PUBLIC SERV. COMM. v. ILLINOIS C.R. CO

Wade H. Creekmore, Asst. Atty. Gen., Jackson, for appellant. I. The decision of Public Service Commission is prima facie correct and should not be reversed since there was substantial evidence to sustain its findings. Citizens of Stringer v. Gulf, M. O.R. Co., 229 Miss. 1, 90 So.2d 25; Cobb Bros. Construction Co. v. Gulf, M. O.R. Co., 213 Miss. 706, 57 So.2d 570; Dixie Greyhound Lines, Inc. v. Mississippi Public Service Comm., 190 Miss. 704, 200 So. 579. II. The formula used by the Company is unsound and proper allocation of revenues and expenses show that the Anguilla station is not operating at a loss. P.U.R. Digest, 1948-1953, Supp. F, pp. 501, 508. III. The Commission's decision that public convenience and necessity require the Anguilla station to remain open was justified by the evidence. Wise, Smith Carter, Jackson; J.H. Wright, John W. Freels, Chicago, Illinois, for appellee. I. Where an order of the Public Service Commission is not supported by substantial evidence or is capricious or arbitrary or is beyond the power of the Commission to make, or violates a constitutional right of a party, a court of competent jurisdiction may review the order on appeal, determine the issues as a matter of law based on the evidence in the record and enter judgment accordingly. Citizens of Stringer v. Gulf, M. O.R. Co., 229 Miss. 1, 90 So.2d 25; Mississippi Public Service Comm. v. Illinois Central R. Co., 235 Miss. 46, 108 So.2d 573; Mississippi Public Service Comm. v. Illinois Central R. Co. (Miss.), 130 So.2d 254; Secs. 7699, 7815, Code 1942. II. Overhead or "line-haul" expense of a railroad is an essential element in the determination of profit or loss from freight revenue. Citizens of Stringer v. Gulf, M. O.R. Co., supra; Illinois Central R. Co. v. Louisiana Public Service Comm. (La.), 125 So.2d 159; In Re Denver R.G.W.R. Co. (N.M.), 9 P.2d 139; Mississippi Public Service Comm. v. Illinois Central R. Co., supra; Missouri Pacific R. Co. v. Louisiana Public Service Comm. (La.), 115 So.2d 337; Southern R. Co. v. Public Service Comm. (S.C.), 10 S.E.2d 769; Village of Myrtle, Union County, Miss. v. St. Louis-San Francisco R. Co., 239 Miss. 110, 121 So.2d 717. III. There is no absolute duty imposed upon a railroad company to maintain an agency station and the agency may be discontinued where it is not required by public convenience and necessity. Atcheson, T. S.F.R. Co. v. Illinois Commerce Comm., 397 Ill. 406, 74 N.E.2d 885; Citizens of Stringer v. Gulf, Mobile O.R. Co., supra; Illinois Central R. Co. v. Illinois Commerce Comm., 74 N.E.2d 845; In re Southern Pacific Co., 37 N.M. 11, 16 P.2d 402; Mississippi Public Service Comm. v. Illinois Central R. Co., supra; O'Keefe v. Chocago R. Co., 354 Ill. 645, 188 N.E. 815; 74 C.J.S., Railroads, Sec. 402(b). IV. A common carrier cannot be compelled to carry on its business or a branch thereof at a substantial loss and the final order of the Public Service Commission requiring appellee to maintain agency service at the Anguilla station was improper and void. Citizens of Stringer v. Gulf, M. O.R. Co., supra; Western Union Telegraph Co. v. Mississippi Railroad Comm., 166 Miss. 359, 146 So. 430; Amends, V, XIV Sec. 1, U.S. Constitution; Secs. 14, 17, Constitution 1890.