Illinois v. Indiana Et Al.
Headline: Court approves Special Master’s reports, dismisses Illinois’s claims against six companies, and orders costs and the Special Master’s pay to be taxed and paid, affecting the States, cities, and named firms.
Holding: The Court approved the Special Master’s Fourth reports, dismissed the amended complaint as to six named companies, and ordered costs and the Special Master's compensation to be taxed and paid.
- Dismisses Illinois’ claims against six named companies, ending the suit as to those firms.
- Orders costs for Sept 8, 1948–Sept 7, 1949 to be taxed as recommended.
- Approves Special Master reports and fixes his compensation and expenses.
Summary
Background
The State of Illinois filed an amended complaint against the State of Indiana, two Indiana cities, and several companies. The Special Master prepared a Fourth Special Report and a Fourth Interim Report dated September 7, 1949, about the ongoing proceedings. Illinois and some defendants filed joint motions to dismiss the complaint as to six named companies: Cities Service Oil Company, Cudahy Packing Company, Inland Steel Company, National Tube Company, Sinclair Refining Company, and Socony-Vacuum Oil Company.
Reasoning
The Court approved the Special Master’s Fourth Special Report and the Fourth Interim Report. It granted the joint motions and dismissed the amended complaint as to the six named companies. The Court adopted the Special Master’s recommendation about how costs should be apportioned for the period from September 8, 1948, to September 7, 1949, and ordered those costs to be taxed accordingly. The Court also fixed the Special Master’s compensation and allowed his expenses as of September 7, 1949. Finally, the Court directed the Special Master to continue the proceedings under the Court’s earlier February 17, 1947 order.
Real world impact
For the six named companies, the dismissal ends Illinois’s claims against them in this case. The State and city defendants will have costs assessed according to the Special Master’s recommendations for the specified year. The Special Master will receive the fixed compensation and approved expenses, and other parts of the case will continue under the prior court order.
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