Document: 329 U.S. 591 67 S.Ct. 540 91 L.Ed. 527 KRUG, Secretary of the Interior, et al.v.SANTA FE PAC. R. CO. (two cases). Nos. 97 and 98. Argued Jan. 6, 7, 1947. Decided Feb. 3, Mr Frederick Bernays Wiener, Providence, R.I., for petitioners. Mr.Lawrence Cake, Washington, D.C., respondent. Mr. Justice BLACK delivered opinion Court. 1 In first half Nineteenth Century United States acquired a vast new area sparsely populated lands in South West. Settlement absorption this territory into older part country became national problem which demanded its solution more rapid extensive means transportation goods people than was provided by wagons, stagecoaches, waterways. The building railroads largely answer. They made it possible frontier homesteads communities to be established on yet maintain live contact with economy culture. To encourage railroad program, Congress chose make public grants large proportion underwrite subsidize participation private individuals privately owned companies program.1 congressional program land 'in aid construction' were sown seeds present lawsuit. 2 Enormous areas granted railroads, almost equal acreage New England States, York Pennsylvania combined.2 Execution land-grant marked innumerable complex unforeseen difficulties; course has been beset claims counterclaims asserted between settlers, Government.3 Congress, executive agencies, courts have repeatedly called upon help resolve these conflicting claims. lapse nearly century since instituted not resolved all . This lawsuit requires consideration old recent efforts settle persistently recurring controversies. 3 One substantial field railroad-government controversy terms original acts required carry Government personnel free tolls. By reason judicial interpretation terms, as supplemented periodic legislation,4 immediately prior 1940 transported at one-half standard commercial rates. During depression years beginning late 1920's following, earnings declined considerably, movement began relieve roads their rate obligations. Studies some selected agencies recommended legislation outright repeal provisions concessions Government.5 Bills accomplish 75th 76th Congresses failed pass6 but § 321 Transportation Act 19407 that could, compliance specified conditions,8 collect from full rates, except military naval freight personnel. brief, railroad, qualify must execute, within year after passage Act, release any claim might 'against lands, interest compensation, or reimbursement account interests granted, claimed is should such carrier * predecessor under grant aforesaid.' (Italics supplied.) 4 Shortly respondent took advantage it, gave framed substantially words statute.9 Its had obtained Arizona Mexico, an 1866 containing usual governmental concession terms. 14 Stat. 292, 297.10 specifically recited if Government, because settlement homesteaders, could give possession select, direction other lieu them indemnity. Respondent outstanding against 'indemnity' when signed concedes extinguishes 5 But so-called asserts extinguished. urges are covered release. They, allegedly 'on of' 'under grant' rest contractual exchanges Acts 1874 1904. 18 194; 33 556. These represented effort conflicts among arose homesteaders railroad-granted made. Both where settlers so occupied relinquishment title them, select them. procedure selecting 1904 identical selection indemnity lands. Before had, Acts, relinquished certain previously granted. August 1940, subsequently March 1943, filed applications t e Interior After release, rejected applications. then suit Federal District Court relief injunction way mandamus require interior Department officials pass without regard dismissed bill merits, holding statute barred It read defining purpose 'to wipe slate clean enjoyed benefits *.' Santa Fe Pac. Co. v. Ickes, 57 F.Supp. 984, 987. Appeals Columbia reversed, holding, Court, did apply type involved here. 153 F.2d 305. Importance question decided caused us certiorari. 6 We agree think, held, Interior's construction clearly right. Therefore, we do discuss Government's contention that, Secretary's reasonable one, allowable exercise his discretion set aside nature mandamus. See Work, 267 511, 517, 45 400, 401, 69 764; cf. santa Lane, 244 492, 37 714, 61 1275. 7 argues case here though only applied 'lands grant.' language narrow. also surrender 'compensation, itself indicates draftsmen utilize every term possibly conceived scope broad would put end future controversies, administrative difficulties, growing out grants. Beyond doubt 'compensation' 'reimbursement' ordinarily understood describe payment money kind grant.'11 If they meaning, use hardly surplusage. And viewed context historical controversies grants, conclusion covers respondent's seems inescapable. 8 legislative history shows familiar 1929 passed intended authorize determination Northern Pacific Railroad order finally completely rest. 46 41, 43 U.S.C.A. 921 seq. authorized tried pending passed. Co., 311 317, 264, 85 210. Our decision complexity ramifications numerous questions Reference urging include predecessors requirement arising prerequisite concessions.12 Here, one think bar accepting acts, ofar those originally All involved, 1866, 1874, relate continuous stream inter-related transactions basically stemming thing—the wrote finis accepted executing releases. 9 Reversed. For see Public Aids Transportation, Section Research, Coordinator (1940) I, 45, 46; Heaton, Land Grants, Encyc. Soc. Sciences (1935) IX, 32—35. supra, 35. Other sources figure federal grants-in-aid 134,303,668 acres, equivalent 204,849 square miles 6.93 per cent continental States. Seventy received op. cit. n. 1, 13. Great 315 262, 273, 62 529, 533, 86 836. II, 5—56, Gates, Grants Railways, Dictionary Amer. Hist. III, 237. cases collected §§ 888, 890, 893, 894, 900, 904. Lake Superior M.R.R. 93 442, 23 965; Atchison, T. & F.R.R. 15 Ct.Cl. 126, 148; Cf. 72, 74; 452, 453, 454; 20 377, 390; 27 174, 180. Committee Three: Report 24, 1938, H.Doc.No. 583, Cong., 3d Sess., 32; Six: December 23, Hearings, House Interstate Foreign Commerce H.R. 2531, 1st 260. 10620, Cong.; S. 3876, 1915 1990, Cong. 54 954, 49 U.S.C. 65, 65. (b) provides 'If interest, shall operated law respect (reduced rate) compensation continue subsection (a) section enacted until file form manner prescribed him, may aforesaid. Such y ar (the date enactment Act). Nothing construed requiring reconvey heretofore patented certified prevent issuance patents confirming find sold innocent purchaser value preventing listed carrier, listing fully approved extent law.' 'Santa Company, corporation organized existing virtue 1897 (29 622), office principal place business York, State hereby, accordance Part II Title III rules regulations issued thereunder relinquishes, remises quitclaims America whatever description therein, therefor act Company portion railroad. 'This does embrace rights station grounds company, company purchasers September 18, embraced selections railroad.' 10 note 4, supra. 11 332, 335, 353, 354, 280, 281, 12 Subcommittee Senate Commerce, 1915, 1990 2294, 66; ibid., 59, 164.

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