Swayne & Hoyt, Ltd. v. United States

This is an equity suit brought by plaintiffs to set aside an order of the Secretary of Commerce requiring plaintiffs (who compose the Gulf Intercoastal Conference) to cease and desist the practice of entering with shippers into certain rate contracts.

The order complained of restrained plaintiffs from charging two separate rates for the same service: One, the higher, charged against those shippers who refused to sign contracts agreeing to use plaintiffs’ facilities exclusively; the other, a lower, charged against those shippers who enter into such contracts. The hearing was by a court…