United States Supreme Court Cases & Opinions

U.S. Supreme Court

National Mut. Ins. Co. v. Tidewater Transfer Co., Inc., 337 U.S. 582 (1949)

National Mutual Insurance Co. v. Tidewater Transfer Co., Inc.

No. 29

Argued November 8, 1948

Decided June 20, 1949

337 U.S. 582

Syllabus

The Act of April 20, 1940, c. 117, 54 Stat. 143 (now 28 U.S.C. § 1332), conferred on the federal district courts jurisdiction of civil actions (involving no federal question) between citizens of the District of Columbia and citizens of a State. A District of Columbia corporation instituted in the Federal District Court for Maryland an action against Virginia corporation wherein the jurisdiction depended solely on diversity of citizenship. The District Court held the Act unconstitutional, and dismissed the complaint. The Court of Appeals affirmed.

Held: the Act is constitutional, and the judgment is reversed. Pp. 337 U. S. 583-585, 337 U. S. 604.

165 F.2d 531 reversed.

A District of Columbia corporation sued a Virginia corporation in the Federal District Court for Maryland, the jurisdiction depending solely on diversity of citizenship. The District Court dismissed the complaint. The Court of Appeals affirmed. 165 F.2d 531. This Court granted certiorari. 333 U.S. 860. Reversed, p. 337 U. S. 604.

Page 337 U. S. 583