United States Supreme Court Cases & Opinions

U.S. Supreme Court

Pacific Coast Dairy, Inc. v. Department of Agriculture, 318 U.S. 285 (1943)

Pacific Coast Dairy, Inc. v. Department of Agriculture

No. 275

Argued January 12, 13, 1943

Decided March 1, 1943

318 U.S. 285

Syllabus

1. The State of California is precluded by the Federal Constitution (Art. I, § 8, cl. 17, and the supremacy clause) from revoking the license of a milk dealer for selling milk to the War Department at less than the minimum price fixed by state law where the sales and deliveries were made on Moffett Field, which is subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the United States. Penn Dairies v. Milk Control Comm'n, ante, p. 318 U. S. 261, distinguished. P. 318 U. S. 294.

2. Although, by the terms of the federal Government's acquisition, local law not inconsistent with federal policy was to remain in effect until altered by federal legislation, the state law here involved was enacted long after the transfer of sovereignty, and was without force in the enclave. P. 318 U. S. 294.

3. As sought here to be applied, the state law was not a regulation of conduct wholly within the state's jurisdiction. P. 318 U. S. 295.

19 Cal.2d 818, 123 P.2d 442, reversed.

Appeal from a judgment denying a writ of mandamus to compel the dismissal of a proceeding pending before the state Department of Agriculture for the revocation of petitioner's license as a distributor of milk.

Page 318 U. S. 290