Stafford v. Wallace (1922)

Stafford v. Wallace (1922)
258 U.S. 495, 42 S.Ct. 397, 66 L.Ed. 735

Majority: CJ Taft, Brandeis, Clarke, Holmes, McKenna, Pitney, De Vanter.
Dissenting (without opinion): McReynolds. Not participating: Day.

BACKGROUND: In 1921 Congress enacted the Packers and Stockyards Act to regulate activities of meat packers that were unfair, discriminatory, deceptive, or that encouraged the formation of monopolies. Stafford, the petitioner of a livestock firm, sued the Secretary of Agriculture Wallace for the reason:

"That the operation of stockyards did not constitute interstate commerce, and therefore Congress did not have authority under the commerce clause of the U.S. Constitution to enforce the Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921."

Major Constitutional Question: Does the United States Congress have the authority to regulate the operation of stockyards as permitted by the Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921?

Decision of the Court: Yes it does.

Author of the opinion: Chief Justice Taft

Opinion of the Court: The regulation of the stockyards is within the constitutional authority of the Congress. The stockyards were not "places of rest or a final destination," hence they fell under the interstate commerce clause's jurisdiction. These stockyards are considered "a throat through which the current of commerce flows." Hence, "the orders of the District Court refusing the interlocutory injunctions are affirmed."

Good source-- http://law.jrank.org/pages/13658/Stafford-v-Wallace.html