132 Ct. Cl. 507 | Ct. Cl. | 1955
Lead Opinion
delivered the opinion of the court:
The issue in these consolidated cases is whether under section 34-75 (a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1939, as amended, the plaintiffs were properly required to pay transportation taxes on shipments of property entirely within the United States, in instances where it is shown that checks to cover the transportation charges were physically delivered to the transportation companies at Windsor, Canada, outside of the United States. The pertinent part of the applicable statute is as follows:
*509 There shall be imposed upon the amount paid within the United States after the effective date of this section for the transportation, on or after such effective date, of property by rail, motor vehicle, water, or air from one point in the United States to another, a tax equal to 3 per centum of the amount so paid, except that, in the case of coal, the rate of tax shall be 4 cents per short ton. * * * In the case of property transported from a point without the United States to a point within the United States the tax shall apply to the amount paid within the United States for that part of the transportation which takes place within the United States. The tax on the transportation of coal shall not apply to the transportation of coal with respect to which there has been a previous taxable transportation.
The issue arises in the following way: during the period from July 1,1950, to October 30, 1950, freight charges were incurred by the plaintiffs on shipments of raw material, merchandize and other property transported on lines of The New York Central and Grand Trunk Western Eailroad Companies from one point to another in continental United States. In payment of the freight charges the plaintiffs procured cashier’s checks issued by the Michigan National Bank at Battle Creek, Michigan, payable to the Kellogg Company. These checks were endorsed at the Kellogg Company offices at Battle Creek, Michigan, as follows:
Pay to the order of The New York Central Eailroad [or the Grand Trunk Western Eailroad Company],
Kellogg Company,
By E. O. Orchard,
Treasurer.
Other similar checks were made payable to Kellogg Sales Company and similarly endorsed by that company. The Kellogg Sales Company was located at Detroit, Michigan, and was wholly owned by the Kellogg Company.
The freight bills comprising the total charges were listed in letters prepared in duplicate, addressed to The New York Central Eailroad or the Grand Trunk Western Eailroad Company, as the case might be, in Windsor, Canada. Each letter containing a list of freight charges, together with freight bills and a check, was transmitted by mail from
Kathryn II. Wautelet was employed by the Kellogg Company on July 31, 1950, and until October 31,1950, expressly for the purpose of transporting and delivering the documents described above to the carriers at Windsor, Canada, for the taxpayer. She received a salary of $15 per week. She remained with the company from October 31 until December 31, 1950, performing minor clerical duties during the latter* period. Her employment was terminated on December 31, 1950.
The plaintiffs concede that the payments were made in this manner to avoid the payment of the tax then imposed by section 3475 (a).
The railroads insisted upon collecting the transportation tax which was paid by the plaintiffs under protest. Timely claims for refund were filed by the plaintiffs with the Commissioner of Internal Revenue. The plaintiffs here seek a recovery of the taxes which they claim were illegally collected from them. The issue turns upon the proper construction and application of the taxing statute.
The plaintiffs insist that since the statute imposes the tax on the amount paid within the United States, the delivery of the checks to agents of the transportation companies just beyond the borders of the United States renders the tax inapplicable, and therefore it should not have been collected.
We think when the statute is read as a whole and in its proper setting it becomes manifest that it was the intention of the Congress to levy the transportation tax on shipments wholly within continental United States.
In construing the 1939 statute the Commissioner of Internal Revenue in 1942 issued a press release stating that the tax did not apply to amounts paid outside the United States, regardless of where the transportation occurred.
Effective November 1,1950, the Congress amended section 3475 (a) of the act of 1939 to make clearer the terms of the 1939 act in respect to the tax on transportation charges.
In the report of the Senate Finance Committee on the Revenue Act of 1950, dealing with this particular provision, it states that its attention has been called to the fact that an increasing number of persons have been seeking to avoid the tax by various devices to pay the transportation charges outside of the United States. It quotes the press release which the Commissioner issued on July 7, 1950, to the effect that there is no doubt that Congress intended to tax all domestic shipments. The committee then makes this statement:
While there has been considerable dispute as to the correctness of these interpretations of the law by the Commissioner it is your committee’s view. that these rulings are an accurate interpretation of existing law. * * *
The Senate report also contains this statement:
To clarify the application of these taxes section. 607 of your committee’s bill adds provisions to the sections of the Internal Revenue Code imposing tlie taxes on transportation of persons and property (secs. 3469 and 3475) indicating that where the transportation both begins and ends in the United States, the taxes apply even though payment is made outside the United States. While the resulting increase over present collections under these taxes will be small, your committee’s action forestalls the possibility of a substantial revenue loss in the future.
The Senate Committee Report then reiterates that the Commissioner of Internal Revenue had properly interpreted the intent of the Congress to impose a tax on transportation within the United States under the existing law and then states “the amendments are merely declaratory of existing law.”
If a technical construction is to be invoked, there is serious doubt as to whether payment was actually made in Canada in these cases. The cashier’s checks were issued within the United States; they were drawn on a bank within the United States; they were endorsed to the transportation companies within the United States. The checks were then delivered, with the transportation bills and an accompanying letter, by a person employed for the express purpose of taking the papers just across the border and securing a receipt for the checks. The checks were no doubt deposited and immediately came back to the issuing bank for final payment. A check is merely an order on someone to transfer funds and a cashier’s check is merely a guaranteed order. Neither is of any value except as it calls for the payment of funds. We have not the least doubt that if the bank upon which they were drawn had for any reason failed the transportation companies would have sued and recovered from the plaintiffs as the primary obligors and endorsers of the checks in question. Cincinnati Oyster & Fish Co. v. National Lafayette Bank, 36 N. E. 833, 46 Am. Stat. Rep. 560. “In the absence of circumstances indicating a contrary intention a cashier’s check accepted from a debtor is not an absolute but merely a conditional payment, defeasible on nonpayment or dishonor.” 40 Am. Jur. p. 768, sec. 77.
We doubt whether there is a single person who believes that Congress intended to exempt a man who walked across the border to deliver his check and at the same time to tax his neighbor who received the same service between the same points in this country, and who paid where the service was rendered without any attempt to avoid the tax. Legislation must be construed in its setting. At the time of its enactment
Everyone admits, as it must be admitted, that Congress had no intention of granting such an exemption. There was, there is, no doubt that Congress intended to tax all transportation between points wholly within the United States.
We think that the method used was primarily a dodge for the manifest purpose of avoiding payment of a tax that was properly due. There is a degree of cleverness in the method. One is reminded of the Mother Goose rhyme of Little Jack Horner who, in eating his Christmas pie, “put in his thumb, pulled out a plum, and said * * * ‘What a good boy am I.’ ”
I remember that even as a boy I was not sure that in doing this stunt Jack showed himself to be especially good. He had a motive. It was Christmastime. He could not afford not to be good.
In a disarming way the plaintiffs concede that their sole purpose was to avoid the payment of the taxes which would otherwise have been due. This is to their credit, although it would be difficult in any event to reach any other conclusion. It at least makes the issue clear and avoids the necessity of trying to see through a veil of subterfuge the truth about the whole matter, as courts are sometimes called upon to do. There was no thought or suggestion of subterfuge here, but an engaging frankness which is truly commendable.
We think for the reasons we have set out and which we regard as good and sufficient, the tax should have been collected and the plaintiffs should not recover.
The petition is dismissed.
Dissenting Opinion
dissenting:
I respectfully dissent for the following reasons:
The terms of the statute under which the taxes were collected from plaintiffs are clear and unambiguous. When Congress used the words “there shall be imposed upon the amount paid within the United States * * it is susceptible of only one meaning. In the absence of ambiguity, courts cannot go behind the act in order to give it another and different meaning. The interpretive ruling of the Commissioner, dated December 7,1942, wherein he stated:
The tax does not apply to the amount paid for the transportation of property * * * (c) when paid outside the United States, regardless of where the transportation occurs;1
was consistent with the regulations promulgated by the Commissioner in 1943. The pertinent portions of such regulations are as follows:
Eeg. 113, Sec. 143.11. Scope of Tasa. — Section 3475 (a) imposes a tax upon amounts paid within the United States after December 1,1942, to a person engaged in the business of transporting property for hire, for transportation, originating on or after such date, of property by rail, motor vehicle, water, or air from one point in the United States to another.
Eeg. 113, Sec. 143.13. Application of Tate. * * * The tax applies to the total amount paid within the United States for transportation of property from one point in the United States to another even though while enroute part of the transportation movement is through a foreign country.
The Commissioner’s regulations, adopted to conform with the 1950 amendment of the taxing statute, expressly recognized that the tax applies to amounts paid without the United States only on and after November 1,1950, the effective date of the 1950 amendment. These regulations provide as follows:
Scope of Tana. Section 3475 (a) imposes a tax upon (a) amounts paid within the United States after December 1,1942, for transportation originating on or after such date, of property by rail, motor vehicle, water, or air from one point in the United States to another, and
*515 (b) amounts paid without the United States, on or after November 1,1960, for transportation originating on or after such date; of property by rail, motor vehicle, water, or air from one point in the United States to another. The tax applies only to amounts paid to a person engaged in the business of transporting property for hire. [1951-1 Cum. Bull. 148,149.]
ij: * * * *
With respect to amounts paid within the United States, the tax applies only to amounts paid after December 1, 1942, for transportation which originated on or after such date. * * *
With respect to amounts paid without the United States, the tax applies to amounts paid on or after November 1, 1950, for transportation originating on or after that date.
The Supreme Court, in the case of Gould v. Gould, 245 U. S. 151, 153, said:
In the interpretation of statutes levying taxes it is the established rule not to extend their provisions, by implication, beyond the clear import of the language used, or to enlarge their operations so as to embrace matters not specifically pointed out.
In a more recent case of United States v. Olympic Radio and Television, Inc., decided May 23, 1955, the Supreme Court said: “* * * We can only take the Code as we find it and give it as great an internal symmetry and consistency as its words permit.”
Why Congress employed the words “paid within the United States,” we do not know. It may have been because Canada also had a similar tax until 1949 when it was repealed. While the Canadian tax was in effect, there could have been no tax avoidance reason for a shipper of merchandise within the United States to physically pay the transportation cost in Canada. Upon repeal of the Canadian tax, it became possible for shippers to avoid the United States excise tax by payment in Canada. Congress recognized this loophole and closed it shortly thereafter by amending this statute.
The physical delivery of the cashiers’ checks was clearly payment without the United States within the meaning of section 3475' (a) of the Internal Revenue Code.
I would permit plaintiffs to recover.
The court, having considered the facts as stipulated by the parties, and the briefs and argument of counsel, makes findings of fact as follows:
1. During the period from July 31, 1950, to October 30, 1950, inclusive, Kellogg Company incurred freight charges on shipments to it via The New York Central Railroad of raw materials and other goods purchased by Kellogg Company and used in the manufacture and distribution of its products. Such purchases were made f. o. b. the points of shipment, and the freight charges accordingly were an obligation of Kellogg Company. The freight charges together with the 3 percent tax imposed by section 3475 (a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1939, as amended, § 620 (a), 56 Stat. 979, are set forth in the following schedule:
jDate — '1950 Freight Tax Total
July 31_ $3, 559. 45 $95. 53 $3, 654. 98
Aug. 1_ 1, 778. 23 53. 34 1, 831. 57
Aug. 2_ 3, 176. 88 78. 94 3, 255. 82
Aug. 3_ 4, 293. 47 128. 80 4, 422. 27
Aug. 4_ 11,556.93 341.32 11,898.25
Aug. 7_ 2. 52 .08 2. 60
Aug. 8_ 4, 342. 66 130. 26 4, 472. 92
Aug. 9_ 7, 895. 86 236. 88 8, 132. 74
Aug. 10_ 4, 307. 49 79. 03 4, 386. 52
Aug. 11_ 1, 794. 70 53. 84 1, 848. 54
Aug. 14_ 6,251.06 187.16 6,438.22
Aug. 15_ 5, 999. 27 171. 41 6, 170. 68
Aug. 16_ 2, 997. 69 89. 92 3, 087. 61
Aug. 17. 8, 318. 03 249. 58 8, 567. 61
Aug. 18_ 18, 714. 20 540. 11 19, 254.31
Aug. 21_ 6, 397. 68 193. 14 6, 590. 82
Aug. 22_ 2, 588. 33 77. 65 2, 665. 98
Aug. 23_ 5, 912. 50 177. 39 6, 089. 89
Aug. 24_ 6, 904. 49 207. 14 7, 111. 63
Aug. 25_ 2, 975. 17 83. 95 3, 059. 12
Aug. 28_ 7, 851. 10 235. 43 8, 086. 53
Aug. 29_ 11, 812. 76 354. 38 12, 167. 14
Aug. 30_ 5, 756. 76 146. 81 5, 903. 57
Aug. 31_ 9, 346. 11 263. 72 9, 609. 83
Sept. 1_ 5, 398. 91 161. 96 5, 560. 87
Sept. 5_ 3, 925. 41 117. 77 4, 043. 18
Sept. 6. 2,155.47 64.66 2,220.13
*517 Date — 1950 Freight Tax Total
Sept. 7__ $7, 706. 13 $231. 19 $7, 937. 32
Sept. 8— 5, 053. 37 151. 60 5, 204. 97
Sept. 11_ 4, 078. 84 122. 31 4, 201. 15
Sept. 12_ 23, 587. 64 707. 65 24, 295. 29
Sept. 13-7, 080. 41 200. 85 7, 281. 26
Sept. 15-2, 257. 61 62. 97 2, 320. 58
Sept. 18-1, 793. 83 53. 80 1, 847. 63
Sept. 19-1, 255. 82 37. 68 1, 293. 50
Sept. 20-5, 158. 31 135. 39 5, 293. 70
Sept. 21-1, 871. 16 56. 14 1, 927. 30
Sept. 22-1, 066. 30 27.35 1, 093. 65
Sept. 25-268. 94 8.07 277. 01
Sept. 26-1, 555. 76 32.54 1, 588. 30
Sept. 28-8,104. 59 243. 02 8, 347. 61
Sept. 29-1, 639. 11 49. 17 1, 688. 28
Oet. 2_ 1, 545. 80 46. 36 1, 592. 16
Oet. 3... 531. 31 15. 94 547. 25
Oct. 4_ 1, 874. 34 40. 18 1, 914. 52
Oct. 5-.. 1, 697. 01 50. 90 1, 747. 91
Oct. 6.-. 1, 260. 68 21. 56 1, 282. 24
Oct. 9... 5, 464. 28 158. 57 5, 622. 85
Oct. 10_. 917. 79 21. 19 938. 98
Oct. 11.. 994. 07 29. 82 1, 023. 89
Oct. 12.. 4, 938. 49 128. 50 5, 066. 99
Oct. 13.. 726. 76 6.85 733. 61
Oct. 16.. 1, 312. 56 39. 38 1, 351. 94
Oct. 17.. 1, 686. 67 29. 32 1, 715. 99
Oct. 18.. 2, 791. 82 83. 76 2, 875. 58
Oct. 20.. 3, 919. 18 98. 11 4, 017. 29
Oct. 23.. 5, 822. 98 174. 68 5, 997. 66
Oct. 24.. 14, 528. 92 435. 85 14, 964 77
Oct. 25_. 6, 780. 53 203. 39 6, 983. 92
Oct. 26.. 1, 567. 85 21. 29 1, 589.14
Oct. 27.. 2, 291. 29 64. 18 2, 355. 47
Total-289, 143. 28 8,309.76 297,453.04
2. Payment of the freight charges and tax totaling $3,654.98, set forth as the first item in the schedule incorporated in finding 1 hereof, was made by Kellogg Company in the following manner,'
a. The freight bills comprising the total charges set forth in the first item were listed in a letter addressed to The New York Central Kailroad, Windsor, Ontario, by the Kellogg Company, which read in pertinent part as follows:
*518 “We contend that the 3 percent excise tax should not be imposed or collected with respect to each and every of the foregoing bills, because payment thereof is being made by the undersigned without the United States, but under the press release of July 7,1950 (S-2389) the United States Commissioner of Internal Revenue states that such tax will apply to all shipments between two points in the United States, and your railroad refuses to accept payment of such freight bills in Canada unless the 3 percent excise tax is paid thereon.
“It is the intention of the undersigned to file appropriate claim for refund of the 3 percent tax paid upon the amount of the above bills.”
ib. A cashier’s check drawn by the Michigan National Bank, Battle Creek, Michigan, was obtained by Kellogg Company, payable to itself, in the amount of $3,654.98.
g. This check was indorsed at Kellogg Company’s office at Battle Creek, Michigan, as follows:
Pay to the order of The New York Central Railroad,
Kellogg CompaNy,
By: /s/ E. O. Oechaed,
Treasurer.
d. The letter in duplicate, the freight bills listed therein, and the indorsed check were transmitted by "United States mail to the Detroit, Michigan, office of Kellogg Sales Company, the wholly-owned sales subsidiary of Kellogg Company.
e. Upon arrival at the Detroit office of Kellogg Sales Company (usually the day following the mailing thereof), the duplicate letter, freight bills and indorsed check were transported by Kathryn H. Wautelet, the bearer designated in the letter, via automobile, to Windsor, Ontario, Canada, and there delivered by her to the agent of The New York Central Railroad.
/. The agent of said railroad acknowledged receipt of the indorsed cashier’s check at Windsor, Canada, in payment of the freight bills itemized in the accompanying letter, with the 3 percent excise tax thereon, by signing a receipt at the end of the duplicate copy of the letter and returning it to the bearer.
g. The receipted duplicate copy of the letter was mailed to Kellogg Company’s office at Battle Creek, Michigan, by the bearer, Kathryn H. Wautelet, or some person in the Detroit office of Kellogg Sales Company acting at her direction or request.
Bate
mo Freight Tax Total
July 31- $10,731.07 $307.71 $11,038.78
Aug. 1- 9, 123. 99 273. 71 9, 397. 70
Aug. 2- 9, 224. 81 276. 76 9, 501. 57
Aug. 3- 14,150. 30 424. 53 14, 574. 83
Aug. 4- 7, 740. 67 232. 23 7, 972. 90
Aug. 7- 10, 943. 98 319. 69 11, 263. 67
Aug. 8- 11, 671. 46 339. 66 12, 011. 12
Aug. 9_.- 9,040.04 269.97 9,310.01
Aug. 10- 9, 587. 93 287. 63 9, 875. 56
Aug. 11- 9, 611. 72 281. 33 9, 893. 05
Aug. 14- 7, 509. 60 225. 31 7, 734. 91
Aug. 15- 9, 852. 88 283. 15 10,136. 03
Aug. 16- 8, 891. 64 264 70 9,156. 34
Aug. 17- 17, 899. 60 537. 04 18, 436. 64
Aug. 18- 6, 660. 47 193. 12 6, 853. 59
Aug. 21- 6, 320. 20 174. 40 6, 494. 60
Aug. 22- 8, 440. 66 250. 80 8, 691. 46
Aug. 23- 4, 491. 13 134 74 4, 625. 87
Aug. 24- 9, 677. 26 271. 95 9, 949. 21
Aug. 25- 9, 427. 43 275. 59 9, 703. 02
Aug. 28- 8, 724. 02 241. 31 8, 965. 33
Aug. 29- 7,422.79 219.06 7,641.85
Aug. 30- 9, 256. 19 277. 66 9, 533. 85
Aug. 31- 6, 884. 24 203. 27 7, 087. 51
Sept. 1- 6, 995. 76 199. 81 7,195. 57
Sept. 5.... 7,644.99 229.35 7,874.34
Sept. 6__- 5, 777. 67 173. 30 5, 950. 97
Sept. 7- 6, 836. 66 197. 66 7, 034. 32
Sept. 8- 11, 225. 76 336. 72 11, 562. 48
Sept. 11- 8, 576. 79 236. 13 8, 812. 92
Sept. 12- 7, 864. 35 235. 95 8, 100. 30
Sept. 13- 3, 246. 86 97. 41 3, 344. 27
Sept. 14- 9, 502. 62 285. 07 9, 787. 69
Sept. 15- 6, 415. 86 188. 90 6, 604 76
Sept. 18- 6, 166. 93 181. 22 6. 348. 15
*520 Date 1950 Freight Tax Total
Sept. 19_ $7, 616. 50 $213. 26 $7, 829. 76
Sept. 20_ 5, 379.16 161. 37 5, 540. 53
Sept. 21_ 9, 693. 28 281. 63 9, 974. 91
Sept. 22_ 5, 864. 60 152. 52 6, 017. 12
Sept. 25_ 5, 924. 67 177. 74 6,102. 41
Sept. 26_ 4, 701. 55 141. 06 4, 842. 61
Sept. 27_ 7, 835. 79 235. 09 8, 070. 88
Sept. 28_ 16, 821. 51 465. 10 17, 286. 61
Sept. 29. 9, 816. 75 294. 48 10, 111. 23
Oct. 2_ 7, 997. 86 217. 29 8, 215. 15
Oct. 3_ 11,733.27 352.02 12,085.29
Oct. 4_ 11,695.90 332.54 12,028.44
Oct. 5..— 11,331.52 316.98 11,648.50
Oct. 6_ 12,436.66 357.70 12,794.36
Oct. 9__- 13,172.20 385.92 13,558.12
Oct. 10_ 10, 370. 37 301. 96 10, 672. 33
Oct. 11_ 8, 422. 51 243. 49 8, 666. 00
Oct. 12_ 11, 360. 96 337. 20 11, 698. 16
Oct. 13_ 13, 863. 32 412. 38 14, 275. 70
Oct. 16_ 7, 857. 69 222. 29 8, 079. 98
Oct. 17_ 11, 401. 48 332. 88 11, 734. 36
Oct. 18_ 9, 730. 52 291. 92 10, 022. 44
Oct. 19_ 11, 677. 12 337. 37 12, 014. 49
Oct. 20_ 7, 858. 64 229. 38 8, 088. 02
Oct. 23_ 6, 355. 65 177. 62 6, 533. 27
Oct. 24_ 8, 507. 34 255. 25 8, 762. 59
Oct. 25_ 8, 278. 41 239. 17 8, 517. 58
Oct. 26_ 8, 810. 99 230. 06 9, 041. 05
Oct. 27_ 7, 762. 75 229. 16 7, 991. 91
Oct. 30_ 8, 273. 24 244. 78 8, 518. 02
Total_ 586, 090. 54 17, 096. 45 603,186. 99
4. Payment of the freight charges and tax totaling $11,-038.78, set forth as the first item in the schedule incorporated in finding 3 hereof was made by Kellogg Sales Company in the following manner:
a. The freight bills comprising the total charges set forth in the first item were listed in a letter addressed to The New York Central Railroad, Windsor, Ontario. The letter contained the same statements as nave been quoted in finding 2a.
5. A cashier’s check drawn by the Michigan National Bank, Battle Creek, Michigan, was obtained by Kellogg Sales Company, payable to itself, in the amount of $11,038.78.
*521 o. The check was indorsed at the office of Kellogg Sales Company at Battle Creek, Michigan, as follows: Pay to the order of The New York Central Railroad,
Kellogg Sales Company,
By: /s/ E. O. Orchard,
Treasurer.
cl. The letter in duplicate, the freight bills listed therein, and the indorsed check were transmitted by United States mail to the sales office of Kellogg Sales Company in Detroit, Mich.
e. Upon arrival at the Detroit office of Kellogg Sales Company (usually the day following the mailing thereof) , the duplicate letter, freight bills and indorsed check were transported by Kathryn H. Wautelet, the bearer designated in the letter, via automobile, to Windsor, Ontario, Canada, and there delivered by her to the agent of The New York Central Railroad.
/. The agent of that railroad acknowledged receipt of the indorsed cashier’s check at Windsor, Canada, in payment of the freight bills itemized in the accompanying letter, with the 3 percent excise tax thereon, by signing a receipt at the end of the duplicate copy of the letter and returning it to the bearer.
g. The receipted duplicate copy of the letter was mailed to the office of Kellogg Sales Company at Battle Creek, Michigan, by the bearer, Kathryn H. Wautelet, or some person in the Detroit office of Kellogg Sales Company acting at her direction or request.
5. During the period from July 31, 1950, to October 30, 1950, inclusive, Kellogg Company incurred freight charges on shipments to it via the Grand Trunk Western Railroad Company of raw materials and other goods purchased by Kellogg Company and used in the manufacture and distribution of its products. Such purchases were made f. o. b. the points of shipment, and the freight charges accordingly were an obligation of Kellogg Company. These charges together with the 3 percent tax imposed by section 3475 (a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1939, as amended, § 620 (a), 56 Stat. 979, are set forth in the following schedule:
Date
1950 Freight Tax Total
July 31- $4,443.48 $103.26 $4,546.74
Aug. 1- 1,787.94 30.57 1,818.51
Aug. 2- 4, 198. 54 95. 94 4, 294. 48
Aug. 3. 6,986.25 186.86 7,173.11
*522 Date 1960 Freight Tax Total
Aug. 4_ $2, 972. 60 $72. 23 $3, 044. 83
Aug. 8_ 2,082.88 51.57 2, 134. 45
Aug. 9_ 5, 355. 52 117. 96 5, 473. 48
Aug. 10_ 5, 389. 72 131. 62 5, 521. 34
Aug. 11_ 651. 76 13. 85 665. 61
Aug. 14_ 327. 68 3. 08 330. 76
Aug. 15_ 2,772. 65 83. 18 2, 855. 83
Aug. 16... 7, 827. 78 158. 61 7, 986. 39
Aug. 17_ 2,972.83 77. 76 3, 050. 59
Aug. 18_ 3, 184. 26 73. 92 3, 258. 18
Aug. 31_ 8, 380. 34 244. 95 8, 625. 29
Sept. 1__. 3, 636. 89 103. 77 3, 740. 66
Sept. 5.__ 11,011.86 319.04 11, 330. 90
Sept. 7_ 12,519. 00 341. 75 12, 860. 75
Sept. 8_ 9, 163. 46 264. 74 9, 428. 20
Sept. 11_ 1,952.29 53.22 2, 005. 51
Sept. 13_ 4, 326. 51 111. 35 4, 437. 86
Sept. 15_ 1,302.31 28.86 1, 331. 17
Sept. 19_ 520. 20 5. 23 525. 43
Sept. 20_ 2,728.25 69.79 2, 798. 04
Sept. 21. 1, 480. 50 44. 41 1, 524. 91
Sept. 22.. 3,975.48 83.74 4, 059. 22
Sept. 25.. 1,045.06 31.35 1, 076. 41
Sept. 26_ 581. 49 17. 44 598. 93
Sept. 27_ 3,916.37 93.41 4, 009. 78
Sept. 28. 2, 691. 54 80. 74 2, 772. 28
Sept. 29_ 844. 69 25. 35 870. 04
Oct. 2_ 1,321. 14 14.97 1, 336. 11
Oct. 3_ 1, 747. 06 27. 57 1, 774. 63
Oct. 4.._ 5,047.50 120.26 5,167. 76
Oct. 5_ 2, 143. 66 53. 87 2, 197. 53
Oct. 6... 746.63 22.40 769. 03
Oct. 9_ 751. 94 10. 30 762. 24
Oct. 10_ 1, 340. 33 40. 21 1, 380. 54
Oct. 11_ 3,420.72 97.46 3, 518. 18
Oct. 13_ 2, 566. 84 62. 56 2, 619. 40
Oct. 16_ 2, 666. 06 67. 33 2, 733. 39
Oct. 17_ 1, 783. 71 37. 40 1, 821. 11
Oct. 18_ 5, 765. 94 142. 14 5, 908. 08
Oct. 19_ 1, 455. 22 29. 27 1, 484. 49
Oct. 23_ 567.91 11.83 579. 74
Oct. 24_ 2,294. 11 63.40 2, 357. 51
Oct. 25_ 3,374.88 83.25 3, 458. 13
Oct. 26_ 1, 136. 65 23. 96 1, 160. 61
Oct. 27_ 2,592.78 71.20 2, 663. 98
Oct. 30. 2,262.98 60.55 2, 323. 53
Total_ 164, 006. 19 4, 159. 48 168, 165. 67
a. The freight bills comprising the total charges set forth as the first item were listed in a letter addressed to the Grand Trunk Western Railroad Company, Windsor, Ontario. The letter contained the same statements as have been quoted in finding 2a.
5. A cashier’s check drawn by the Michigan National Bank, Battle Creek, Michigan, was obtained by Kellogg Company, payable to itself, in the amount of $4,546.74.
<?. The check was indorsed at Kellogg Company’s office at Battle Creek, Michigan, as follows:
Pay to the order of the Grand Trunk Western Railroad Company,
Kellogg CompaNt,
By: /s/ E. O. Oeohaed,
Treasurer.
d. The letter in duplicate, the freight bills listed therein, and the endorsed check were transmitted by United States mail to the Detroit, Michigan, office of Kellogg Sales Company, the wholly-owned sales subsidiary of Kellogg Company.
e. Upon arrival at the Detroit office of Kellogg Sales Company (usually the day following the mailing thereof), the duplicate letter, freight bills and endorsed check were transported by Kathryn H. Wautelet, the bearer designated in the letter, via automobile, to Windsor, Ontario, Canada, and there delivered by her to the agent of the Grand Trunk Western Railroad Company.
/. The agent of that railroad acknowledged receipt of the endorsed cashier’s check at Windsor, Canada, in payment of the freight bills itemized in the letter, with the 3 percent excise tax thereon, by signing a receipt at the end of the duplicate copy of such letter and returning it to the bearer.
g. The receipted duplicate copy of the letter was mailed to Kellogg Company’s office at Battle Creek, Michigan, by the bearer, Kathryn H. Wautelet, or some person in the Detroit office of Kellogg Sales Company acting at her direction or request.
7. During the period from July 31, 1950, to October 30, 1950, inclusive, Kellogg Sales Company incurred freight charges on shipments of its products via the Grand Trunk
Date
1950 Freight Tax Tota
July 31_ $6,946.26 $208.44 $7,154.70
Aug. 1_ 7, 887. 93 228. 74 8, 116. 67
Aug. 2_ 9, 319. 91 270. 89 9, 590. 80
Aug. 3_ 3, 709. 46 96. 45 3, 805. 91
Aug. 4_ 7, 841. 42 230. 97 8, 072. 39
Aug. 7_ 5, 882. 44 176. 49 6, 058. 93
Aug. 8_ 3, 095. 20 89. 35 3, 184. 55
Aug. 9_ 14, 466. 55 433. 68 14, 900. 23
Aug. 10_ 3, 024. 37 90. 75 3, 115. 12
Aug. 11.. 6, 850. 24 205. 51 7, 055. 75
Aug. 14_ 7, 609. 96 228. 29 7, 838. 25
Aug. 15_ 5, 526. 66 160. 48 5, 687. 14
Aug. 16_ 12, 244. 16 364. 68 12, 608. 84
Aug. 17_ 7, 237. 93 217. 18 7, 455. 11
Aug. 18_ 5, 433. 60 163. 01 5, 596. 61
Aug. 31_ 6, 080. 15 182. 42 6, 262. 57
Sept. 1_ 3, 723. 80 111. 72 3, 835. 52
Sept. 5_ 7, 610. 38 213. 50 7, 823. 88
Sept. 6_ 6, 065. 60 180. 86 6, 246. 46
Sept. 7_ 8, 533. 95 238. 16 8, 772. 11
Sept. 8_ 708. 95 21. 28 730. 23
Sept. 11_ 4, 582. 04 128. 29 4, 710. 33
Sept. 13_ 7, 654. 56 215. 91 7, 870. 47
Sept. 14_ 1, 655. 97 49. 55 1, 705. 52
Sept. 15_ 5, 684. 91 156. 81 5, 841. 72
Sept. 18. 5,151.03 154.53 5,305.50
Sept. 19_ 5,281.58 148.95 5,430.53
Sept. 20_ 8, 009. 10 234. 97 8, 244. 07
Sept. 21_ 1, 694. 00 50. 80 1, 744. 80
Sept. 22_ 3, 834. 48 113. 76 3, 948. 20
Sept. 25_ 4, 929. 41 147. 89 5, 077. 34
Sept. 26_ 6, 147. 31 175. 33 6, 322. 64
Sept. 27_ 6, 171. 72 185. 16 6, 356. 88
Sept. 28_ 2, 700. 85 81. 02 2, 781. 87
Sept. 29_ 2,955. 91 88. 67 3,044. 58
Oet. 2. 2, 112. 81 63. 40 2, 176. 21
Oct. 3. 1, 957. 92 58. 75 2, 016. 67
Oct. 4_ 1,863.60 55.92 1,919.52
*525 Date
I960 Freight Tax Total
Oct. 5- $1, 187. 58 $35. 64 $1, 223. 22
Oct. 6- 1, 959. 71 58. 79 2, 018. 50
Oct. 9.. 2,407.80 71.87 2,479.67
Oct. 10- 1, 654. 27 49. 64 1, 703. 91
Oct. 11- 5, 290. 16 158. 71 5, 448. 87
Oct. 13- 2, 210. 23 66. 32 2, 276. 55
Oct. 16...— 2,707.51 77.91 2,785.42
Oct. 18-. 2, 585. 57 77. 59 2, 663. 16
Oct. 17. 2, 207. 30 65. 87 2, 273. 17
Oct. 19... 2,266.37 67.99 2,334.36
Oct. 20_ 4, 656. 50 138. 51 4, 795. 01
Oct. 23_ 3, 334. 20 100. 03 3, 434. 23
Oct. 24- 3, 716. 78 111. 50 3, 828. 28
Oct. 25_ 3, 929. 76 117. 89 4, 047. 65
Oct. 26- 2, 099. 63 62. 96 2, 162. 59
Oct. 27- 1, 311. 24 39. 35 1, 350. 59
Oct. 30-.-. 5,262.57 143.78 5,406.35
Total_ 260, 973. 30 7, 666. 91 268, 640. 21
8. Payment of tbe freight charges and tax totaling $7,-154.70, set forth as the first item in the foregoing schedule was made by Kellogg Sales Company in the following manner:
a. The freight bills comprising the total charges set forth in the first item were listed in a letter addressed to the Grand Trunk Western Railroad Company in Windsor, Ontario. The letter contained the same statements that have been quoted in finding 2a.
b. A cashier’s check drawn by the Michigan National Bank, Battle Creek, Michigan, was obtained by Kellogg Sales Company, payable to itself, in the amount of $7,154.79.
c. This check was indorsed at the office of Kellogg Sales Company at Battle Creek, Michigan, as follows:
Pay to the order of the Grand Trunk Western Railroad Company,
Kellogg Sales Company,
By: /s/ E. O. ORCHARD,
Treasurer.
d. The letter in duplicate, the freight bills listed therein, and the indorsed check were transmitted by United States mail to the sales office of Kellogg Sales Company in Detroit, Michigan.
*526 e. Upon arrival at tlie Detroit office of Kellogg Sales Company (usually the day following the mailing thereof), the duplicate letter, freight bills and indorsed check were transported by Kathryn H. Wautelet, the bearer designated in the letter, via automobile, to Windsor, Canada, and there delivered by her to the agent of the Grand Trunk Western Railroad Company.
/. The agent of that railroad acknowledged receipt of the indorsed cashier’s check at Windsor, Canada, in payment of the freight bills itemized in the accompanying letter, with the 3 percent excise tax thereon, by signing a receipt at the end of the duplicate copy of the letter and returning it to the bearer.
g. The receipted duplicate copy of the letter was mailed to the office of Kellogg Sales Company at Battle Creek, Michigan, by the bearer, Kathryn H. Wautelet, or some person in the Detroit office of Kellogg Sales Company acting at her direction or request.
9. Kathryn H. Wautelet was employed by Kellogg Company on or about July 31,1950, expressly for the purpose of transporting and delivering on behalf of Kellogg Company (and its wholly owned sales subsidiary, Kellogg Sales Company) , to the agents of The New York Central Railroad and the Grand Trunk Western Railroad Company in Windsor, Canada, letters, freight bills and indorsed cashier’s checks as described in findings 2, 4, 6, and 8 hereof. Her employment for this special purpose was required because the task of transporting and delivering these items consumed a considerable amount of time, and there was no other available employee of Kellogg Company (or of its subsidiary, Kellogg Sales Company) who could be assigned to this job.
To and including October 31, 1950, Kathryn H. Wautelet was employed by Kellogg Company for the aforesaid purpose. She received a salary of $15 per week during this entire period. She reported to the Detroit, Michigan, office of Kellogg Sales Company as her place of employment.
From November 1, 1950, to December 31, 1950, Kellogg Company continued Miss Wautelet in its employ to perform minor clerical duties for it and its subsidiary, Kellogg Sales Company. Her salary was $15 per week and she worked at the Detroit, Michigan, office of Kellogg Sales Company. Her employment was terminated on December 31,1950.
Í1. During the period from July 31, 1950, to October 30, 1950, inclusive, the main business office of Kellogg Company was situated at Battle Creek, Michigan. Kellogg Company did not maintain an office in Detroit, Michigan, or in Windsor, Canada.
The payment of the freight charges set forth in these findings to agents of the respective railroads at Windsor, Canada, was not made for any business purpose other than to avoid payment of the tax imposed at that time by section 3475 (a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1939, as amended.
12. Each of the shipments described in findings 1 and 5 hereof originated at some point in the continental United States and was destined for Kellogg Company’s plant at Battle Creek, Michigan.
Each of the shipments described in findings 3 and 7 hereof originated at Battle Creek, Michigan, and was destined for a customer of Kellogg Sales Company situated in some part of the continental United States.
13. No repayment of any of the taxes set forth in the schedules in findings 1, 3, 5, and 7 hereof, or any part of such taxes, ever has been made to the plaintiffs by either of the railroads collecting the same, nor have the plaintiffs otherwise recovered such taxes or any part thereof. The plaintiffs have not consented to the allowance of credit or refund of such taxes in whole, or in part, to either of said railroads.
14. No action on the claims set forth in the above entitled proceedings other than those mentioned in the petitions filed herein has been taken before the Congress of the United States or before any department of the Government.
CONCLUSION OF LAW
Upon the foregoing findings of fact, which are made a part of the judgment herein, the court concludes as a matter of law, that the plaintiffs are not entitled to recover, and the petition is therefore dismissed.
Mim. 5447, December 7, 1942, 1942 — 2 Cumulative Bulletin 280.
Concurrence Opinion
concurring:
I concur on the ground that payment was made within the United States.
