Document: 395 U.S. 464 89 S.Ct. 1860 23 L.Ed.2d 474 UTAH PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION, Appellant,v.EL PASO NATURAL GAS COMPANY et al. No. 776. Argued April 29, 1969. Decided June 16, [Syllabus from pages 464-465 intentionally omitted] Vernon B. Romney, Salt Lake City, Utah, for appellant. Leon Payne, Houston, Tex., appellee, El Paso Natural Gas Co. Richard Hooper, Seattle, Wash., appellees, Cascade Corp., John F. Sonnett, New York Colorado Interstate Corp. Iver E. Skjeie State of California. Sol. Gen. Irwin N. Griswold The United States, at the invitation Court. William M. Bennett, San Francisco, Cal., consumer spokesman. Mr. Chief Justice WARREN delivered opinion 1 This is before us on appellant's motion to dismiss its appeal under Rule 60. Ordinarily parties may be consensus agree dismissal any pending this Court.1 However, there an exception where implicates a mandate we have entered in cause.2 Our involved here. We therefore ordered oral argument which all concerned were afforded opportunity heard question whether had been compliance with mandate. 394 970, 1453, 22 751. At number appellees supported motion. They included California, Company, Corporation, Intermountain Northwest Washington Water Power Idaho Public Utilities Commission, Utility Commissioner Oregon, and Transportation It erstate Southern California Counties Company was opposed by J. Flynn I. Daniel Stewart, brief amicus curiae, who appeared when case last here, v. Co., 386 129, 131, 87 932, 935, 17 814 (1967), now presents himself, argued orally, as 'consumer spokesman.' 2 Clayton Act § 7 case, 38 Stat. 731, 15 U.S.C. 18, acquisition stock assets Pacific Pipeline Corporation raised 'ultimate issue' 'the substantially lessened competition sale natural gas California.' States 376 651, 652, 84 1044, 1045, 12 12. divestiture 'without delay.' Id., 662, 1050. That 1964. later agreed settle case. As that said: 3 'We do not authority Attorney General suits after, well before, they reach Department Justice, however, stipulation or otherwise has no circumscribe power courts see our carried out. No one, except Court, alter modify du Pont De Nemours & 366 316, 325, 81 1243, 6 318. direction District Court provide 'divestiture without context plainly meant new company once restored position it could compete market.' U.S., 136, 937. 4 set aside consent decree remanded additional findings solution, saying: 5 'In present protection interests competitive system heart directing divestiture. For absorption stifled disadvantaged interests. indeed their interests, part public interest system, designed protect.' 135, On remand decided should choose among various applicants one 'best qualified make serious competitor' market. 291 F.Supp. 3. court chose only pipeline operator applicants. Under plan approved receives 5,000,000 shares nonvoting preferred stock, convertible into common end five years. What conversion ratio will known; but, said, provisions restrict control over Company. also assumes approximately $170,000,000 Paso's system-wide bond debenture indebtedness, amount designated Division's pro-rata share indebtedness. 8 Utah's jurisdictional statement, she moves dismiss, filed here Noveme r 25, 1968. statement below satisfies filing brings See duPont In fact, Utah urged does meet requirements duPont. thus need decide papers curiae Bennett properly presented compliance. find comply mandate: apportion reserves between manner consistent purpose mandate, complete vacate judgment further proceedings. 9 When 'The granted must less relation existing than independent; developed since merger equitably divided are told intervenors gets Juan Basin—which due geographical propinquity critical But merged company, discovered them, represented both Northwest. know what equitable division would require. Hearings necessary, followed meticulous made light adverted.' 136—137, 10 awarded 21.8% Basin saying 'no reserves' independent. gave more 50% net additions merger. Concededly total sufficient old Northwest's those project. 11 attempt paralyze market started years ago; suit 1957. record up entry shows, found, delay strengthened position. First, hold market, making difficult out-of-state supplier enter. Second, during 12-year period, taking might place stifled. Third, permits pipelines Texas Federal Commission. restore An allocation 'equitable' mind. leverage increased. say, particularly Basin—must rectify, if possible, used illegal strengthen object same relative vis-a -vis enjoyed immediately prior 13 A reallocation standard permit applicant other acquire force Thus, directed effect reserves, and, reallocation, reopen consideration Suh should, course, include award particular anti-competitive effects either markets. II. 14 did not, direct Neither appellant nor party supporting argues so. Rather argue disposition best divesture. Clearly E.I. 318, another 'complete divestiture.' 328, 1251. One proposed distribution Motors held Pont, most them distributed pro rata 10-year period stockholders; rest sold gradually period. 319—320, 1246 1247. Du Pont's alternate retain attributes ownership, passing through shareholders voting rights proportional holdings shares. approve but 334, 1254. very words suggest undoing remedy. Divestiture dissolution traditionally remedy Sherman violations whose intercorporate combination control.' 329, said adequate necessary 'of community found violate law.' 331, 1253. reason advanced allowing take rather cash reduce income tax burden. emphasized pinch private relevant fashioning antitrust decree, sole concern. supra, 326, S.Ct., 1250. 16 reasoning applicable Retention stockholders perpetuation degree community. Assumption indebtedness helps keep two companies league. severance managerial financial connections satisfy Only rudiments cause proceedings conformity opinion. 18 so ordered. 19 WHITE MARSHALL took decision 20 Judgment vacated remanded. 21 HARLAN, whom STEWART joins, dissenting. action taken today dismaying accustomed regard institution law. All semblance judicial procedure discarded headstrong effort result four members believe desirable. violation Court's rules, majority asserts dispose according own notions, despite fact participating lower satisfied interest. seeks justify extraordinary step ground Judge Chilson's painstaking 30 issued although (1) question1 (2) interested file full briefs issue. Actualy , appear, done substitute, sua sponte, one. I cannot possibly subscribe such abuse process. 24 Moreover, even impropriety precipitate course swallowed, seems me clear long complicated litigation.2 frustrating Cascade's command 'a market,' 937, adopted solution which, far can tell effectively realized goals Act. Indeed, unlikely order today, California's consumers ever obtain benefits lawsuit intended achieve initiated 25 addition parties, Arizona, Nevada, intervened below. plaintiff, Commission participated curiae. Jurisdictional Statement challenging decree. signified belief satisfactory. wishes appeal, reasonably suggesting dispute peripheral, prejudice consumers, considers inappropriate contest matter further. 26 majority, refuses 60 rules Court: 27 'Whenever thereto shall, attorneys record, clerk agreement writing petition writ certiorari, leave (an) dismissed, specifying terms respects costs, shall pay fees him, clerk, reference o urt, enter dismissal.' (Emphasis supplied.) 28 language rule clearer—the given absolute right scrutiny. Since 1858, expressly recognized existence right, Rivised Rules Sup.Ct. 29 (1858),3 questioned limited. Nevertheless, discussion whatever, ignores heretofore unquestioned interpretation declares 'there cause.' Ante, 466. handing down ipse dixit, overlooks teachings century practice, undermines basic policies support mere technicality predicated upon classical view function controversies settled litigants way. Marbury Madison, Cranch 137, L.Ed. (1803). process, perceive why feel constrained enforce subsequently agreed, completely voluntary bona fide way, different better accommodate labor enough deciding pressing disputes unable resolve; 'do justice' litigant complaining wrong committed. Nor suggest, decrees, being affected interest, surely are, always subject sponte enforcement 'Enforcement' laws province Executive Branch. proper thwart decides terminate litigation department Branch commence some brought.4 Although police mandates offends fundamental conceptions mean tht lacks constitutional act way done. Cf. Continental Insurance 259 156, 165—166, 42 540, 543, 66 871 (1922). legitimate maintaining integrity within entire conscientiously effectuate decisions unless learns abuses. Yet, establish constitutionality practice sits investigatory body roving commission travel length breath land policing mandates, indicates departure traditional norms never thought insure mandates. Even periods history greater risk seek frustrate decisions, considered rely bring attention prosecuting second petitioning mandamus.5 31 turn back traditions late date. drastic action, ad hoc manner, pressures closing days Term. Rather, change 60, appropriate rule-making proceeding, arguments sides canvassed dispassionate neutrality appropriate. 32 these reasons, grant put 12-year-old lawsuit.6 33 great hesitation consider finding enormous complexity. plaintiff defendant, nine Chilson testimony three months; covers 14,000 pages, mention voluminous exhibits. And yet, received merits satisfactory submitted suitable summary simply attempts persuade questions substantial. documents While many tendered motions request principally discuss reasons each reached full-scale analysis extended controversy. Memorandum Solicitor deals substance significant contains Government's Motion Affirm prepareda answer Statement. Yet 18-page document pretend deal thoroughly case's factual intricacies. 34 Despite inadequate briefing, emerges that, disobeying Chlson realistically promises fulfill purposes 35 'time essence' successfully 3, 28. situation powerfully supports his conclusion chances successful becoming remote every year. noted began 1957, market; contrast, strong past decade. Moreover: 36 'Although expanding appears offer opportunities recommendation staff 42-inch constructed grave concern, evidence line serve increments southern foreseeable future. Supreme limited future increments, yet certified service. Once increment certified, withdrawn competition. recommendations Commission's construction commended FPC examiner current proceeding 'bold constructive.' * 37 Government (in) Brief states: 'It too early predict ultimate final outcome proceeding. emerge law evident. If scale underway equipped contender least minimum qualifications consideration." F.Supp., 27—28. (CIG) potential purchaser real convince operate holds key Surely substantial basis prospective operated connection oil industry. decreases requiring day come operations finally commence. During lengthy become solidly entrenched progressed point FPC. 39 loser, prolongs reasons. violated requirement '(t)he Company.' unmistakeably demonstrates fully complied branch deny "no independent.' ante, 469. remains decreed resources quite easy, about much proportionate assets. 40 equal fastens resources, assured anticipated demand Company's customers source concern practically concluded just opposite obtains; 'can 20. show how, sense called 'inequitable.' perfectly guise enforcing really creating new, stringent, test illegitimate challenged legality decision, where, most, issue court's previous 41 claiming disobedience equally untenable. divestiture' sale. trial sale, finds obeyed. There several things argument. states required standards sets down: 43 'Disposition convenient speed conditions imposed sure controlling interest.' 141, 940. 44 require how plan, transferred CIG per se earlier again, created judging validity instead limiting itself fulfilled 'that interest' 45 pass, then, violates permitting domination competitor. vague Douglas, speaking Cascade, specific content explaining then review unsatisfactory. explanation highest importance determining contravened care. Douglas noting steps insulate bar officers, directors, owners one-half percent buying offering. limitation insufficient because: 46 prohibit families prohibited purchasers obtaining stock. Further, ps sible group stockholders, initial offering influence dominate Or, combine After exchange offering, restriction acquire. danger major may, subsequent purchase large blocks effective 140—141, 939. 47 defect Cascade. immediate family officer, director, owner convert preference time. person acts concert ban. addition, individuals permitted proportions thereby achieving indirectly. Officers, associates barred owning one-tenth next 5% outstanding CIG.7 48 stringent structure determine possible evade them. impossible manifests conscientious suggestions opinion.8 claim. Instead, carefully framed assure independence. analyze aspect contenting cryptic comment 'it (that) 468. III. 49 disobeyed is, short, based erroneous premises born superficial acquaintance 14,000-page record. surprising seen fit important benefit written tenuous chosen shatter centuries tradition promise consumers. 50 eventuates evinces unjudicial transcends marked appearance dissenting J., 143, 51 respectfully dissent. 60(1) provides: court, counsel eight argument: '(W)e reexamine it. urge, your confined out court.' incorrectly 'ordered mandate.' text hearing unequivocally shows requested address themselves requesting permission asked appeal: invited he desires. Harlan Stewart dissent, believing abuses processes. White, Fortas, Marshall matter.' 751 (1969). Pursuant order, time acted refusing decision. supra; (1964); cf. 369 482, 82 901, 54 (1962). provided: defendant error appellee hereafter, vacation term time, respective attorneys, sign writing, dismissed paying duty give copy filed; process provided cases vacation, indication little automatic forbid times. minor amendments, until July 1, 1954, replaced independent submit approval. See, e.g., Pan American World Airways, Inc., 1959 Trade Cas. 69,300, 75,138 (D.C.S.D.N.Y.). context, affirmative judiciary resolve dispute, while confront, none relief. re Potts, 166 263, 520, 994 (1897); Sanford Fork Tool 160 247, 291, 414 (1895); Ex parte Union Steamboat 178 317, 904, 1084 (1900). opposing spokesman,' stage question, state my views matter; believed Messrs. Flynn, Bennett. These November 7, 1968, approving Implementing Documents pursuant naming applicant. restrictions mentioned text, forbade officers directors associates, years; moreover, affiliates forbidden Steps CIG. relies heavily 318 (1961), claim breached. inter-corporate law' dissolved Nothing suggests, let alone holds, accomplish objective. Like established area.

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