Document: 57 L.Ed.2d 239 98 S.Ct. 2370 437 U.S. 322 The GREYHOUND CORPORATION et al., Petitioners,v.MT. HOOD STAGES, INC., etc. No. 77-598. Argued April 24, 1978. Decided June 1 , Syllabus On October 7, 1964, respondent motor carrier instituted a proceeding before the Interstate Commerce Commission in which it asked ICC to reopen proceedings ICC, over respondent's opposition, had approved petitioner's acquisition of several bus companies, alleging that petitioner not lived up representations acquisitions would adversely affect respondent. December 14, United States petitioned for leave (and later was allowed) intervene proceeding, stating allegations made "a serious charge" but did know whether they were "true or false." After extensive hearings, decided against petitioner. In meantime on July 5, 1968, filed an action District Court alleging, inter alia, violations federal antitrust laws, and jury found Sherman Act fraudulent concealment such violations. court held Government's petition served toll statute limitations under § 5(i) Clayton (which provides "[w]henever any civil criminal is by prevent, restrain, punish . running respect every private right arising said laws based whole part matter complained shall be suspended during pendency thereof one year thereafter"), with result Act's four-year period extended back 1960, when combined create 20-year damages period. Appeals affirmed, holding literal wording controlling 5(i)'s purpose furthering effective enforcement permitting litigants benefit from governmental efforts advanced treating States' as "functional equivalent direct action" States. Held : tolled filing proceeding. Pp. 330-337. (a) plainly "instituted States" within meaning 5(i). It strains accepted usage argue party who intervenes someone else has also proceeding." fact, only institute position do so, since view its statement false," could good faith have charging necessary 330-331. (b) Neither States, 5(i), "complained of" anything based, charged no wrongdoing, took merits, sought relief, disclaimed knowledge relevant facts, seeking opportunity establish allegations. 331-332. (c) What now enacted ensure prior Government efforts, this construing applicable facts case, where action, itself tituted. 332-334. (d) Application case fail give weight Congress' amending provide uniform thus eliminate confusion caused determining state law. P. 334. 555 F.2d 687, vacated remanded. John R. Reese, San Francisco, Cal., petitioners. Eugene C. Crew, Mr. Justice BLACKMUN delivered opinion Court. This presents issue Act, amended, 88 Stat. 1706, 90 1396, 15 U.S.C. 16(i) (1976 ed.),1 operates limitations2 date previously plaintiff. 2 * Petitioner Greyhound3 Mt. Hood Stages, Inc. (doing business Pacific Trailways), are common carriers passengers package express subject regulation (ICC). Greyhound largest Greyhound's comparatively small competitors; routes Oregon, Idaho, Utah. Its principal between Portland, Eugene, Albany, Ore., west, Salt Lake City, east, Klamath Falls, south, Biggs Dalles, north. route authority surrounds Hood. 3 During 1947 1956, acquired control eight companies operating Western See Inc., 104 M.C.C. 449, 450, n. (1968). opposed four those acquisitions,4 that, if approved, traffic around Hood's operat ons thereby deprive public most convenient service jeopardize continued existence.5 4 successfully contended, however, intended to, not, consequences. represented 5 "would connecting carriers; arrangements carriers, including interchange open gateways, maintained; policy circuitous routes; agents instructed quote well their choice; always carried MH's schedules folders cooperated way acquaint promote additional lines."6 6 continue joint through-bus arrangement Hood.7 As anticipated, relied these proposed interest. Id., at 454-457, 461. 7 terminated year, Commission, pursuant 5(10) (formerly 5(9)) Act,8 various asking "for further hearing consider necessity attaching certain terms, conditions privileges therein granted" or, alternative, order divest operations proceedings. App. 4. essentially same suit, is, canceled connection, scheduled so preclude reasonable connections Hood, directed independent ticket send through use longer all-Greyhound routes, interfered ways distribution quotation rates services, all intent injuring 10-11. 8 Slightly more than two months later, 36. petition, stated interest urged hold observed "make charge," id., 37, added: "We knowing Mt denies true false; resolution controversies typical function hearing."9 37-38. 9 May 27, 1965, others granted permission 43. Such permission, condition "shall construed allow intervenors introduce evidence will unduly broaden issues raised Ibid. 10 evidentiary hearing, examiner resolved factual recommended entry requiring abide M.C.C., 464-496. Division sustained examiner's findings deferred supplemental voluntary negotiations parties. 462-463. 11 Oregon injunctive common-law statutory unfair competition. 46. complaint alleged, violations, beginning continuing complaint, restrained monopolized commerce carriage motorcoach luggage points Utah, means 49-52. 12 meanwhile, parties agree upon failed. entire therefore entered restore practices patterns existing authorized and, specifically, anticompetitive complained. Lines, v. 308 F.Supp. 1033, 1037 (N.D.Ill.1970). A three-judge denied motion set aside Commission's counterclaim issuance own similar granting relief. 1040-1041. Following Court's enforcing decision, amended suit prayer relief.10 57. 13 present interrogatories submitted jury. By special verdict returned 1973, alleged violated both §§ Act; fraudulently concealed January 1, 1953, 4, 1964; knew should known violation 1960. 82. trial modification Act. 80. period.11 Damages $13,146,090 (after trebling) awarded plus attorneys' fees $1,250,000 costs. 83, 104, 106. 14 appeal, Ninth Circuit affirmed. 687 (1977). We certiorari limited correctness interpretation Appeals.12 434 1008, 716, 54 750 (1978). II intervention toll, reason limitations, "[t]he section [5(i)] controlling." F.2d, 699. court, therefore, identify congressional behind effectuate purpose. court's view, "is benefits may flow efforts." Appeals, quoting (App. 80), declared " 'treating Antitrust lawyers functional them.' 700. 16 find reasoning unpersuasive. particular, we unable language unhelpful. holdings Appeals. A. 17 Logic precedent dictate '[t]he starting point involving construction itself.' Santa Fe Industries, Green, 430 462, 472, 97 1292, 1300, 51 480 (1977), Ernst & Hochfelder, 425 185, 197, 96 1375, 1383, 47 668 (1976), each Blue Chip Stamps Manor Drug Stores, 421 723, 756, 95 1917, 1935, 44 539 (1975) (POWELL, J., concurring). Examination prevents acceptance position. 18 Section begins: "Whenever ." (Emphasis added.) here foregoing demonstrates, acknowledged, "Mt. rather proceedings." "instituted" t observed: 19 "When term [to intervene] used reference legal proceedings, covers interpose in, become already Rocca Thompson, 223 317, 330, 32 207, 210, 56 L.Ed. 453 (1912) (emphasis added). 20 truth, so. stated, "no knowing" allegations, denied, At least question primarily form, reached first; substance, investigated enabling make seek relief "institute" 21 Just cannot neither of," based. cases applicability been considered determination matters "[i]n general must comparison complaints face." Leh General Petroleum Corp., 382 54, 65, 86 203, 134 (1965); accord, Luria Steel Trading Corp. Ogden 484 1016, 1022 (C.A.3 1973), cert. 414 1158, 94 917, 39 110 (1974); Rader Balfour, 440 469, 473 (C.A.7), sub nom. Alpha Chi Omega Rader, 404 983, 92 444, 30 367 (1971). question, indeed, facts. simply viewed States.13 B 22 Moreover, rely accurately manifests enacting section. noted, original 38 731, adopted response request President Wilson consisted material constitutes 5(a)14 5(i).15 speech Congress 20, 1914, permit victims "redress judgments proved suits Government" "the suffered run conclusion action. fair litigant obliged again proved."16 Cong.Rec. 1964 (1914). very quoted Minnesota Mining Mfg. Co. New Jersey Wood Finishing Co., 381 311, 318, 85 1473, 1477, 405 (1965). acceded President's request. efforts. U.S., S.Ct., 1476. Here, pointed out, initiated. 23 Accordingly, serve obvious another related important panel recently emphasized: "Although plaintiff correct asserting [§ 5(i)] serves broad beneficent aiding repose." Dungan Morgan Drive-Away, 570 867, 869 clear examination 1955 amendments 69 282. Before amendments, determined bred computation required brought, especially tolling provision (what 5(i)) came into play. onfusion, established years17 suspension extend "during pendency" thereafter." Finally, mandated, what proviso event tolled, forever barred unless commenced years after cause accrued."18 24 Senate Report accompanying reflects "undue prolongation [antitrust] proceedings" extending noted: 25 "While committee believes safeguard rights plaintiffs actions, recognizes many instances long duration taken conjunction lengthy tend prolong stale claims, impair efficient operations, overburden calendars courts. bill shorten treble-damage actions bring his accrued concluded. 26 considers highly desirable grant time thereafter does believe undue conducive laws." S.Rep.No. 619, 84th Cong., 1st Sess., (1955), U.S.Code Cong. Admin.News 1955, pp. 2328, 2332.19 27 emphasis certainty predictability application Appeals' treated 700, unacceptable. functional-equivalence standard, applied loosely, resurrects uncertainty concerning amendments. this, initial test require detailed review record see ultimately participation action." Government, course, change For example, Denver G. W. 387 485, 87 1754, 905 (1967), intervened position, Court, then "completely reversed" 490-492, 1758-1759. Thus, endorsement suggested mean might impossible determine until finally resolved. seems approach lead problems. 699 31. v.Morgan 870-871; cf. 210. To sure, problems say anytime participates regulatory regardless contends pro eeding. Even respondent, appears recognize undesirability result, support history statute.20 III 28 conclude, sum, judgment vacated, remanded consistent opinion.21 29 ordered. Chief BURGER, concurring. 31 I concur fully opinion, great reluctance; my entitled award treble ordered Given analysis involved here, today occasion focus egregious behavior toward Stages—aimed total destruction competitor. decade. "inspired desire stifle competition," particular "injure destroy" Mount 461 Beyond unlawful conduct, added step willfully disobeying assessing fines $600,000 Greyhound, careful "displayed contemptuous reluctance even commence compliance" order. iCorp., 370 881, 884 (N.D.Ill.1974). went note: "In extent willful defiance order, purposeful non-action, protracted resistance, emasculating interpretations notes 'paper compliance' program top management became actively securing compliance All suggests failure comply parts deliberate." 33 These determinations upheld 508 529 (CA7 1974). 34 There injured substantially Greyhound. clearly receive full measure damages. However am bound explicit ed.), precludes limitations. But carefully stresses, ante, 337 21, expressly reach claim equitable grounds. explicitly left open, 701 34, leaves free re-examine remand.* 35 Since remand allows inquiry tolling, apply traditional principles reaching decision. See, e. g., J. Pomeroy, Equity Jurisprudence 90-143 (5th ed.1941). forth provides: 15a title, State thereafter: Provided, That whenever 15c title hereunder, enforce either accrued." 4B, 283, 15b ed.). "Any sections 15, 15a, accrued. No law [Act] revived [Act]." Corporation Delaware corporation diversified company owning, among other assets, issued outstanding capital stock California corporation. 31, 1963, discontinued operation transferred properties 68; 465 convenience, refer corporations collectively "Greyhound." formal transfer end 1963 significance purposes litigation. withdrew opposition these. 452. 689 (C.A.9 1977). subsequent summarized. arrangement, initiated 1949, provided Francisco Spokane, using bridge Falls Biggs. shorter miles hours via Portland. better travelers profitable companies. 3. 63, 66, 49 "The time, shown, orders, paragraph (1), (2), (8), section, deem appropriate." Reiterating point, stated: grave false, answer raise too disposed summarily without adversary allegation denial can put proof cross-examination." 38. disobeyed adjudged contempt. Certain officers Fines aggregating imposed. 363 525 (N.D.Ill.1973), 881 (N.D.Ill.1974), aff'd, (C.A.7 2, supra, contained 4B Tolling essential beyond normal period, complaint. sum $5,194,617, trebling, issue. Other certiorari, granted, 5(12) 5(12), permitted treble-damages jury's standards manner "exclusive plenary" authority; 5(a) 16(a) base finding consent decrees testimony taken; concealment. distinguishable Federal Trade (1965), predecessor 16(b) (1964 FTC defendant actually laws. directly resulted order). 313, 322-323, 1474, 1479-1480. (the address) 45 1016 469 (C.A. 7), (1971); Lippa's, Lenox, 305 182 (Vt.1969). with, prevention punishment of, specific conduct charges litigant's compla nt showed Government. "A final decree heretofore hereafter rendered c[r]iminal brought behalf effect prima facie respecting estoppel thereto: title." version provided: equity prosecution restrain thereof." 731. Wilson's message frequently course debates explain 9090, 9488 283. H.R.Rep.No. 422, 8-9 (1955). suggest rational distinctions drawn. appropriate, given fact demanded enjoin violation. That, decline offer vel non context. 329, our Respondent nevertheless argues applicable, principles. Pursuant terms compulsion—indeed, justification—for distinct remand, merits. Similarly, remand. sitting chancellor, grounds well-established jurisprudence. American Pipe Constr. 538, 713 Burnett York Central 380 424, 1050, 941 Telegraphers Railway Express Agency, 321 342, 347-349, 64 582, 585-586, 788 (1944). With particularly appropriate addition "procedural" statute. Pipe, 558 29, 768.

Category: 7