Title 47 — Telegraphs, Telephones, and RadiotelegraphsRelease 119-73not60
§601 Interstate Commerce Commission and Postmaster General; Duties, Powers, and Functions Transferred to Commission
Title 47 › Chapter 5— WIRE OR RADIO COMMUNICATION › Subchapter VI— MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS › § 601
Summary
Makes the Interstate Commerce Commission take over all duties in sections 9 to 15 about railroads operating telegraph lines that were built with government help. It also moves every power the Postmaster General had over telegraph companies and telegraph lines to the Commission. This transfer does not change or interfere with the Commission’s duties under subtitle IV of title 49.
Full Legal Text
Title 47, §601
Telegraphs, Telephones, and Radiotelegraphs — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)All duties, powers, and functions of the Interstate Commerce Commission under sections 9 to 15 of this title, relating to operation of telegraph lines by railroad and telegraph companies granted Government aid in the construction of their lines, are imposed upon and vested in the Commission: Provided, That such transfer of duties, powers, and functions shall not be construed to affect the duties, powers, functions, or jurisdiction of the Interstate Commerce Commission under, or to interfere with or prevent the enforcement of, subtitle IV of title 49.
(b)All duties, powers, and functions of the Postmaster General with respect to telegraph companies and telegraph lines under any existing provision of law are imposed upon and vested in the Commission.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
Codification In subsec. (a), “subtitle IV of title 49” substituted for “the Interstate Commerce Act and all Acts amendatory thereof or supplemental thereto [49 U.S.C. 1 et seq.]” on authority of Pub. L. 95–473, § 3(b), Oct. 17, 1978, 92 Stat. 1466, the first section of which enacted subtitle IV (§ 10101 et seq.) of Title 49, Transportation.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Transfer of Functions
Office of Postmaster General of Post Office Department abolished and functions, powers, and duties of Postmaster General transferred to United States Postal Service by Pub. L. 91–375, § 4(a), Aug. 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 773, set out as a note under section 201 of Title 39, Postal Service. Abolition of Interstate Commerce Commission and
Transfer of Functions
Interstate Commerce Commission abolished and functions of Commission transferred, except as otherwise provided in Pub. L. 104–88, to Surface Transportation Board effective Jan. 1, 1996, by section 1302 of Title 49, Transportation, and section 101 of Pub. L. 104–88, set out as a note under section 1301 of Title 49. References to Interstate Commerce Commission deemed to refer to Surface Transportation Board, a member or employee of the Board, or Secretary of Transportation, as appropriate, see section 205 of Pub. L. 104–88, set out as a note under section 1301 of Title 49.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
47 U.S.C. § 601
Title 47 — Telegraphs, Telephones, and Radiotelegraphs
Last Updated
Apr 5, 2026
Release point: 119-73not60