The Supreme Court of the United States, in a unanimous decision, upheld the authority of the federal government to halt the strike. among the several states,» and to establish post offices and post roads. When the American Railway Union struck, it interfered with the railroad’s ability to carry commerce and mail which benefited the needs and «general welfare» of all Americans.
A New York law set limits on how many hours bakery employees could work. Lochner was convicted and fined fifty dollars for permitting an employee to work more than the lawful number of hours in one week. On appeal, Lochner claimed that the New York law infringed on his right to make employer/employee contracts. At issue was whether a law which limited the number of hours bakery employees were allowed to work interfered with the bakery owner’s right to make employer/employee contracts.