The U.S. Supreme Court case Interstate Commerce Commission v. Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad Company in 1909 revolved around the issue of whether or not the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) had the authority to mandate a railroad company to maintain and use specific types of safety appliances on its trains. The ICC argued that it was within their power under federal law to require such measures for public safety reasons, while the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad Company contended that this constituted an overreach of regulatory powers by a government agency. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the ICC, affirming its right to enforce regulations pertaining to railway equipment standards as part of its role in overseeing interstate commerce activities. This decision underscored the broad scope and reach of federal regulation when it comes to ensuring public safety within industries involved in interstate trade.

In the dissenting opinion for the case of Interstate Commerce Commission v. Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad Company, Justice Harlan disagreed with the majority's ruling that allowed railroads to increase their rates without first obtaining approval from the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC). He argued that this decision undermined Congress' intent when it established ICC as a regulatory body over interstate commerce. According to him, allowing railroads to unilaterally raise their rates would lead to arbitrary and potentially abusive pricing practices. Furthermore, he contended that such an interpretation could result in unchecked corporate power which was contrary to public interest. Therefore, he believed that any rate changes should be subject to prior review and approval by ICC in order protect consumers from potential exploitation.