Ham v. Maine-New Hampshire Interstate Bridge Authority

I. The Authority is a public agency. The status of such an agency, as a branch of the executive department of the state government, was considered in St. Regis Paper Co. v. Water Resources Board, ante, 164. While it derives its powers and functions by a delegation of authority from the legislatures of two states, this fact does not change its character and modify it into standing as a private corporation. Publicly owned, controlled and conducted, it remains public. While formed by a compact between two states, the compact does “not lead to the increase of the political power or influence of…