SOME QUESTIONS INVOLVED IN THE APPLICATION OF THE "PUBLIC INTEREST" DOCTRINE

It is just fifty years since the United States Supreme Court, in the now famous case of Munn v. Illinois, first gave sanction in this country to the doctrine that an enterprise may become "affected with a public interest," and in consequence be subject to public regulation. During the half century which has followed the decision in that case, the application of the doctrine has been steadily expanded, bringing within its scope an increasing range and diversity of enterprises. There is basis in economic fact for the belief that the classification of enterprises held to be "affected with a public interest" will continue to be enlarged.