Case Name: In re NATIONAL TRUNK & LUGGAGE MFG. CO.
Court: United States District Court for the Southern District of California
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 1940-05-23
Citations: 33 F. Supp. 249
Docket Number: No. 33374-RJ
Parties: In re NATIONAL TRUNK & LUGGAGE MFG. CO.
Judges: 
Reporter: Federal Supplement
Volume: 33
Pages: 249–250

Head Matter:
In re NATIONAL TRUNK & LUGGAGE MFG. CO.
No. 33374-RJ.
District Court, S. D. California, Central Division.
May 23, 1940.
Earl Warren, Atty. Gen., of California, and John L. Nourse, Deputy Atty. Gen., of California, for State Board of Equalization.
Craig & Weller and J. P. Keleher, all of Los Angeles, Cal., for Paul W. Sampsell, trustee in bankruptcy.

Opinion:
COSGRAVE, District Judge.
The Supreme Court of the State of California has construed the law in question here, the California Retail Sales Tax, St.Cal.1933, p. 2599, as a tax upon the seller and not upon the buyer. Western Lithograph Co. v. State Board of Equalization, 11 Cal.2d 156, 78 P.2d 731, 117 A.L.R. 838. This interpretation is binding on the United States Courts. Erie Railway Co. v. Tompkins, 304 U.S. 64, 58 S.Ct. 817, 82 L.Ed. 1188, 114 A.L.R. 1487. The facts seem to bring the case within the reasoning of James v. Dravo Contracting Co., 302 U.S. 134, 58 S.Ct. 208, 82 L.Ed. 155, 114 A.L.R. 318, and I am compelled to disagree with the learned referee in bankruptcy.
The amendment to the act of June 30, 1939, Section 5 (f), St.Cal.1939, p. 2173, could not operate to invalidate the obligations which had already become fixed. Estate of Stanford, 126 Cal. 112, 54 P. 259, 58 P. 462, 45 L.R.A. 788.
The petition for review is granted, and order of the referee is reversed.