New State Ice Co. v. Liebmann


New State Ice Co. v. Liebmann, 285 U.S. 262, was a decision by the Supreme Court of the United States.

Facts

The New State Ice Company, which was properly licensed in by the Corporation Commission of Oklahoma, brought suit against Liebman to prevent him from selling ice in Oklahoma City without a license.
The lower courts had relied on Frost v. Corporation Commission to conclude that a license is not necessary if existing businesses are "sufficient to meet the public needs therein."

Decision

The Supreme Court distinguished the case from Frost, which was concerned with businesses that grind grain. It found a public interest key to feeding the population that was not comparable to the ice market.
Justice Brandeis dissented from the court's opinion and was joined by Justice Stone: