PARTIES-POSTMASTER GENERAL AS INDISPENSABLE PARTY TO INJUNCTION AGAINST LOCAL POSTMASTER

The Postmaster General, after a hearing in Washington, D.C., found petitioners' business fraudulent, and issued a fraud order directing respondent, the local postmaster, to stamp "fraudulent" on all mail addressed to petitioners and return it to the senders. The petitioners sued, without joining the Postmaster General, to enjoin respondent from carrying out the order. The federal district court dismissed the complaint, and the circuit court affirmed. On certiorari, held, reversed.

The Postmaster General is not an indispensable party if the decree restraining the local postmaster will give the relief desired without requiring any action on the part of the Postmaster General. Williams v. Fanning, 332 U.S. 490, 68 S.Ct. 188 (1947).