Opinion ID: 1480915
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Law Jurisdiction

Text: The order appealed from is an interlocutory order but is none the less appealable. Since the interveners prayed specifically for the winding up of the receivership, the order denying their prayer is one which is included within the exceptions of Section 129 [4] of the Judicial Code, 28 U.S. C.A. § 227. Since the appeal is properly before us we have the duty to determine the jurisdiction of the court below over the parties and the subject matter of the litigation. Mitchell v. Maurer, 293 U.S. 237, 55 S.Ct. 162, 78 L.Ed. 338. We also must determine whether the power of the court below was invoked for a purpose for which, under the allegations of the amended complaint, it might not be exercised. Scattergood v. American Pipe & Construction Co., 3 Cir., 249 F. 23, 25. The equity of the complaint, the relief granted and all other issues are before us in the appeal. Smith v. Vulcan Iron Works, 165 U.S. 518, 17 S.Ct. 407, 41 L.Ed. 810; Cabaniss v. Reco Min. Co., 5 Cir., 116 F. 318, 320; Arkansas Southeastern R. Co. v. Union Sawmill Co., 5 Cir., 154 F. 304, 311; Guardian Trust Co. v. Kansas City Southern Ry. Co., 8 Cir., 171 F. 43, 51, 28 L.R.A.,N.S., 620; Shubert v. Woodward, 8 Cir., 167 F. 47, 61, and Jones v. Haller, 2 Cir., 123 F.2d 845, citing Holmberg v. Carr, 2 Cir., 86 F.2d 727. But see Grand Beach Co. v. Gardner, 6 Cir., 34 F.2d 836; Miller v. Pyrites Co., 4 Cir., 71 F.2d 804; and Martin v. Partridge, 8 Cir., 64 F.2d 591, 592. The court below unquestionably had jurisdiction of the parties and of the subject matter of the suit. The question for our consideration is whether under the allegations of the amended complaint, the court's power was invoked for a purpose for which it might not be exercised. We think for a number of reasons that the equity power of the court was erroneously invoked.