People v. Associated Oil Co.

This is an appeal from an order granting a preliminary injunction. The action was brought against some forty-three oil producers in the Santa Fe Springs Oil Field in Los Angeles County to enjoin the unreasonable waste of natural gas pursuant to the provisions of the so-called “Oil and Gas Conservation Act” of 1915 (Stats. 1915, p. 1404), as amended in 1929 (Stats. 1929, p. 923). After notice and hearing the court, on March 19, Í930, issued a temporary injunction as prayed for in the complaint. The terms of this injunction were modified on March 28, 1930. From the injunction as modified this appeal was taken by three of the defendants in the action, to wit: Twin Bell Syndicate, Second Twin Bell Syndicate and Star Petroleum Company. An application was then made by these appellants for a writ of supersedeas to stay the operation of the injunction pending the appeal therefrom. The application was denied by this court on December 3, 1930. (People v. Associated Oil Co. et al., 211 Cal. 93 [ 294 Pac. 717 ].)

The order appealed from is attacked first on the ground that the statute under which the action was brought is unconstitutional, and secondly that the injunction issued is void as…