Conclusion:
Yes. The statute did not provide procedural due process: railroads received no hearing or other chance to defend their rates before the commission. Moreover, a rate's reasonableness "is eminently a question for judicial investigation, requiring due process of law for its determination." A company denied the authority to charge a reasonable rate and unable to turn to a judicial mechanism for review would be deprived of the "lawful use of its property, and, thus, in substance, and effect, of the property without due process of law."
