Boston & Providence Railroad Stockholders Development Group v. Smith

PER CURIAM. The Boston & Providence Railroad Stockholders Development Group (appellant) appeals from the denial of its motion to intervene in the two reorganization proceedings of the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad Company (New Haven) in the District Court for the District of Connecticut (Docket Nos. 16562 and 30226). In addition to moving in this Court on May 18, 1964 for an extension of time within which to file the record on appeal, appellant moved on June 1, 1964 for “summary reversal” of the District Court and affirmance of__ its right to intervene. The Trustees of the New Haven (Trustees) have moved to dismiss the appeal. On March 2, 1964, hearings began in the District Court (Connecticut) on the Trustees’ petition for authority to support a proposed plan of reorganization of the Boston & Providence Railroad in proceedings before the Interstate Commerce Commission and the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts. Counsel for appellant moved to intervene generally and as amicus curiae in the New Haven proceedings. The motions were denied the same day. A denial of a motion to intervene as amicus curiae is not appealable, Clark v. Sandusky, 205 F.2d 915, 917 (7th Cir.1953). Appellant plainly lacks standing to intervene as a matter of right. It does not qualify as a creditor of the New Haven or as an interested party either in the New Haven proceedings generally or in the petition before the District Court on March 2, 1964. Bankruptcy Act, § 77, sub. c(13). Denial of intervention was therefore within the sound discretion of the District Court. Appellant’s rights, if any, may be fully protected in the Boston & Providence proceeding in the Interstate Commerce Commission and in the Massachusetts District Court. The Trustees’ motion to dismiss the appeal is granted, with costs, which are to include counsel fees; appellant's motions are denied.