In the 1909 case of St. Louis, Kansas City and Colorado Railroad Company v. Wabash Railroad Company and City of St. Louis, the U.S Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Wabash Railroad Company and City of St. Louis against a claim by the plaintiff that they were unfairly denied access to certain railroad tracks owned by defendants within city limits under an ordinance passed by the city council granting exclusive use rights to defendant's company only. The court held that there was no violation or infringement on interstate commerce laws as claimed because it was within local jurisdiction for municipalities like cities to regulate their internal affairs including railroads operation without interference from federal government unless where expressly provided for in constitution or statutes enacted by Congress.

In the dissenting opinion for the case between St. Louis, Kansas City and Colorado Railroad Company v. Wabash Railroad Company and City of St. Louis, it was argued that the majority's decision to uphold a city ordinance requiring railroads to elevate their tracks in certain areas infringed upon interstate commerce regulations set by Congress. The dissenting justices believed that this local law interfered with federal authority over railroad operations across state lines, which could potentially disrupt trade and transportation nationwide if other cities followed suit with similar ordinances. They also expressed concern about potential financial burdens placed on railroad companies due to these requirements, arguing that such costs might be passed onto consumers or result in decreased service quality or availability.