WASHINGTON, June 5, 1950 (UP) - The Supreme Court ruled 8 to 0 today that segregation of Negroes in railroad cars violates the Interstate Commerce Act. The opinion, however, did not rule on the constitutionality of the segregation regulations.
The Interstate Commerce Act makes it unlawful for a railroad to "cause any undue or unreasonable preference or advantage to any particular person ... or to subject any particular person ... to any undue or unreasonable prejudice or disadvantage in any respect whatsoever."
Justice Harold H. Burton delivered the opinion. Justice Tom C. Clark did not participate.
The court has before it two other cases dealing with segregation in state universities.
The court sent the dining car case back to the lower court with directions to relay it to the Interstate Commerce Commission for further action.
