Los Angeles Ry. Corp. v. Railroad Commission of California

Plaintiff’s electric car tracks occupy public streets in Los Angeles under franchises granted by the city and county of Los Angeles. Its bus lines are operated under permits granted by the county. In some of the franchises for electric lines, there are provisions that the rate of fare shall not exceed 5 cents, except under a proper showing before a competent authority having jurisdiction over rates of fare that such greater rate is justified; in others, there are clauses that the rate of fare for any distance one way shall not exceed 5 cents for one passenger. A franchise ordinance adopted in…