US SUPREME COURT DECISIONS
CLEARFIELD TRUST CO. V. UNITED STATES, 318 U. S. 363 (1943)
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Clearfield Trust Co. v. United States, 318 U.S. 363 (1943)
Clearfield Trust Co. v. United States
No. 490
Argued February 5, 1943
Decided March 1, 1943
318 U.S. 363
CERTIORARI TO THE CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE THIRD CIRCUIT
1. When the United States disburses its funds or pays its debts, it is exercising a constitutional function or power; and its rights and duties on commercial paper so issued are governed by federal, rather than local, law. United State v. Guaranty Trust Co., 293 U. S. 340, distinguished. P. 318 U. S. 366.
2. In the absence of an applicable Act of Congress, it is for the federal courts to fashion the governing rule of federal law according to their own standards. P. 318 U. S. 367.
3. Reasons which at times may make state law an appropriate federal rule are singularly inappropriate in determining the rights and duties of the United States on commercial paper which it issues, since the desirability of a uniform rule in such cases is plain. P. 318 U. S. 367.