U. S. C. A., title 49, Chap. 1, Sec. 18-21; Fed. Stats. Ann. No. 23 pamphlet supp. p. 44.
Motions were made by attorneys for the relators to strike certain matters from the amended return and demurrers to the return of the respondent were filed and finally a motion for a peremptory writ of mandamus was filed.
The amended return is thus attacked as a whole and in its several parts.
The respondent contends that there was necessarily involved in the judgment exercised by the Interstate Commerce Commission in resolving to and actually issuing the Certificate of Public Necessity and Convenience to the respondent upon the application made by it in the matter of the extension of its interstate line from Perry northward, all incidental matters including the abandonment of the rpad from the point called Yustee to Monticello and the discontinuance of the depot at the old site.
The Interstate Commerce Act, as amended by the Transportation Act of 1920 (U. S. C. A., Title 49, Chap. 1, Sec. 18-21) was referred to by this Court in the opinion on the motion to quash the alternative writ in this cause and need not be again quoted. See State ex rel. Davis v. Atlantic Coast Line Ry. Co., supra.
In the exercise of its power to grant or withhold such certificates of necessity and convenience the Interstate Commerce Commission must necessarily use the mental processes of apprehension, perception and discrimination. In
It is inconceivable that in a matter affecting the transportation difficulties and conveniences of a great country, one of the greatest problems which the people confront, a national body vested with the power to determine the measure of public necessity or convenience which would justify the granting or refusal of a permission to do certain railroad construction work involving the curtailment or extension of public transportation service that there should be applied to its procedure and practice the narrow rules applicable to the construction of a plea in abatement in a cause at law.
Nor should the same strict rules for determining whether a former judgment would operate as res adjudícala of a subsequent action be invoked as applicable in deciding whether the Certificate of Public Convenience granted to the respondent constitutes its authority for doing the act of which complaint is made.
In his work on judgment Mr. Freeman says that it is frequently impossible to obtain sufficient data to form any satisfactory conclusion whether a former judgment will operate as res ad judicata of a subsequent action without looking beyond the record in the former suit and ascertaining from any competent evidence what were the real issues brought before the court and necessarily entering into the consideration of the judgment. And whether the issues in the former action sufficiently appear from the record
In the former opinion in this case it was said: “We think that, in view of these provisions (referring to the Interstate Commerce Act as amended by the Transportation Act of 1920), the conclusion is inescapable that the acquirement of a certificate of convenience and necessity is a prerequisite to the abandonment on the part of the railroad company of any portion of its line of railroad, and that the said act clearly imposes the burden on the carrier by railroad to secure such certificate. When secured, it is a complete defense to an action of this kind, but, until secured, abandonment may be enjoined as provided in paragraph 20.”
Applying this holding to the rule announced by Freeman and approved by this Court on the subject whether a former judgment will operate as res adjudicata of a subsequent action we should enquire into every circumstance or question falling within the purview of the respondent’s application for the certificate and all matters which the Interstate Commerce Commission had before it and may have considered as material in arriving at the conclusion whether the certificate should or should not issue.
The conclusion seems inescapable therefore that all the circumstances having any material beaming upon the ap
The demurrer to the amended return and the motion to quash should be overruled and denied.
The rule is established in this State that relator by moving for a peremptory writ of mandamus admits the truth of the well pleaded averments of facts that are contained in the answer or return. See State v. Apalachicola Northern Ry. Co., 81 Fla. 394, 88 So. R. 310.
We think that the matter of the removal of the track from Yustee to Monticello and the abandonment of the old depot within the corporate limits of the city constituted a necessary part of the entire subject considered on the application for the Certificate of Public Necessity and Convenience. It was actually considered as involving part of the expense to which the railroad would be subjected in constructing the extension as was the estimated cost of a new depot at Monticello.
According to the answer of the respondent, the Interstate Commerce Commission had presented before it and actually considered the following facts and propositions: first, an interstate railway corporation which desired to extend its railroads from Perry northward to a point where it would connect with its main line from Jacksonville to Montgomery near Thomasville; second, the territory that such an extension would serve embracing the western or gulf counties of southern Florida and counties between them and the Georgia line; third, and the commerce which such an extension would open up or develop; fourth, the
The Commission had before it a map or drawing of the proposed extension drawn to a scale showing the line of the proposed extension, the location of the town of Monticello, the line of road from Yustee to the eastern side of the town and the line of the proposed extension passing to the west of the town and about five or six hundred feet further west from the western boundary of the city than the site of the old depot from that line. In considering the estimated cost of the extension the Commission had before it the estimated cost of the removal of the old track as well as the cost of the erection of a new depot. These were material matters to be considered in determining whether the public necessity and convenience required the maintenance and operation of the two depots in the town of Monticello and the maintenance and operation of two approaches to them.
These views are consistent with those expressed by the
The answer also averred the existence of other extrinsic facts which the Commission considered in determining the question whether the Certificate of Necessity and Convenience should be awarded. The proposition as submitted to the Commission clearly involved the matter of change so far as the town of Montieello was concerned not in the service to be rendered by the railroad but in the points to and from which it was to be rendered when the extension should be completed.
This action is not one to enjoin the removal or abandonment of a railroad track and the discontinuance of a depot located at the terminus of that track but it is an action to require the restoration of the same, which were abandoned under the interpretation in good faith of the Certificate of Necessity and Convenience issued by the Commission and pleaded in this cause, and a continuation of the service as formerly rendered. The mere restoration of the track would be futile unless the railroad company could be compelled to continue the service thereby giving to the town a double or additional service at an expense to the railroad and inconvenience to the general public out of proportion to the value or local necessity for such service.
That question is one which is properly addressed to the Interstate Commerce Commission and would require in view of all the circumstances a certificate of public necessity and convenience to justify.
I am of the opinion that the answer is a complete defense to the alternative writ. If it is not, a peremptory writ should be awarded to which only one answer can be made and that is obedience. 38 C. J. 545; 19 Standard Ency. Proc. 281. There is no return to a peremptory writ. It is to be obeyed and a certificate showing obedience is to
' Nor will a peremptory writ be issued where the respondent cannot be compelled to do all that is required by the alternative writ. State v. Call, 39 Fla. 165, 22 So. R. 266; State v. Atlantic Coast Line R. Co., 53 Fla. 650, 44 So. R. 213, 13 L. R. A. (N. S.) 320 n, 12 Ann. Cas. 359.
The judgment awarding a peremptory writ allows the respondent ninety days in which to file an answer showing what under the law it was required to show by the alternative writ. It allows a defense other than obedience to be interposed to the judgment. It introduces an anomaly in proceedings of this character. The effect is merely another alternative writ in which a longer time is allowed respondent to show cause than the alternative writ first issued allowed.
The State either lias the power to command the reconstruction of the track and continuance of the service at the old station or it has no such power. The respondent was given its opportunity to make its ansAver. It has made its answer which is sufficient or it is not sufficient. If it is not sufficient the writ should issue Avhich requires a certificate showing obedience not AAdiat it has already undertaken to shoAV, which was that it had authority from the Interstate Commerce Commission to do the act of which complainant was made. If a doubt exists as to the propriety of the writ it should not issue.
A peremptory writ should not be awarded and then withheld to give an opportunity for further defense. Rather an order should be made that the respondent should have more time in which to shoAV cause why the track should not be rebuilt and service not be resumed at the old station which is all that was required by the first writ.
