UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT DECISIONS ON-LINE

THURSTON MOTOR LINES, INC. V. JORDAN K. RAND, LTD., 460 U. S. 533 (1983)

460 U. S. 533

U.S. Supreme Court

Thurston Motor Lines, Inc. v. Jordan K. Rand, Ltd., 460 U.S. 533 (1983)

Thurston Motor Lines, Inc. v. Jordan K. Rand, Ltd.

No. 82-713

Decided March 28, 1983

460 U.S. 533

Syllabus

Held: Federal question jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1337 exists over petitioner common carrier's action in Federal District Court, where petitioner alleged that respondent failed to pay a specified amount in motor freight charges, as required by petitioner's tariffs on file with the Interstate Commerce Commission, and that the action arose under the Interstate Commerce Act. Louisville & Nashville R. Co. v. Rice, 247 U. S. 201, is controlling. Petitioner's suit cannot be characterized as a "simple contract-collection action." A carrier's claim is, of necessity, predicated on its tariffs regulated by the Interstate Commerce Act -- not an understanding with the shipper.

Certiorari granted; 682 F.2d 811, reversed and remanded.


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