In Re Wood

This matter involves an attack by writ of habeas corpus upon a judgment for contempt growing out of a violation of an order modifying a preliminary injunction issued by the Superior Court of Los Angeles County in an action brought in the name of the People of the State of California on the relation of George D. Nordenholt, Director of Natural Resources of the State of California, against petitioners herein and numerous others as defendants.

The purpose of the aforesaid action is to restrain the alleged unreasonable waste of natural gas from the wells of the defendants therein named. In response to an order to show cause such defendants appeared, and after a hearing the superior court on June 16, 1939, issued its preliminary injunction and continued the matter until June 22d, at which time any party to the action was privileged to show cause why the preliminary injunction of June 16th should be modified, vacated or discharged, or a new and further preliminary injunction be made. On June 22d the matter was continued to June 27, 1939, on which last-named date the court made the following findings:

Based on the foregoing findings, and for the purpose, as stated by the court, “to…