United States v. Seward Peninsula Ry. Co.

The United States, immediately after fifing its petition for leave to intervene in the action at law just decided, filed in the same court its bill in equity against the defendants, the Seward Peninsula Railway Company, the Trust Company of America, holding a mortgage on the property of the railway company, the Northwestern Development *54 Company, plaintiff in the common-law action, and the Pioneer Mining Company, lessee of the property and engaged in operating all or some portion of the property.

The indebtedness alleged in the action at law is repeated substantially in the bill of complaint. It is alleged further that, because of the sovereign relation of the complainant to the property, there is a lien in its favor upon all of the property, plant, and equipment of the defendant for said license tax; and that such lien is prior and superior to all rights, claims, demands, and equities whatsoever or any or either of said Northwestern Development Company or other defendants. Various acts of conspiracy are charged against the defendants, said acts of conspiracy having for their alleged object the defrauding of the plaintiff out of the license tax due from the railroad company to…