THE ALICE B. PHILLIPS.
415
lid. In view of the prior art, of which his own prior patent must be deemed a part (see James v. Campbell, 104 U. S. 382; McCreary v. Canal Co., 141 U. S. 459, 12 Sup. Ct. 40), the claims in question must be confined to combinations substantially embodying the specific elements claimed. Among the elements of such claims we find a bulge having a slot at its end, and a flat spring inserted through the slot. These elements or combinations of parts are lacking in respondent's device. We are of opinion infringement has not been shown. The decree of the circuit court is therefore reversed, and that court is directed to dismiss the bill.
THE ALICE B. PHILLIPS. THE SIRIUS. FORD v. THE ALICE B. PHILLIPS.
V(Olrcult Court of Appeals. Third Circuit. June 2, 1897.) 1. COLLISION-LIGHTS-CREDIBILITY OF WITNESSES.
That witnesses who testify that the lights of their own vessel were burn· ing brightly say they especially looked at them on the approach of the other vessel casts no suspicion on their testimony, It being natural that they should do so under the circumstances. held, on the evidence and Circumstances, not to have been due to any In-
2.
SAME-STEAMER AND SAIL.
A collision at night on the open sea, between a steamship and schooner,
sufficlency or lack ot lights on the schooner, as alleged in behalf ot the steamer; and the steamer held In tault.
Appeal from the District Court of the United States for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. .were cross libels in rem to recover damages resulting from a collis.lOti between the schooner Alice B. Phillips and the steamship Sirius. The collision occurred between 1 and 2 o'clock on the morning of September 9, 1894, on the open sea, about 12 miles southward of Fenwick Island Lightship, and resulted in serious injury to the schooner. The night was dark, but neither foggy nor thick. The courses of the vessels, as they approached, were slightly crossing, but nearly head on. In the answer filed in behalf of the steamer, the schooner, among other things, was charged with changing her course; but this charge was abandoned at the hearing, and the claimant relied on an allegation that the schooner's port light was not burning. The circuit court found that this allegation was not proved, and accordingly sustained the libel of the schooner, and dismissed that of the steamer. The claimant of the steamer appealed. John F. Lewis, for appellant. Curtis Tilton and Henry R. Edmunds, for appellee. Before ACHESON and DALLAS, Circuit Judges, and BUFFINGTON, District Judge. .
416
81 FEDERAL REPORTER.
DALLAS, Circuit Judge. The distinction urged upon our attention in the appellant's brief, an inquiry as to whether the schooner's port light was burning at all and an inquiry as to whether it was so burning as to be properly visible, is one which does not appear to be material under the evidence. The testimony of those on board the schooner is harmonious, positive, and credible, and is distinctly to the effect, not only that the light in question was actually burning, but also that it was bright; and we cannot agree that, because it has been testified that some-perhaps all-of these witnesses especially looked at the light to observe its condition when the steamer was perceived to be approaching, we should regard their statements with suspicion. On the contrary, we think this was a perfectly natural thing for them to do under the circumstances, and that the fact that they did do it makes their testimony all the more certain and reliable. The officers and crew of the steamship tell, in the main, a different story. Unfortunately, this but accords with the common experience in such cases; but we think the weight of the evidence is decidedly with the appellee. There are several circumstances which plainly incline the scale to his side. The admission of Williams, the steamer's second officer, that he saw the schooner's light "about one and one half miles away," has not been successfully explained, and its effect cannot be evaded; and, perhaps, it may be due to some of the crew of the steamer who state that they looked, and did not see the light, to say that it seems to be more than possible that they were mistaken in supposing that they were in a situation to see it. The starboard light was unquestionably burning brightly, and, this being so, it is not at all likely that the corresponding light on the port side was either not in place or had been neglected. The port lantern itself has been produced. It was much damaged by the collision, but its condition when taken from the schooner indicated that it had been lighted. There was no oil upon it, and we think there probably would have been if, when the shock occurred, it had not been all consumed by fire communicated by a lighted wick. Standing alone, but little importance would be attached to this hypothesis; but, in connection with other matters which tend to support it, we have not thought it unworthy of notice. The specifications which relate to the taxation of costs have not been argued, and the conclusion we have reached on the merits renders consideration of the motion to dismiss unnecessary. The decree is affirmed.
DUNCAN V. ASSOCIATED PRESS.
417
DUNGAN v. ASSOOIATED PRESS. (CIrcuit Court, S. D. California. May 10, 1891.) 1. REMOVAL OF CAUSES-DIVERSE CITIZENSHIP.
The restrictions as to the residence of parties contained In section 1 of the act of August 13, 1888, do not apply to jUl.'Iisdiction by removal; and a suit between citizens of different states, commenced in a state court, may be removed to a federal court, though neither party is a citizen or resident of the state where such suit Is commenced. The fact that a petition for the removal of a cause from a state to a federal court, which is filed before the time to answer expires, is accompanied or even preceded by a demurrer, does not in any way prejudice or afrect the right of removal.
B.
SAME-TIME FOR REMOVAL.
On Motion to Remand. Blanton Duncan and D. Allen, for plaintiff. Henry T. Gage and White & Monroe, for defendant. WELLBORN, District Judge. This action, for the recovery of damages laid in the complaint at $50,000, was brought originally in the superior court of Los Angeles county, Cal. Service of the summons was duly made in the city of San Francisco on the 27th day of June, 1896. On the 24th day of July next following, defend· ant filed in the state court a demurrer, and also a petition, with bond, for the removal of the suit into the federal court, which bond was approved and petition granted by said state court, and a certificate of the record duly filed in this court. The ground of removal, as set forth in the petition, is as follows, to wit: "That your peti'!Jloner was at the time of the bringing of this suit, and still is, a corporation organized under the laws of the state of Illinois, and a citizen of the state of Illinois. and that said suit and the controversy in said suit is between citizens of different states; that your petitioner was at the time of the commencement of this suit, and still is, a citizen of the strute of Illinois: and that plaintifr was at the time of the commencement of this suLt, and still Is, a citizen of the state of Oalifornia."
Plaintiff now moves to remand the case to the state court upon the ground, as specified in the motion to remand and accompanying affidavits, that this court is without jurisdiction, because the plaintiff is, and was when the action was commenced, a citizen of the state of Kentucky, and had his residence in the city of Louisville, in said last-named state. Plaintiff urges as a further reason why the case should be remanded that a demurrer to the complaint was filed in the state court before the petition and bond for removal. At the hearing of the motion, evidence was offered by both parties as to the citizenship and residence of plaintiff; that is, whether such citizen· ship and residence were in California or Kentucky,-defendant insisting upon the former, and plaintiff upon the latter, state. In the view, however, which I now take of the law of the case, it is unnecessary to review this evidence; for plaintiff's residence does not affect the right of removal, and, while I think his citizenship has been shown to be in Kentucky, yet a finding either way on the issue of citizenship would sustain the material allegation of the petition for 81F.-27