Digital Commons Network^™

The Adequacy Of State Insurance Rate Regulation: The Mccarran-Ferguson Act In Historical Perspective, Spencer L. Kimball, Ronald N. Boyce

Michigan Law Review

Any substantial inquiry into the functioning of the insurance commissioner in American society poses the question, at the threshold of the inquiry, whether state regulatory power over the insurance business is likely to continue, or whether insurance will fall increasingly under the aegis of the federal government. This article seeks to ascertain the minimum conditions for the permanent preservation of state regulatory power over the insurance business, and to determine whether they are now satisfied. These conditions may be summarily stated: the Congress of the United States has shown its willingness to apply federal antitrust and marketing legislation to the …

"Congress Shall Make No Law…":Ii, O. John Rogge

Michigan Law Review

The framers of the federal bill of rights by the First and Tenth Amendments sought to deny Congress power over utterances unless they were connected with criminal conduct other than advocacy. Any power over such utterances was to reside in the states. However, the Supreme Court departed from the framers' intent.

One of the factors in this development was the emergence of an undefined federal police power. This occurred largely under the commerce and postal clauses. It began over a century ago. As early as 1838 Congress passed a law requiring the installation of safety devices upon steam vessels. Beginning …

Civil Rights - Legislation - The Civil Rights Act Of 1957, Thomas R. Winquist S.Ed.

Michigan Law Review

It is the purpose of this comment to note the nature of the prior legislation in the civil rights area, the provisions of the new act and the effect of the new act upon civil rights protection.

Schwartz: The Supreme Court: Constitutional Revolution In Retrospect, Paul G. Kauper

Michigan Law Review

A Review of The Supreme Court: Constitutional Revolution in Retrospect. By Bernard Schwartz.

Civil Procedure - Forum Non Conveniens - Judicial Adoption Of Doctrine When Statue Of Limitations Has Run Elsewhere, Jerome S. Traum

Michigan Law Review

Plaintiff, a Missouri resident, brought suit in Arkansas against defendant, a Missouri corporation authorized to do business in Arkansas, for injuries received in an accident in Illinois. Plaintiff had filed and dismissed an action in Missouri, and the statute of limitations had run in Illinois. Defendant's motion for dismissal on grounds of forum non conveniens was granted by the trial court. On appeal, held, reversed and remanded, one justice dissenting. Although the trial court could in its discretion refuse jurisdiction on the grounds of forum non conveniens, there was insufficient evidence in this case upon which a dismissal could …

Radzinowicz: A History Of English Criminal Law And Its Administration From 1750. Vols. 2 And 3., Jerome H. Hall

Michigan Law Review

A Review of A History of English Criminal Law and Its Administration From 1750. Vols. 2 and 3. By Leon Radzinowicz

"Congress Shall Make No Law..."*, O. John Rogge

Michigan Law Review

It is the position of the writer that, at least so far as Congress is concerned, speech is as free as thought, and that unless and until speech becomes a part of a course of conduct which Congress can restrain or regulate no federal legislative power over it exists. State power, despite the Fourteenth Amendment, may be somewhat more extensive. Certainly the framers of the First Amendment intended that it should be. This article will deal with federal power over speech.

The Impact Of The 12% Reserve Income Tax Provivsion Upon The Banking Structure, Paul D. Lagomarcino

Michigan Law Review

Ordinarily, it is difficult, if not almost impossible, to measure with any degree of accuracy the impact of a tax provision upon an industry. This is often so even after years of experience under it. Moreover, with few exceptions, it is an unusual tax provision that shapes the fundamental ·practices and competitive relationships within an industry, unless it is purposely directed to that end as a matter of policy, and, even then, it may (and frequently does) fail of its objective. Section 593 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 is unique in all these respects; on its face-a provision …

Corporations - Officers And Directors - Indemnification Of Expenses Incurred In Defense Of Contract Of Employment, John P. Williams

Michigan Law Review

Plaintiff, Sorenson, contracted with defendant, Overland Corporation, to become one of its directors, and the contract was approved by Overland's stockholders. After he began to serve as a director, Sorenson was made a party defendant to a stockholder's derivative suit attacking the propriety of his contract of employment with Overland. The derivative suit terminated in favor of Sorenson and he then brought an action for reimbursement of the counsel fees incurred by him in defending the stockholder's action. Plaintiff's action was under a corporate by-law providing that the corporation shall indemnify directors and officers against expenses incurred by them in …

Alcoholism And The Law, Melvin L. Selzer

Michigan Law Review

The American public has recently been subjected to a deluge of articles and books on the subject of alcoholism. While these contributions have been filled with valuable information, certain omissions have been noticeable. These omitted facts are of vital significance to any one wanting to gain insight into the broad problem of alcoholism. The first omission is a failure to stress that no one-or almost no one-knows who is alcoholic. This may include the alcoholic himself. It is a point of considerable importance in determining the proper disposition of certain criminal cases.

Constitutional Law - Due Process -Watkins V. United States As A Limitation On Power Of Congressional Investigating Committees, Allan F. Bioff S. Ed.

Michigan Law Review

It is the purpose of this comment to examine the nature and extent of the restraints imposed by the Watkins case as well as the potential problems raised by the decision.

A Supplement To "Constitutionality Of Marketable Title Acts"-1951-1957, Ralph W. Aigler

Michigan Law Review

An article bearing the title, "Constitutionality of Marketable Title Acts," was published in December 1951. It was there pointed out that such legislation, of which the Michigan act is an example, should be found to be within constitutional limits. It was recognized, however, that direct authority was scarce and that cases that might be deemed pertinent were conflicting.

Constitutional Law - Courts-Martial - Power Of Congress To Provide For Military Jurisdiction Over Civilian Dependents, Gerald M. Smith

Michigan Law Review

Defendants, civilian wives of servicemen living overseas, were tried and convicted of murder by military court-martial under article 118 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Their trials took place in the countries where they were living with their husbands. Defendants brought petitions for a writ of habeas corpus challenging the constitutionality of article 2(11) of the Uniform Code authorizing their trials by court-martial. Initially the United States Supreme Court rejected this contention. On rehearing, held, reversed, two justices dissenting. The guarantee of the right to jury trial contained in article 3, section 2, and the guarantees of the …

Creditor's Rights - Garnisment -Garnishment Of Branch Banks, Thomas S. Erickson S.Ed.

Michigan Law Review

Under traditional legal analysis, branch banks are regarded as mere agencies of the banking corporation. Service of process on their officers binds the corporate principal. With the principal thus having knowledge, ". . . that knowledge or notice communicated to the principal, which imposes a duty upon it, becomes by that circumstance, the knowledge of all its agents when acting in an official capacity." Garnishment at a branch bank would therefore seem to impose upon the bank corporation the duty of impounding funds of the principal debtor regardless of the particular branch in which they were located. If funds of …

Constitutional Law - Right To A Trial By Jury-Power Of Trial Court To Use Additur, Robert W. Steele S.Ed.

Michigan Law Review

The plaintiff brought suit against two defendants, claiming $56,000 for personal injuries suffered in an accident. Upon return of a jury verdict for the plaintiff in the amount of $3,000, the plaintiff moved for a new trial on the issue of damages. The trial court denied the motion on condition that defendants consent to the entry of a judgment of $9,830.92. Both defendants consented. Plaintiff appealed on the ground that the use of an additur constituted an infringement of his constitutional guarantee of a jury trial. Held/em>, affirmed. Conditioning the denial of a new trial upon the defendant's consent …

Constitutional Law - Certiorari - Integrity Of The Rule Of Four, Robert L. Knauss S.Ed.

Michigan Law Review

In four recent cases involving the Federal Employers Liability Act the Supreme Court of the United States, after granting certiorari, reviewed the facts of the cases to determine if there was sufficient evidence to allow the cases to be heard by a jury. Justice Frankfurter in a lengthy dissenting opinion refused to hear these cases on their merits. He would have dismissed them on the ground that certiorari was improvidently granted, although no new evidence warranted this conclusion. Justice Frankfurter maintained that any justice has a right to refuse to hear a case after certiorari has been granted, and that …

Federal Procedure - Mandamus - Power Of Courts Of Appeal, Jerome K. Walsh, Jr. S.Ed.

Michigan Law Review

In two related antitrust actions instituted in the District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, an order was entered under rule 53(b) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure referring the cases to a master for trial because of the "extremely congested calendar" then facing the court. All parties to the· action moved to vacate the order and these motions were denied by the district judge. After appearing before the master to object to the reference, the defendants petitioned the Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit praying that a writ of mandamus issue to compel the district judge …

Kittelle & Lamb: Trade Association Law And Practice, H. Thomas Austern

Michigan Law Review

A Review of Trade Association Law and Practice By George P. Lamb and Sumner S. Kittelle, assisted by Carrington Shields.

Torts - Recent Legislation - Parental Liability Statutes, Joseph T. De Nicola, William J. Wise, Robert C. Casad S.Ed.

Michigan Law Review

Fourteen states now have statutes imposing vicarious liability upon parents for tortious acts of their children. These statutes, with one exception, all have been enacted within the past six years, and they present the most significant attempt to date by legislatures to control the incidence and remedy the effects of juvenile vandalism. The parental liability laws vary with respect to the ages of the children covered, and they place different pecuniary limits on the extent of the parent's liability. Coverage may extend to personal injuries as well as to property damage. All except the Louisiana statute, however, apply only to …

Corporations - Officers And Directors - Liability For Inducing A Corporation To Breach Its Contracts, William H. Leighner

Michigan Law Review

Plaintiff real estate company brought suit against the directors of a corporation and other third persons for an alleged conspiracy to induce the corporation to breach its contract with plaintiff. The complaint alleged that the corporation had entered into an agreement whereby plaintiff was to procure a purchaser for certain premises owned by the corporation and that plaintiff had found a purchaser; that before a written offer could be obtained, the corporation contracted to sell to another broker who was to be used as a conduit to transfer title to the purchaser found by the plaintiff, and who was to …

Real Property - Joint Tenancy - Effect Of Contract To Convery By Joint Tenants Of Entire Interest In Property As A Severance Of The Joint Tenancy, George W. Marti

Michigan Law Review

H and W, as owners of certain real state in joint tenancy with rights of survivorship, contracted to convey this property. Prior to conveyance, and while part of the purchase price still remained to be paid, H died. Petitioner, an heir of H, brought action in equity for a declaratory judgment to determine the effect of a contract to convey land held in joint tenancy. The lower court held the joint tenancy had been terminated by the contract of sale and the contract to convey was held by H and W as tenants in common so that on …

The Union Of Law And Equity, Charles W. Joiner, Ray A. Geddes

Michigan Law Review

This paper was prepared for the guidance of a Committee on Michigan Procedural Revision jointly created by the Michigan Legislature, the Supreme Court of Michigan, and the Michigan State Bar to recommend revision of Michigan statutes and rules. Toe need for the joinder of law and equity procedure was thought to be so fundamental that this paper was prepared as a basic study for the committee. In it an attempt is made to bring to the attention of the Michigan lawyers, judges, and legislators an analysis of the Michigan Constitution, statutes, and cases and the experience of other states that …

Federal Procedure - Jurisdiction - Minimal Diversity Permitted By The Federal Interpleader Act Satisfies Constitutional Requirements, Robert J. Hoerner

Michigan Law Review

A disinterested Texas bank brought a federal interpleader action under 28 U.S.C. (1952) §1335 against a Texas widow and four joint claimants, three of whom were Texas citizens and the other a Tennessee citizen. On appeal from a summary judgment for the joint claimants, the widow argued that the court lacked jurisdiction. Held, affirmed. Congress intended that section 1335 should cover these "minimal" facts. The "complete diversity'' requirement of Strawbridge v. Curtiss is only a rule of statutory construction and not a constitutional requirement. Haynes v. Felder, (5th Cir. 1957) 239 F. (2d) 868.

Recent Books, Michigan Law Review

Michigan Law Review

A List of Books Received by Michigan Law Review

Patents - The Changing Standard Of Patentable Invention: Confusion Compounded, John M. Webb S.Ed.

Michigan Law Review

In Lyon v. Bausch and Lomb Optical Co., Judge Learned Hand carefully analyzed the problem and took the position that Congress intended to modify the standard then applied by the Supreme Court and revive that used twenty-five years ago. He stated that under recent Supreme Court decisions he would be compelled to find the patent invalid, but upheld it on the basis of his interpretation of the new statute. This comment is directed not only to Judge Hand's interpretation, but also to the effect that his decision has had, and may be expected to have in the future, both …

Future Interests - Rule Against Perpetuities - Recent Kentucky Legislation Pertaining To Administrative Contingencies, Jules M. Perlberg S.Ed.

Michigan Law Review

A recent Kentucky amendment to its perpetuities statute follows the lead of Illinois in seeking a legislative solution to the problems inherent in applying the rule against perpetuities to administrative contingencies. The amendment provides, inter alia, that the vesting of any limitation of property "shall not be regarded as deferred for purposes of the rule against perpetuities or regarded as a suspension of the power of alienation of title to property merely because the limitation is made to the estate of a person, or to a personal representative, or to a trustee under a will, or to take effect on …

Simes & Smith: The Law Of Future Interests, Bertel M. Sparks

Michigan Law Review

A Review of The Law of Future Interests. 4 vols. By Lewis M. Simes and Allan F. Smith.

Atoms For Peace: The New International Atomic Energy Agency, Bernhard G. Bechhoefer, Eric Stein

Michigan Law Review

On October 26, 1956 seventy states signed an international agreement described as the Statute of an International Atomic Energy Agency. This signing followed a conference of over a month in which eighty-two states participated. All of the participating states supported the text which resulted from this conference-a truly remarkable result considering that the subject of the conference was atomic energy with its far-reaching international security implications.

Labor Law - Lmra - Status Of A Walkout Prompted By Health Reasons In The Face Of A No-Strike Clause, Robert E. Hammell S.Ed.

Michigan Law Review

The employer and the union were covered by a contract which contained a no-strike clause. In spite of this agreement, buffers in the employer's plant walked off their jobs when a blower in the buffing room failed to carry away dust and cool the area properly. The trial examiner found that the walkout was a protected concerted activity and not a strike, and that the employer had therefore committed an unfair labor practice by refusing to permit the buffers to return to their jobs when the blower had been repaired. On exceptions taken to these findings, the NLRB reviewed and …

Constitutional Law - State Action - Effect Of State Court Interpretation Of A Contract, Dudley H. Chapman

Michigan Law Review

Mrs. Doris Walker, president of her local union, was discharged by Cutter Laboratories in 1949 because of membership in the Communist Party and falsification of her employment application. The employer acquired knowledge of these facts in 1947, but did not act at that time to avoid charges of persecuting a union officer. The union, pursuant to the collective bargaining agreement, which authorized discharge for "just cause" only, sought and obtained reinstatement from the arbitration board, which action was affirmed by the district court of appeal, but reversed by the California Supreme Court. On certiorari to the United States Supreme Court, …