Document: 335 U.S. 297 69 S.Ct. 70 93 L.Ed. 16 HOINESSv.UNITED STATES. No. 20. Argued Oct. 21, 1948. Decided Nov. 8, Mr. Herbert Resner, of San Francisco, Cal., for petitioner. Harry I. Rand, Washington, D.C., respondent. Justice DOUGLAS delivered the opinion Court. 1 Petitioner was a seaman on S.S. Escanaba Victory, vessel owned by United States and operated under an agreement between War Shipping Administration1 American-South African Line, Inc., provisions which are unnecessary to relate here. He injured while docked at port California, brought this suit in admiralty against States2 Suits Admiralty Act 46 U.S.C.A. § 741 et seq.3 41 Stat. 525, U.S.C. 742, 742. The libel alleged that maintains offices principal places business Northern District California where brought, but it did not allege petitioner resident district4 nor found there time filed. appear specially answered merits, leaving all questions jurisdiction court. Court raised question sua sponte and, being lacking dismissed libel. 75 F.Supp. 289. 2 Its dated August 5, 1946, same day entered order reading as follows: 3 'It is ordered: 4 'That herein lack jurisdiction, respondents have judgment costs. 5 'Counsel will submit findings fact conclusions law accordance with rules court filed herewith.' 6 On October 14, 'Findings Fact Conclusions Law' decree. decree after formal recitals stated: 'Wherefore, reason evidence premises, law, aforesaid, ordered, adjudged decreed above-entitled has no over subject matter action, be dismissed. 7 18, petition appeal stating he 'aggrieved rulings, findings, made 1946.' allowed day. 8 Appeals divided vote appeal, holding first final one appealable. 9 Cir., 165 F.2d 504. case here certiorari. We find determine whether or decision5 from could taken within meaning 128 Judicial Code, 36 1133, 28 (1946 Ed.) 225; 62 929, 1291, 1291. three months earlier two therefore timely. 43 940, 230. And although referred solely second first, defect such technical nature should disregarded policy expressed Congress R.S. 954, 777.6 10 mandate statute disregard niceties form give right cause shall it. It seems us hypertechnical say papers bring sole issue fairly before Appeals. Thus assignments error framed attacked basis well second. What appellant sought reviewed plain. failure use words if date decision, insubstantial misspelling would been, since used identified rulings were challenged, way altered scope review. Cf. Reconstruction Finance Corporation v. Prudence Securities Advisory Group, 311 579, 582, 61 331, 333, 85 364; Georgia Hardwood Lumber Co. Compania De Navegacion Transmar, S.A., 323 334, 336, 65 293, 294, 89 280. 11 II. ruling Act, directing suits brought,7 jurisdictional our view erroneous. Those properly construed venue. 12 section relates libels rem personam. A similar provision Tucker 24 506, 762, 1402, held prescribe venue hence waived object pleading merits. Hvoslef, 237 1, 11, 12, 35 459, 462, 59 813, Ann.Cas.1916A, 286; Thames & Mersey Marine Ins. States, 19, 24, 496, 497, 821, Ann.Cas.1915D, 1087. An analogous Jones 1007, 688, way. Panama R. Johnson, 264 375, 384, 385, 44 391, 392, 393, 68 748. we recently indicated correct construction comparable Public Vessels 1112, 782, 782 (Canadian Aviator, Ltd., 324 215, 224, 639, 644, 901), act purpose design present one. See American Stevedores Porello, 330 446, 452, 453, 67 847, 850, 851, 91 1011. 13 Congress, describing district investing federal courts 'with general terms applicable alike them'. supra, page dealing convenience parties suing sued designated places. grant seamen relief its own courts. concepts residence place obviously can relevance when applied States. ubiquitous throughout land unlike private parties, centered particular place. libelant cargo may best measure parties. But willing defend different place, nothing prevent 14 reversed remanded further proceedings conformity opinion. 15 Reversed remanded. Maritime Commission now stands shoes. 60 501. Other also they case. Section provides part: cases privately operated, possessed, proceeding maintained commencement action provided for, personam corporation, be, employed merchant tugboat corporation. Such so suing, any them, reside their charged liability found. * Upon application either party may, discretion ocurt, transferred other States.' record shows petitioner's Oregon. This kind problem appropriately handled through rule making authority Commissioner Internal Revenue Bedford's Estate, 325 283, 288, 1157, 1159, 1611. That reads 'No summons, writ, declaration, return, process, judgment, civil causes, abated, arrested, quashed, want form; proceed according it, without regarding defect, form, except those which, demurrer, demurring sets down, together his thereof; amend every than expresses; permit process pleadings, upon conditions shall, rules, prescribe.' After dismissal case, foregoing repealed, effective September 992, 39. see Revision Title 28, U.S.Code, H.Rep.No.308, 80th Cong., 1st Sess., p. 239. 954 preserved respects pending repeal, repealing 'Any rights liabilities existing sections parts thereof affected repeal.' Rules 15, 81, Civil Procedure. note 3, supra.

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