United States v. Armour & Company (402 U.S. 673)

The ownership of the majority of the stock of Armour & Co., a meatpacker, by Greyhound Corp., which has retail food subsidiaries and accordingly engages in business that may be forbidden to Armour by the Meat Packers Consent Decree of 1920, in itself and without any evidentiary showing as to the consequences, does not violate the Decree's prohibition against Armour's "directly or indirectly... engaging or carrying on" the forbidden business. Pp. 674-683.

MARSHALL, J., delivered the opinion of the Court, in which BURGER, C.J., and HARLAN and STEWART, JJ., joined. DOUGLAS, J., filed a dissenting opinion, in which BRENNAN and WHITE, JJ., joined, post, p. 683. BLACK and BLACKMUN, JJ., took no part in the consideration or decision of this case.

Deputy Solicitor General Springer argued the cause for the United States. With him on the brief were Solicitor General Griswold, Deputy Assistant Attorney General Comegys, and Howard E. Shapiro.

Edward L. Foote argued the cause for appellee Greyhound Corp. With him on the brief was Robert J. Bernard.