Puerto Rico v. Federal Maritime Board

We are asked to review a Federal Maritime Board ruling of April 28, 1960, that certain large rate increases for carriage of cargo between Puerto Rico and ports on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States are just and reasonable.1

In a report which accompanied its order the Board said: “We find that value of the vessels on the domestic market at or about the time the rate increase is requested with adjustments to eliminate short term peaks in vessel values, is the proper method for determining the reasonable value of the property being used for the public.” The Board did not say why it…