United States v. Litton Industries, Inc.

Litton Industries, Inc., appeals from a district court order directing Litton to comply with Federal Trade Commission (FTC) orders for the disclosure of information to aid the FTC in its investigation of conglomerate corporation mergers.

The FTC issued its orders pursuant to Section 6 of the Federal Trade Commission Act, 15 U.S.C. § 46 . Upon Litton’s refusal to comply, the FTC requested the Attorney General to seek judicial enforcement pursuant to 15 U.S.C. § 49 . He did so. After a minor modification of the request, which is not here relevant, the district court ordered Litton to produce the desired information. Litton appealed, and was granted a stay pending our decision. We have jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1291 . The order is affirmed and the stay is vacated.

The FTC, on July 2, 1968, adopted a resolution directing an investigation of the social and economic consequences of corporate mergers in the United States. The investigation was specifically directed toward Litton and eight other corporations.

On January 2, 1969, the FTC issued to the nine corporations subpoenas duces tecum and orders requiring the filing of special reports. Litton moved in the FTC to quash…