Maine Motor Coaches, Inc. v. Public Utilities Commission

The petitioner under Chap. 211 of the Public Laws of 1923 applied to the Public Utilities Commission for a certificate to operate motor busses on certain highways of the state over prescribed routes for the carriage of passengers for hire. After hearing, a certificate was refused by the Commission. The petitioner then applied to a justice of this court for a writ of mandamus to compel the issuance of a certificate on the ground that it was a ministerial act and no discretion is vested in the Commission in the issuing of such certificates.

The justice below, after hearing, refused to issue the…