City of Boston v. Boston Edison Company, City of Boston v. Boston Edison Company

MAGRUDER, Chief Judge.

Lurking in the background on this appeal are interesting questions regarding the liability of joint tortfeasors inter se for indemnity or contribution. Despite the expressed hope of the district judge that the court of appeals would find occasion “to write a classic opinion on this case”, we have concluded, in view of the state of the record now before us, that for the most part we ought not to rule on such questions.

The basis for federal jurisdiction of the original complaint is diversity of citizenship. The plaintiffs are various citizens of Texas and Michigan, who are…