American Can Co. v. Bowers
American Can Co. v. Bowers
Opinion of the Court
As to the appeal of the American Can Company, we believe that the syllabus of the Grinnell case, supra, requires the conclusion that the property involved was not in storage because it was “located * * * at the place where it was manufactured into a product.”
As to the Tax Commissioner’s appeals, all involve very close questions. Apparently, the Board of Tax Appeals endeavored to apply the guides specified in the Grinnell case. We do not believe that the board’s conclusions are unreasonable or unlawful.
As to the Copeland appeal, we reach the same conclusion except so far as the conclusions of the Board of Tax Appeals relate to raw materials and semifinished products to be employed in production and to be transported over city streets
Decisions affirmed in eases Nos. 35675, 35676> 35705, 35749 and 35750.
Decision remanded in case No. 35807.
Dissenting Opinion
dissenting. The basic concept by which the Tax Commissioner, the Board of Tax Appeals and this court are to be guided in determining questions arising under the tax exemption here under consideration is whether particular tangible property is “used in business” in Ohio. In my opinion, the General Assembly, being aware of the limitations upon its power to impose a tax on goods in interstate commerce, intended to exempt from the tax only that property which it knew it could not tax, i. e., property belonging to a nonresident and held temporarily in storage only in Ohio while enroute to a destination outside Ohio.
I am aware that this court has specifically rejected this theory. I am equally of the opinion, however, that the rejection of that theory has led to the development of artificial and in many instances unworkable formulae such as those based on distance and the use of public highways as set out in the Grinnell case.
In my opinion, “material, parts, products, or merchandise”
Consequently, I dissent from the judgment agreed upon by the majority in each of the present cases.
Concurring Opinion
concurs in the foregoing dissenting opinion.
Concurring Opinion
concurs except as to case No. 35705 in which he dissents.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.