Document: 337 U.S. 535 69 S.Ct. 1235 93 L.Ed. 1524 WOODSv.INTERSTATE REALTY CO. No 465. Argued March 30, 31, 1949. Decided June 20, Mr. P. H. Eager, Jr., Jackson, Miss., for petitioner. Messrs. Phil Stone, Oxford, John A. Osoinach, Memphis, Tenn., respondent. Justice DOUGLAS delivered the opinion of Court. 1 This case was brought in District Court Mississippi on grounds diversity citizenship. Respondent, a Tennessee corporation, sued petitioner, resident Mississippi, broker's commission alleged to be due sale real estate petitioner Mississippi. The found motion summary judgment that contract void under law, since respondent doing business without qualifying statute.1 It therefore dismissed complaint with prejudice. 2 Appeals reversed. reviewed decisions statute and concluded not but only unenforcible courts. held reliance David Lupton's Sons Co. v. Automobile Club America, 225 489, 32 711, 56 1177, Ann.Cas.1914A, 699, fact could sue courts did close doors federal court sitting State. Accordingly it reversed 168 F.2d 701. 3 is here petition writ certiorari which we granted because seeming conflict holding our recent ruling Angel Bullington, 330 183, 67 657, 91 832. 4 If controls, clear right allowing action maintained court. In New York provided no foreign corporation 'maintain any this state' certificate had qualified do there. by reason nevertheless enforced suit. said, at page 500, 714, 'The state prescribe qualifications suitors United States, deprive their privileges those who were entitled Constitution laws States resort Federal enforcement valid contract.' 5 We said Bullington become 'obsolete' insofar as 'based view jurisdiction came an end Erie Railroad Tompkins, 304 64, 58 817, 82 1188, 114 A.L.R. 1487.' 192, 662, North Carolina deficiency realty deed trust. Supreme disallowed such construed 'a limitation state.' Angel, 220 N.C. 18, 16 S.E.2d 411, 412, 136 1054. Thereafter suit (1) prior res judicata; (2) policy R. Tompkins precluded maintenance cases suits State ad closed its 6 latter argumentary, basis decision being denied recovery doctrine judicata. But where rests two or more grounds, none can relegated category obiter dictum. Title Ins. & Trust Co., 265 472, 486, 44 621, 623, 68 1110; Commonwealth Massachusetts 333 611, 747, 754, 755, 92 968. 7 alternative ground followed Guaranty York, 326 99, 108, 65 1464, 1469, 89 2079, 160 1231, purposes 'in effect, another * *.' required apply limitations equity actions thus follow local previously been done involving burden proof, Cities Service Oil Dunlap, 308 208, 60 201, 84 196; cf. Stoner Life 311 464, 61 336, 85 284; contributory negligence, Palmer Hoffman, 318 109, 117, 63 477, 482, 87 645, 144 719; laws, Klaxon Stentor Electric Mfg. 313 487, 1020, 1477; Griffin McCoach, 498, 1023, 1481, 134 1462; accrual cause action, West American Tel. 223, 179, 139, 132 956. premised theory law creates does supply remedy all case; one barred from court, he should likewise contrary result would create discriminations against citizens favor authorized invoke element discrimination designed eliminate. 8 Reversed. 9 RUTLEDGE dissents. See his dissenting Nos. 442 512, Cohen Beneficial Industrial Loan Corp., 541, 1221. 10 JACKSON, dissenting. 11 1487, decisional Rules Decision Act them statutes. 12 That what tried case. has says if qualify within 'shall permitted bring maintain (Emphasis supplied.) decisions, some are free ambiguity, intends go farther than withhold aid state-maintained noncomplying contracts validity intend foreclose corporations self-enforcing remedies they may have. 13 refuses give limited effect. I understand rule cannot enact closing own also seem very thing profess avoid; is, different meaning have given it. 14 follows pattern general among states requiring qualification payment fees corporations. generally Acts help ut leave rights otherwise unimpaired. interpretation left get other court—federal state—that take jurisdiction, pledged property, offset various methods self-help. 15 now interpreted harsh, capricious vindictive measure. either entertain impaired holds invalid unknown effects amounts already collected. amount punishment bears relation wrong failure pay taxes. penalty suffered State, sustained injury, results unjust enrichment debtor, injury creditors' default qualification. agree so it; whole think Court's refusing accept court's determination effect perversion doctrine. 17 affirm below. 18 BURTON join opinion. Miss. Code 1942, § 5319, requires file written power attorney designating agent whom service process had. provides, 'Any failing comply above provisions shall

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