Du Pont General Motors Case

On June 3, 1957, the United States Supreme Court, in a four to two decision, held that the du Pont Company's ownership of twenty-three per cent of the voting stock of General Motors had tended to create a monopoly in a line of commerce and thus violated section 71 of the Clayton Act. Justice Brennan wrote the majority opinion and Justice Burton, joined by Justice Frankfurter filed a vigorous dissent. Three of the Justices, Clark, Harlan and Whittaker took no part in the consideration or decision of the case. Hence, a possibility remains that the present Court, with all nine Justices participating, might reverse the rules laid down in this decision.