Old Colony R. v. Gill

257 F. 220, 1 A.F.T.R. (P-H) 1031, 1916 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 1778

• Court: District Court, D. Massachusetts
• Decided: June 28, 1916
• Docket: Nos. 259, 367, 582
• Status: Published

Opinion

BINGHAM, Circuit Judge.

[1] The Old Colony Railroad Compa-

ny was riot a corporation engaged in business during the years 1909, 1910, 1911, and 1912, within the meaning of the Corporation Tax Law of August 5, 1909, ,§ 38, 36 Stat. 112, and was not subject to the imposition of the tax therein authorized. N. Y. Central & Hudson R. R. R. Co. v. Gill, 219 Fed. 184, 134 C. C. A. 558; Traction Cos. v. Collectors, 223 Fed. 984, 139 C. C. A. 360; Miller v. Snake River Valley R. R. Co., 223 Fed. 946, 139 C. C. A. 426; Public Service Ry. Co. v. Herold, 229 Fed. 902, 144 C. C. A. 184; Anderson v. Morris & Essex R. R. Co., 216 Fed. 83, 132 C. C. A. 327. The New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad Company operated the demised roads as lessee and not as agent. After the lease was given the Old Colony Railroad Company did not exercise the powers of a principal, but simply those of a lessor.

[2] The taxes assessed against the lessor during the years in question were illegal, and, having been paid under protest, the plaintiffs are entitled to recover the same with interest. National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers v. Parrish, 229 U. S. 494, 496, 33 Sup. Ct. 944, 57 L. Ed. 1296.

In No. 259 judgment will be entered for the plaintiffs for $13,515.30, with interest thereon from June 30, 1910, and costs.

In No. 367 judgment will he entered for the plaintiffs for $14,204.80, with interest thereon from June 28, 1911, and costs.

In No. 582 judgment will he entered for the plaintiffs for $14,624.80, with interest thereon from June 30, 1912, and for $15,114.80, with interest thereon from April 16, 1914, and costs.