Document: 345 U.S. 344 73 S.Ct. 693 97 L.Ed. 1061 UNITED STATESv.CERTAIN PARCELS OF LAND IN FAIRFAX COUNTY, COMMONWEALTH VIRGINIA, et al. No. 253. Argued Jan. 9, 1953. Decided April 6, Rehearing Denied May 18, See 960, 936. Mr. Rowland F. Kirks, Washington, D.C., for petitioner. Frederick A. Ballard, respondents. Justice CLARK delivered the opinion of Court. 1 This nine-year-old proceeding is condemnation certain easements in land and title to sewer mains which together comprise sewerage system Belle Haven, a residential subdivision Fairfax County, Virginia. It was brought under authority Title II, § 202 Act June 28, 1941, 55 Stat. 361,1 rider on Appropriation July 15, 1943, 57 565,2 both amendments Lanham October 14, 1940, 54 1125, 42 U.S.C. 1521 seq., U.S.C.A. seq. Questions important administration moved us grant certiorari, 812, 44, review dismissal government petition. 4 Cir., 196 F.2d 657, affirming, 101 F.Supp. 172. 2 During World War II defense housing needs Washington area led construct large project serve properties County. sought utilize, as part its trunkline sewer, existing containing pipes originally constructed by respondent Haven Realty Corporation. Negotiations produced an agreement corporation, still holder fee, accept nominal compensation condition that take entire final order protect householders against any future charges use. The then filed petition with declaration taking deposited estimated just $2. Possession taken court order, Haven's outfalls into Potomac River blocked off, sewage diverted government's system. In 1948, group intervened defendants, alleging had leased integrated County Board Supervisors latter undertaken assess use charge $2 per month each householder subdivision. intervenors claimed they were equitable owners fee since developing corporation included construction cost purchase price their lots, been granted user assessed exceeded reasonable maintenance operation costs. prayer court, lieu direct interest, them having contribute amortization decided acquired implied entitled claim intervention granted. 89 571. But district judge held he could not make award form limitation denied temporary injunction collection current bills. 567. amended answer attack unauthorized Act. Corporation, previously answered petition, did so 1950, claiming it legal owner present reproduction cost, less depreciation, compensation. 3 District Court dismissed ground Act, amended, required consent well realty only conditionally consented at all. While Appeals approved trial court's reading statutory requirement, declined base affirmance because, 'It perfectly clear * power given extends lands or interests lands; there nothing act authorizes public works such this.' 662, relying Puerto Rico Ry. Light & Power Co. v. United States, 131 491. original designed provide relief areas found President be suffering from impending shortage. cases, Federal Works Administrator empowered acquire 'improved unimproved lands' sites purchase, donation, exchange, lease condemnation. quoted language describing kind property condemn carried over added 1941 extended statute shortages areas. 'Public work,' defined, sewers facilities. 201. general within appears authorize here, States Carmack, 1946, 329 230, 242, 243, n. 13, 67 252, 257, 258, 91 209, necessary depend section alone. 'none funds authorized herein shall used already operated private agencies, except where are allotted substantial additions improvements thereof *.' 565, 1534, note, note. 1943 amendment effect when applicability here common among parties. explicitly subject conditions stated. 5 this connection, we do believe requirement bars acquisitions interpretation would strip significance other means acquiring described necessarily rest consensual transactions. Although sometimes regarded without owner's consent, Lewis, Eminent Domain (3d ed.), 1, anomalous can, effect, represent election have value determined rather than addition, 'friendly' proceedings often obtain settled. Cf. Danforth 1939, 308 271, 60 231, 84 240. Thus construed, all terms effect. 6 Here, Corporation implicit promise damages. That cannot characterized conditional. Indeed, corporation's answer, six years later, recognized this; resisting taking, merely asserted more 7 Whether intervening 'owners' whose different matter. Their courts below rights true easement holders term statutes. Swanson 9 156 442, 445, 170 A.L.R. 258; Welch, 1910, 217 333, 30 527, 787; cf. General Motors Corp., 1945, 323 373, 378, 65 357, 359, 311. relevant question those cases whether Constitution. compensability these issue here; follows rely controlling.3 deciding who look scheme itself. We think unlikely that, providing works, Congress same time intended preliminary negotiations cumbersome virtually nullify Yet pressed respondents compel government, before deal every servitude might subject. hold condemning engage round robin secure self-serving 'Barkis willin'.' pass issues raised respondents, some if adversely cured amendment, others deem ripe adjudication because factual questions yet resolved. 8 Reversed. JACKSON took no consideration decision case. 10 Chief VINSON, whom REED joins, dissenting. 11 Respondent-intervenors, owners, paid They 'owners pro tanto', Virginia law,1 interest constituting '* real had.'2 Yet, holds purposes federal law, reluctantly acquisition privately owned utilities first obtained. 12 One basic error underlies decision—the assumption facilitate national going provisions Act.3 361, signaled proposition Amendment 1532, broad enough utilities. immediately glossed assertion unnecessary it, Amendment, 1534 admittedly applicable, event. makes great difference interpreting provision depending approached narrow restriction otherwise program utilities, conditional power, theretofore withheld hostility avoided strict adherence imposed. 13 purpose §§ 1521—1524, relieve meet utility domain powers accomplishment purpose, but careful scheme. Section 202(a) improved works.' And Subsection (b) plan, design, construct, subsection (a) (c) 'To loans grants, both, agencies equipment therefor 14 Simply stated, Government shortage giving aid leasing constructing new Nowhere express 15 administrators law understood outlined above, evidenced communications pressing enactment Amendment4 reporting after enactment.5 open request undoubtedly precipitated debate sensitive versus privately-owned Immediate post-enactment events shown raised, rejected out hand. 16 1942, Agency attempted electric First Circuit When learned attempt Rican system, immediate reaction. bill introduced increase appropriation Senator Taft offered 17 agencies.' Cong.Rec. 7286. 18 explained reference case, concluding follows: 19 certainly proceeding. facilities, old I should Act.' (Emphasis supplied.) Ibid. 20 Maloney, pending concurred Taft's Act: 21 'Mr. President, can see objection Ohio. agree him funds, least my opinion—and one helped write Act—were Rico. So language, matter fact share feeling Ohio.' Id., 7287. 22 outright prohibition using comments legislators declaratory what correct content leave legislation doubt, lest place Circuit. 23 until following day excepting clause Amendment. Taft. Public called Senator's attention case Navy needed expand railroad require expenditure about double railroad. asked utility. said 'Even own 7314. came form.6 24 legislative background shows constitutes strictly construed keeping spirit guarded caution Therefore, construe class 'owners,' must had, normal usage eminent context. 25 majority does bar proceedings, interposed exercise right domain, obvious sense interpret being persons compensable affected domain. rule has suggested terms: seeks divest estate, substitute therefor, word 'owner' receive liberal construction, embrace Glover 1896, 164 294, 299—300, 95, 97, 41 440. recently restated 445: 'The statutes relating includes person condemned.'7 26 persuasion equivalent Fifth simply speaks context, most source say meaning definition, implication, clearly carry overriding policy statute.8 If reads it—a congressional ultilities—then justification narrower reference, administrative convenience. 27 built 1925 Corp. development As lots sold, proportionate purchaser lot. conveyance lot 'appurtenances wise belonging.' retained responsibility maintaining made On state facts, way appurtenant Certain Parcels Land D.C.1948, 28 Court's finding nature questioned give 787. follow, principles urged required. 29 Perhaps may practical consents Thus, entity speak proper property, trustee speaking shareholders beneficiaries, individual potentially adverse interest. stood gain burden taken, while lose free noted his opinion, seems never occurred ownership system.' 172, 174. absurd satisfied getting corporating circumstances. inadequacy changed despite genuine effort thought best owners. Intervenors' inconsequential left beneficence someone much admitted inference right. Why withhold right? Even satisfy statute, ever seeking flowage through lower end trunk line, decree service imposed owners.9 condemnation, 1944, evidences intent proceed consent. plead seek nor protection Not Government's lessee, ran trouble trying levy uniform assessment, try then, apparent behind whole lessee owners.10 conclude find happy afterthought awakening realization justified Amendment.11 31 event, upon unwilling accept.'12 Unless something foregoing pattern facts amounts absolute rhetorical response allow justify resort refused honor. 32 salvaged intervene. pleads belief violated states primary though ask compensation, fair entirety alternative plea, attacking dishonored, alternatively upheld. 33 small mayseem insignificant thing view vast scope powers, impact balmed assurance losses. stake transcends duty keep faith execution carefully limited considerations alone evaluate. Because instant exceeds authorization, affirm judgment below. 'Sec. 202. Whenever finds locality acute health, safety, welfare engaged national-defense activities exists impends impede activities, provided needed, imposition increased excessive tax unusual debt limit taxing borrowing exists, authorized, approval shortage— '(a) To acquire, none Since deemed himself unable restore condition, remitted separate action damage suffered taking. Under ruling, remain intergrated corporation. householders, any, determined. upholding tried remand D.C.E.D.Va.1951, 175; D.C.1950, 567; 1952, 662. read compels limiting proviso forced 'to subject', thereby making 'cumbersome.' At hearings Counsel testified respect H.R. 3213 (a draft, substantially purposes) 'And land, unimproved, maintain operate them, administer sell transfer also grants purposes.' Hearings Committee Buildings Grounds 3570, 77th Cong., 1st Sess. p. 59. 'Authority II: 'Under authorized: '(1) community facilities projects. '(2) non-Federal '(3) contributions facilities.' Memorandum attached Report Senate Grounds, S.Rep.No.376, 78th 3. 565. Dubois Hepburn, 1836, Pet. 23, 325, permitted redeem delinquent land: 'Any right, which, equity, land; entry possession enjoyment, owner. *' 440, mortgage creditor refund, reimburse liable pay tax. interesting note apparently reached 'spring 1943,' prior 1943. little difficult statute. conclusion Appeals. 662—663. extent depends tried. presently records supports exercised help local county solve problem assessments. true, affair completely unworthy high trust attend sovereign However, raises purpose. question, specific 491, 495—496, 'for improvements' will remand. referred 'purported owner' 175, position quite inconsistent later brings There formal findings fact. pointed out, (district) (the text) fact, hearing parties number pre-trial conferences.'

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