Case Name: HOUGHTON v. WHITIN MACHINE WORKS
Court: United States Circuit Court for the District of Massachusetts
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 1908-04-06
Citations: 163 F. 311
Docket Number: No. 340
Parties: HOUGHTON v. WHITIN MACHINE WORKS.
Judges: 
Reporter: Federal Reporter
Volume: 163
Pages: 311–311

Head Matter:
HOUGHTON v. WHITIN MACHINE WORKS.
(Circuit Court, D. Massachusetts.
April 6, 1908.)
No. 340.
Patents — Suits foe Infringement — Fees of Master in Accounting.
In the district of Massachusetts the sum of §25 is fixed as the normal rate of daily allowance for the services of a master in an accounting under a bill in equity for infringement of a patent, subject to increase or reduction whore particular cause is shown.
In Equity.
Louis W. Southgate, for complainant.
Wetmore & Jenner, for defendant.

Opinion:
LOWELL, Circuit Judge.
The court has to decide: What daily allowance should be made to a master in an accounting under a bill in equity for the infringement of a patent ? The master has. asked an allowance of $35. Counsel for the defendant has objected thereto.
An examination of the practice of this court shows that no regular fee is now established, either by rule or by custom. Some masters have charged at a higher rate; others, at a lower. After conference with the other judges, and careful consideration of the matter, I am authorized to say that we think $25 may be taken to be the normal rate of daily allowance, áubject to increase or reduction where particular cause is shown. The allowance in the case at bar is fixed accordingly. In other respects, the allowance asked by the master will be ordered.