In the case of Marine Railway & Coal Company, Inc. v. United States (1921), the Supreme Court examined whether a ship repair company could claim compensation from the U.S government for services rendered to vessels commandeered by the government during World War I under emergency powers. The court ruled in favor of the United States, stating that while it was true that these ships were taken over by an act of Congress and used for public purposes, this did not mean they became exempt from their contractual obligations or debts incurred prior to being seized by authorities. Therefore, any claims made against them should be directed towards their original owners rather than at federal authorities who took control later on as part of war efforts.

The dissenting opinion in the case of Marine Railway & Coal Company, Inc. v. United States argued that the majority's decision to uphold a federal law regulating shipping rates was an overreach of Congressional power under the Commerce Clause. The dissent contended that while Congress has authority to regulate interstate commerce, it does not have unlimited power to interfere with private business contracts and set prices for services rendered within individual states. They believed this level of regulation went beyond what is necessary or appropriate for maintaining free trade among states and infringed upon state sovereignty and individual property rights protected by the Constitution. Furthermore, they expressed concern about potential negative economic consequences from such extensive government control over industry pricing structures.