United States v. Caltex (Philippines), Inc. et al. (344 U.S. 149)
U.S. Supreme Court · decided December 8, 1952 · Supreme Court Database (Spaeth)
- Citation
- 344 U.S. 149 · 73 S. Ct. 200
- Docket
- No. 16
- Argued
- October 20, 1952
- Decided
- December 8, 1952
- Term
- October Term 1952
- Vote
- 7–2
- Majority author
- Justice Vinson
- Issue area
- Due Process
- Disposition
- Reversed
- Outcome
- Petitioning party won
- Ideological direction
- Liberal
How the Justices voted
- Majority
- Chief Justice Vinson (wrote), Justice Minton, Justice Clark, Justice Burton, Justice R. H. Jackson, Justice Frankfurter, Justice Reed
- Dissenting
- Justice Douglas (wrote), Justice Black
Opinion excerpt
Mr. Chief Justice Vinson delivered the opinion of the Court. Each of the respondent oil companies owned terminal facilities in the Pandacan district of Manila at the time of the Japanese attack upon Pearl Harbor. These were used to receive, handle and store petroleum products from incoming ships and to release them for further distribution throughout the Philippine Islands. Wharves, rail and automotive equipment, pumps, pipe lines, storage tanks, and warehouses were included in the property on hand at the outbreak of the war, as well as a normal supply of petroleum products. News of the Pearl Harbor attack reached Manila early in the morning of December 8, 1941. On the same day, enemy air attacks were mounted against our forces in the Philippines, and thereafter the enemy launched his amphibious assault. On December 12, 1941, the United States Army, through its Chief Quartermaster,, stationed a control officer at the terminals. Operations continued at respondents’ plants, but distribution of the petroleum products for civilian use was severely restricted. A major share of the existing supplies was requisitioned by the Army. The military situation in the Philippines grew worse. In the face of the Japanese advance, the Commanding General on December 23, 1941, ordered the withdrawal of all troops on Luzon to the Bataan Peninsula. On December 25, 1941, he declared Manila to be an…
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