Carter v. Carter Coal Co.
United States Supreme Court
298 U.S. 238 (1936)
Relevant factsFree
The Bituminous Coal Conservation Act created a national commission with power to set coal prices and establish labor-relations standards (including collective bargaining rights) for coal mines nationwide, incentivizing voluntary compliance through a tax rebate; a shareholder, Carter (plaintiff), sued his own company (defendant) to block payment of the noncompliance tax, challenging the Act's constitutionality under the Commerce Clause.
IssueFree
Whether Congress may use its Commerce Clause power to regulate purely local activities such as coal mining, wages, hours, and labor relations occurring entirely within a single state.