United States v. Union Pacific Railroad Company
District Court, S.D. Iowa · 1959-04-03 · cited 4×
This case involved the United States suing Union Pacific Railroad Company for violating federal commerce laws by offering a special delayed transit service to lumber shippers that was not listed in the approved tariffs, allowing shippers more time to find buyers while in transit. The court granted a permanent injunction against the railroad, prohibiting such practices. The reasoning was that the Elkins Act and Interstate Commerce Act prohibit any concessions, advantages, or discriminations not specified in tariffs, and defenses such as competitive necessity or established custom do not excuse the violations, as the statutes aim to eliminate all such subterfuges in interstate transportation.