HUS'£EDE 'V. ATLANTIC REFINING CO.
669
I believe that if the additional evidence which has now been adduced had been submitted to that court, its decision would have been different. The Lampe patent was produced in that case, but the model made thereunder, which I have already discussed, was not presented. This new matter is applicable to patent No. 456,122 as well as to patent No. 317,202, and, as it shows that the Lampe patent supplied all the information necessary to enable a skilled mechanic to do all that was claimed by Reynolds in patent No. 456,122, it is a complete anticipation of that patent also. 5. The patent to George H. Reynolds, No. 458,917, dated September 1, 1891, is for "controlling device for elevators." Its second and third claims are involved in this suit, and are as follows: "(2) In an elevator control, mechanism having two control cables attached to and runnIng with the car, in combination with yieldingly supported pulleys,. as F F, adapted to rise and .fall together, substantially as described. (3) In a cable-operating mechanism for elevators comprising two control cables at· tached to the car, a weighted lever having sheaves, over which the cables run, for regulating and maintaining the tension of the cables, substantially as shown . and described."
This patent, as to its claims 1 and 3, was adjudged invalid by the circuit court for the Northern district of lllinois, in another case between the Crane Company and the Standard Company. Claim 2 was not considered; bUt, if the first and third claims are invalid, it would seem that the second must necessarily be so. The brief of complainants appears to impliedly concede this, but insists that this case "is much stronger than the former case." As respects the argument and manner of presentation this may be so, but if any new evidence has been introduced here, which would, if presented in the llIinois case, have affected its decision, it has not been pointed out, and I have not observed it. Therefore, following the judgment I have referred to, and without expressing any independent opinion, I hold that this patent is invalid. Let a decree be prepared in accordance with this opinion in each case. HUSTEDE et al. v. ATLANTIC REFINING CO.
(District Court, E. D. Pennsylvania. July 5, 1895.) No.5. LIABILITY OF WHARFINGERS-FIRE COMMUNICATED TO VESSEL BY FLOATmG OIL.
A vessel going for a cargo of oil to an oil wharf, where the water is always and unavoidably partially: covered with floating oil, assumes the risks incident thereto, and the wharfinger is not liable for damage occasioned to her by fire communicated from premises not owned by him, by means of 1l0ating 011 that escaped from sources over which he had no control.
This was a libel by Hustede and others, owners of the steamer Felix, against the Atlantic Refining Company, to recover damages caused to the vessel by fire while lying at defendant's dock. Henry Flanders and Edward F. Pugh, for libelants. John G. Johnson, for respondent.
670
FEDERAL REPORTER,
vol. 68. '
BUTLER, District Judge. The respondent is engaged in refining, and dealing in oil, at 'Point Breeze, Philadelphia; having two plants located on the side of the Schuylkill river, about half a mile apart, (the one above the other) connected by lines of pipe, placed under ground about 100 feet back from the river, and about 50 feet above it, through which oil is passed. It maintains wharves in the vicinity, of its works for the accommodation of vessels engaged in the trade, charging compensation for their nse. About midway between the plants a pump house of the Point Breeze Gas Works is located, at the water's edge, the works of which are driven by steam. It is built upon piles, with a wharf in front, cribbed on the water side. On the 28th of October the Felix, under charter to carry oil from Philadelphia, and subject to the respondent's orders as respects loading, was by the .latter's direction docked at its lower wharf. The water in that vicinity, and for a considerable distance above and below Point Breeze, was at the time, and ever since the commerce in oil there became large has been, partially covered with oil, the quantity increasing with the increase of the trade, which for many years past has been large, others besides the respondent (including many caITiers by water) being engaged in the business. On the morning of October 30th, while the Felix awaited her cargo, a fire was started in the pump house, (preceded by an explosion) which was carried so rapidly down the river that it communicated with the Felix and other vessels around her, before she could be removed; in consequence· of which she was substantially lost. It is not necessary to state more particularly the manner in which the loss occurred. I The suit is brought to recover for this loss. The cause of action, as I understand it, is founded substantially on an alleged failure of duty by the respondent as wharfinger, first in that it started the fire, by communicating oil to-the pump house furnace; and if it did not so start the fire, then second, that it allowed oil to escape into the river, by means of which the fire was carried below and the Felix destroyed. It is charged that the escape of oil resulted from carelessness; bunt is claimed that the respondent is liable for its escape and the consequences, whether this charge is true or not. Thus two primary questions of fact (omitting the allegation of negligence) are raised, the burden of proof respecting which is on the libelants: First. Did the respondent start the fire? Second. Did the oil in the river escape from its pipes? I have examined the testimony with care and am not satisfied that the libelants' allegation in either respect is proved; indeed I think the weight of evidence is the other way. As a discussion of the testimony would be a useless as well as burdensome task, I will do no more than state my conclusions with a brief and general reference to the reasons on which they are founded. As respects the first question it is not pretended that anyone knows cert:)jnly how the fire started. The libelants' allegation rests on inference. Oil is said to have been seen running out from the cribbing of the wharf and the bank; and it is therefore conjectured
HUSTEDE
v.
aTLAN'fWRl\lFINING
co.
671
that the pipes leaked, and that the oil from them ran into the pump house, came in contact with· the furnace :lire and caused the explosion. There is no room for doubt that oil was seen coming from the cribbing-though I believe the amount is greatly exaggerated. by the libelants' witnesses who speak of it-but it is much more reason· able to believe that it was carried there by the wind and tide, than that it came from the pipes. As the wind blew eastward and the water rose with the tide the oil on its surface would be carried up and into the bank and cribbing; and- as the water receded the oil would trickle out and down, and continue to do so for a considerable time after the water had disappeared. No oil was seen in the gas house before the :lire, nor was any sign of its presence there found upon subsequent examination. Witnesses say that such signs and traces would have been left if it had been there. Some of the li· belants' witnesses speak of the presence of oil "vapor" there before the :lire. This testimony however is not very satisfactory, and it is not suggested that this "vapor" caused the explosion. If oil had come in, those in charge must, it would seem, have discovered it and called attention to the subject. Its presence would have created serious danger and alarm; and the frequent previous explosions about the furnace and flues had so awakened inquiry for their cause that the presence of oil, even in the smallest quantity, could not have been overlooked. No suggestion of its presence was made until after this :lire. Indeed it seems virtually impossible that oil should have leaked from the pipes in sufficient quantity to pass through the intervening impediments, and enter there in view of the care shown to have been exercised in guarding against leakage, and of the testimony respecting the condition of the pipes when subsequently uncovered, and the condition of the ground around them at that time. To have gone there from the pipes it must have passed through considerably more than 100 feet of earth, and a retaining wall built back of the house, or passed under its foundation as well as that of the house, and then come up through a tightly cemented floor. If the presence of oil were shown, it would seem much more reasonable to believe that it came from the river by washing in under the wharf, and through or under the wall of the house on that side. The water and oil found in the well near the pump house constructed before the :lire, as also that found in the trench and holes dug in the edge of the bank at the time of the fire, and subsequently, doubtless came from the river. The openings made further back showed no oil. There is no direct evidence that the explosion was caused by oil from any source. Other highly inflammable substances were deposited in the river in that vicinity, by the gas works, which might as readily have caused it as oil, if brought into contact with the furnace :lire. As before stated, explosions had occurred there many times before, without a suggestion that they resulted from oil. Their cause was sought for and attributed to defective construction of gas flues, and "back draft" caused thereby. So confident was the belief in this theory that the construction was changed; but while the change seemed to diminish the number of explosions it did not en-
672
FEDERAL REPORTER';
vol. 68.
tirely avoid them. It seems to be much more reasonable to believe that the explosion which started this fire was caused by "back draft" than by oil. Indeed it was first attributed to this cause. The trifling leak shown to have occurred in one of the pipes a few days before the fire, cannot have had any connection with the explosion. The oil would probably show at the surface, through the ftlling over the pipe, sooner than elsewhere: and as soon as it was discoverable there the pipe was closed. Of course it is evidence that oil pipes may leak, (which hardly requires proof) but the promptness with which this leak was stopped shows the vigilance of those in charge of this business. As respects the second question what has been said in consider· ing the first applies with equal force here. The evidence that oil was seen coming from the wharf cribbing and bank, standing alone and unexplained, might support the allegation that it ran from the pipes. Difficult as it would be to believe this, for the reasons before stated, the conclusion would probably be unavoidable. When, however, it is seen that oil is at all times floating on the river, which the tide and wind must carry up and into the cribbing and bank, the conclusion ceases to be either unavoidable or reasonable. The libelants seem to suggest that the respondent's duty as wharf· inger, required it to guard the vessel against danger from oil in the river from other sources, over which it had no control. Possibly I have misunderstood the argument in this respect. Certainly such was not its duty. The respondent was required to keep the wharf in as safe a condition as was reasonably practicable under existing circumstances-as safe as such wharves can, with o'rdinary care, be kept. It was an oil wharf, a place for loading and unloading such merchandise; and the testimony shows that the waters about such wharves are and unavoidably, partially covered with oilresulting from the washing of tanks, escape in loading, and other similar causes. The Felix undertook to carry oil, which she could only get by going to such a wharf. She must have expected to find oil on the water there, and she saw it there as she approached. Whatever risk arose from its presence, (without the respondent's fault,) she assumed for the sake of the expected profit. In this view of the facts the important questions of law discussed by counsel need not be considered. The libel must be dismissed, with costs.
UNITED ELECTRIC SECURITIES CO. tI. x,.OVISIANA. ELECTRIC L. CO.
673
UNITED ELECTRIC SECURITIES CO. v. LOUISIANA ELECTRIC'LIGHT CO. et al. (Circuit Court, E. D. Louisiana. June 28, 1895.) 1. JURISDICTION OF FEDERAL COURTS-CITIZENSHIP OF PARTIES-INTF,RVENERS Where jurisdiction rests upon the diverse citizenship of. complainant and defendant, and, during the proceedings, a third party, who is a citizen of the same state with defendant, intervenes, the court will have no jurisdiction of his controversy with defendllnt, unless the controversy between complainant and defendant is one which draws to the court the possessioll and control of defendant's property, in which the intervener claims some interest. 2. CORPORATIONS-RIGHTS OF PURCHASERS OF STOCK. IN EQUITY,
B.
SAME-ApPOINTMENT OF RECEIVEIlS.
This was a bill by the United Electric Securities Company, of the state of Maine, against the Louisiana Electric Light Company for the appointment of a receiver and other relief. The American Loan & Trust Company, of Massachusetts, and the New Orleans Traction Company, of Louisiana, have come into the case as interveners. Fenner, Henderson & Fenner and Denegre & Denegre, for United Electric Securities Co., American Loan & Trust Co., and New Orleap.s Traction Co. R. C. Bell, Thomas J. Semmes, and R. S. Taylor, for Louisiana Electric Light Co. PARDEE, Circuit Judge. As the restraining order already issued in this case maintains the statu quo, I had intended to take the record, and, after thoroughly digesting it, file an elaborate opinion cov. ering the law and the facts; but being advised that other matters are pressing affecting the interests of the Louisiana Electric Light Company and the preservation of the trust fund, I have concluded to announce my already formulated views of the case, and file hereafter, if necessary, a full exposition of the equities involved. At the outset, it is to be noticed that the question now before the court is in relation to the steps which the court ought to take with a view of preserving the rights of parties and thesafety of the trust fund pendente lite. Of course, the court does not now undertake to settle and determine the rights of parties, and decree relief, as might be its duty upon a hearing on the merits of the case. At this time, therefore, I will not make any decided and conclusive finding as to the rights of parties, except as they appear upon the ex parte showing that has been made in the case. v.68F.no.7-43