United States Supreme Court Cases & Opinions

U.S. Supreme Court

FTC v. Sinclair Refining Co., 261 U.S. 463 (1923)

Federal Trade Commission v. Sinclair Refining Company

Nos. 213, 637, 638, 639

Argued March 8, 9, 1923

Decided April 9, 1923

261 U.S. 463

Syllabus

1. The practice, upon the part of a manufacturer of gasoline, of leasing underground tanks with pumps to retail dealers at nominal rentals and upon condition that the equipment shall be used only with gasoline supplied by the lessor, is not in violation of the Clayton Act. P. 261 U. S. 473.

Page 261 U. S. 464

2. Nor is it unfair competition, within the Federal Trade Commission Act, as regards either the trade in gasoline -- or the trade in such storage and pumping equipment. P. 261 U. S. 474.

3. The Federal Trade Commission has no general authority to compel competitors to a common level, to interfere with ordinary business methods, or to restrict competition to arbitrary standard. P. 261 U. S. 475.

4. The great purpose of both of the above statutes was to advance the public interest by securing fair opportunity for the play of contending forces engendered by an honest desire for gain, and to this end it is essential that those who adventure their time, skill, and capital should have large freedom of action in the conduct of their own affairs. P. 261 U. S. 476.

276 F.6d 6, 282 F. 81, affirmed.

Certiorari to four judgments of circuit courts of appeals setting aside as many orders of the Federal Trade Commission.