Federal Fire Protection Service, Inc.

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IN THE l\LATTER OF FEDER,AL FIRE PROTECTION SERVICE, INC., ET AL. ORDER, ETC., IN REGARD TO THE ALLEGED VIOLATION OF THE FEDERAL TRADE CO:l\nnSSION ACT Docket 6811. Co1nIJlai.' , Jllne HJJi-Decision, Oct. 3, 1957' Onler di8wissing without prejudice, for failure to effect service, complaint charging a concern in \Yashington, D, , with using stare tactics and false claims to sell home fire alarm systems.

Erl1.Da.rd F. DO1f)nS and Gm"land S. Ferguson, Esqs. for the Commission.

INITIAL DECISION BY J.UIES A. PURCELL, HEARING EXAMINER On June 3, 1957, the Federal Trade Commission issued its complaint, stating its belief to be that respondents, Federal Fire Protection Service., Inc., a corporation organized and doing business under and by virtue of the laws of the District of Columbia, with its principal place of business located at No. 6230 Third Street, Northwest "\Vashington, D. , and Richard O. "\Vaterman, individually and as an officer of the corporate respondent and, in his latter capacity, formulating, directing and controlling the policies, acts and practices of sneh corporate respondent, have violated the provisions of the Federal Trade Com111ission Act by use of false and deceptive acts and practices, and the use of so-called "scare tactics" in the sale of fire alarm systems for use by the members of the public in their homes.

On A.llgust 7, 1957, the attorneys in support of the complaint filed in this proceeding a motion to dismiss the complaint without prejudice, stating, intel' alia that every effort, (including attempted personal service), had been made to effect service of said complaint, as required by law, upon the said respondents but without success, it appearing that the corporate respondent has ceased its business operations and that the individual respondent has left. for parts unknown wherefore service has been rendered unobtainable. The I-Iearing Examiner has considered the said motion and, being of opinion that, under the circumstances delineated, such motion should be granted:

1 t is ordered That the complaint in this matter be, and it hereby, dismissed without prejudice, however, to the right of the Decision 54 F. T. C. Federal Trade Commission to institute another proceeding or to take such other action at any time in the future as it may elect or as may be appropriate in the then existing circumstances. DECISION OF THE COl\Ll\fISSION Pursuant to Section 3.21 of the Commission s Rules of Practice the initial decision of the hearing examiner did, on the 3rd day of October-r, 1957, become the decision of the Commission. ... ..

DEXTER' S FURRIERS , INC. , ET AL. 421 Decision