Federal Trade Commission v. American Tobacco Co.

274 U.S. 543, 47 S. Ct. 663, 71 L. Ed. 1193, 1927 U.S. LEXIS 50

• Court: Supreme Court of the United States
• Decided: May 31, 1927
• Docket: 279
• Status: Published

Opinion

Mr. Justice McReynolds

delivered the opinion of the Court.

The statement of the petition for certiorari that the judgment and opinion below might seriously hinder future administration of' the law was grave and sufficiently probable to justify issuance of the writ.

Proper decision óf the controversy depends upon a question of fact. Did the American Tobacco- Company becomé party to the unlawful combination of.tobacco jobbers at Philadelphia to maintain prices? After considering much' evidence the Commission gave affirmative answer to that query; but the Circuit Court of Appeals thought there was nothing to support their view. 9 Fed. (2d) 570.

It now appears to us that this matter of fact is of no general importance. Accordingly, we adhere to the usual rule of non-interference where conclusions of Circuit Courts of Appeals depend on appreciation of circumstances which admit of different interpretations. And upon that ground alone we affirm the judgment below.

The opinion of the Circuit Court of Appeals is of uncertain intendment and is not satisfactory as an exposition of the law. What this Court has said in many opinions indicates cléarly enough the general purpose of the statute and the necessity of applying it with strict regard thereto-

Affirmed.