Connecticut Superior Court, 1936

Rackliffe Bros. Co. v. Mayflower Sales Co.

Rackliffe Bros. Co. v. Mayflower Sales Co.
Connecticut Superior Court · Decided March 17, 1936 · Hon, Jennings
3 Conn. Super. Ct. 341; 3 Conn. Supp. 341; 1936 Conn. Super. LEXIS 45

Counsel

A. E. Mag, G. H. Hamlin, Attorneys for the Plaintiff., Buckley, Creedon 6? Danaher, Gross, Hyde Williams, Attorneys for the Defendant.

Rackliffe Bros. Co. v. Mayflower Sales Co.

Opinion of the Court

JENNINGS, J.

The brief of the defendant indicates that its chief reliance is on grounds of demurrer 4 to 11 inclusive. These invoke the protection of the Sherman and Clayton Acts which are cognisable only in the Federal courts. Pennsylvania-Dixie Cement Corp. vs. Lines Co., 119 Conn. 603, 607.

While the question in that case was on a demurrer to a cross'complaint setting up a cause of action under those sta *342 tutes, the same principle applies here. Furthermore, the terms of the contract complained of do not appear to me so oppressive as to justify interference. As to time, it could be can-celled by either party; as to space, it was limited to this State; as to character, the defendant was not forbidden to sell outside its territory but was obligated to pay a certain penalty for doing so. The definition of the arrangement as an “exclusive franchise” by the plaintiff seems to me accurate.

The case of Bridgeport vs. Aetna Indemnity Company, 91 Conn. 197, 204, disposes of the remaining grounds of demurrer to the effect that the plaintiff is entitled to relief only for toss actually sustained.

The demurrer is overruled.

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