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Show STATUTE KILLED By THElflGHEST COURT Missouri Lawmakers Fail in Attempt to Discriminate as to Corporations. WASUINGTON. May 31. The slatuto of Missouri passed March 13. 1907, prohibiting pro-hibiting foreign corporations from doing business within the stute, If they seek litigation in the United States courts, was today declared "unconstitutional by the United States supreme court. In striking down the statute the court upheld the opinion of Judge Smith Mc-I'herson Mc-I'herson of the circuit court of the United States for tho western district of Mls sourl. The opinion replied forcibly to the critics of tho federal courts for "Inlcr-icniig "Inlcr-icniig with state affairs." The validity of Iho law was brought before, tire courts for decision when the Rock Island & Pacific Railroad company com-pany asked for an Injunction to prevent the secretary of state of Missouri from revoking Its license lo do business In the state because of alleged violations of the statute of March 13. Tho circuit court held tho act of March 31 was unconstitutional un-constitutional because It discriminated against foreign corporations by allowing resident companies to suo In federal courts whero federal questions might be Involved, because It denied to foreign corporations rights granted them under tho federal constitution and becnuso It Impaired the contract agreement of 1S70. whereby foreign corporations wcro promised prom-ised the same protection of law by tho state as local corporations. |