Holland Furnace Co. v. Purcell

125 F. Supp. 74, 1954 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 2626, 1954 Trade Cas. (CCH) 67,858
CourtDistrict Court, W.D. Michigan
DecidedSeptember 23, 1954
DocketNo. 2495
StatusPublished
Cited by1 cases

This text of 125 F. Supp. 74 (Holland Furnace Co. v. Purcell) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, W.D. Michigan primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Holland Furnace Co. v. Purcell, 125 F. Supp. 74, 1954 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 2626, 1954 Trade Cas. (CCH) 67,858 (W.D. Mich. 1954).

Opinion

STARR, District Judge.

The plaintiff, a Delaware corporation with its principal office and place of business in Holland, Michigan, is engaged in the manufacture and sale of warm-air furnaces and heating equipment. On May 4, 1954, the Federal Trade Commission issued its complaint against said Holland Furnace Company, the Commission’s docket No. 6203, alleging that the company had violated certain provisions of the Federal Trade Commission Act and that a proceeding by the Commission in respect to such alleged violations would be in the public interest. In particular, the Commission’s complaint alleged certain practices of the furnace company as being to the prejudice and injury of the public and the competitors [76]*76of the company, and constituted unfair acts and practices in commerce and unfair methods of competition in commerce within the intent and meaning of the Federal Trade Commission Act. The defendant James A. Purcell, a qualified hearing examiner of the Commission, was appointed as hearing examiner in this proceeding against the furnace company.

On September 15th of this year the plaintiff filed complaint in this court in which it asked that a temporary restraining order be issued restraining the defendant and those acting in concert with him, from holding any of the hearings scheduled in the August 18, and September 3, 1954, orders of the Commission’s hearing examiner, (1) until such time as the plaintiff's appeals then pending before the Federal Trade Commission are disposed of and (2) until such time as the hearing examiner shall have disposed of certain motions then pending before him and (3) until the Commission shall have ruled on any appeal that the plaintiff may take from such rulings and (4) until such time as the plaintiff shall have been afforded an opportunity for submission and consideration of facts, arguments, offers of settlement or proposals of adjustment, as provided by § 5(b) of the Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C.Á. § 1004 (b). Plaintiff further asked that an order be entered directing defendant to show cause why a temporary injunction should not be issued against him, and that upon final hearing said temporary injunction be made permanent.

Upon the filing of the complaint the court issued its temporary restraining order enjoining the defendant hearing examiner and persons acting with him from holding any of the hearings scheduled in the examiner’s orders of August 18, and September 3, 1954, and directing the defendant to show cause before the court- on September 24, 1954, why a preliminary injunction should not be issued as prayed for in the complaint. On September 17th the defendant filed a motion to dissolve the temporary restraining order, on the grounds: (1) that the complaint did not state a cause of action upon which the relief sought could be granted, and (2) that this court is without jurisdiction of the subject matter of the suit. A hearing was held on this motion, and the court has considered the pleadings and exhibits and the arguments and briefs of counsel... To present clearly the questions raised by, the complaint and the defendant’s ’ motion to dissolve the temporary restraining order, it is necessáry to set forth in some detail, the allegations of the..complaint. Plaintiff alleges in part:

“On May 4,- 1954, the Federal Trade Commission issued its complaint against this plaintiff as respondent in the matter of Holland Furnace Company, a corporation, Federal Trade Commission Docket 6203, charging this plaintiff with certain violations of the Federal Trade Commission Act. Said complaint established June 29, 1954, as the time and Grand Rapids, Michigan, as the place for initial hearings to be held, and notified this plaintiff, as respondent, of its option to file answer to the allegations therein contained. Said complaint was received by this plaintiff on May 14, 1954.
“On May 18, 1954, this plaintiff, as respondent in the aforesaid administrative action, filed its request for an extension of time in which to answer.
“On June 10’, 1954, plaintiff, as such respondent, filed its request that the initial hearing so scheduled be postponed until July 27, 1954.
“On June 16, 1954, defendant hearing examiner issued an order cancelling date of hearing and' setting new date, which established-• July 27, 1954, as the time and Grand Rapids, Michigan, as the place for initial hearings in said administrative action.
“On June 23, 1954, plaintiff filed > its answer of respondent to com- ", plaint and a motion for more definite:, [77]*77statement or bill of particulars, together with brief in support thereof. The former denied generally the allegations of the complaint, and specifically the allegations fundamental to the Commission’s jurisdiction.
“On July 7, 1954, defendant hearing examiner issued ruling by hearing examiner on respondent’s motion for bill of particulars, denying same.
“On July 13, 1954, defendant hearing examiner issued notice of hearings, establishing a schedule of hearings to be held in the cities of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Rock Island, Illinois, Chicago, Illinois, St. Louis, Missouri, Indianapolis, Indiana, and Cincinnati, Ohio, commencing on July 27, 1954, and continuing through August 12,1954.
“On July 15, 1954, plaintiff, as respondent, transmitted to the secretary of the Commission for filing its appeal of ruling of hearing examiner on respondent’s motion for bill of particulars, together with brief in support thereof and request for oral argument.
“On July 21, 1954, counsel (for Commission) supporting the complaint filed his brief in opposition to the appeal of respondent, aforesaid.
“On July 21, 1954, plaintiff, as respondent, transmitted to the secretary of the Commission for filing three separate motions and briefs in support thereof, namely:
“Motion for suspension and referral, seeking suspension of adversary proceedings in the matter at hand and the referral thereof to the bureau of industry cooperation of the Commission for informal consultation, negotiation, compromise and eventual settlement, in conformity with the Commission’s published policies.
“Motion for preliminary hearing, requesting that a preliminary hearing or hearings be held to determine the question of jurisdiction which was at issue by reasons of its having been alleged in the complaint and denied in the answer.
“Motion to change place of hearing, seeking to remove the scheduled hearings to a location more convenient to this plaintiff.
“On July 22,1954, defendant hearing examiner issued notice of cancellation of hearings, for the reason, as later set forth in the record, that the appeal of ruling by hearing examiner on respondent’s motion for bill of particulars was then pending before the Commission.
“On July 27, 1954, the Commission issued its order denying appeal from ruling of hearing examiner, denying the appeal aforesaid.
“On July 29, 1954, counsel (for Commission) supporting the complaint filed their answer to respondent’s motion for preliminary hearing, which was received by this plaintiff on July 31, 1954.

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Bluebook (online)
125 F. Supp. 74, 1954 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 2626, 1954 Trade Cas. (CCH) 67,858, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/holland-furnace-co-v-purcell-miwd-1954.