Source: https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/254/554/
Timestamp: 2019-04-19 11:08:53+00:00

Document:
1. Decrees of the circuit court of appeals affirming decree of the district court placing the Alien Property Custodian in possession of property in libel proceedings brought by him under the Trading with the Enemy Act held reviewable in this Court by writ of error. P. 254 U. S. 566.
2. Congress has power in war time to provide for immediate seizure, in pais or through a court, of property supposed to belong to the enemy, leaving the question of enemy ownership vel non to be settled later at the suit of the claimant. P. 254 U. S. 566.
which confers on the district court jurisdiction to make all such orders and decrees as may be necessary and proper to enforce the provisions of the act, those courts have jurisdiction to enforce the demands of the Alien Property Custodian for the delivery of property to the possession of which the act entitles him. P. 254 U. S. 566.
Held that, upon a determination after investigation by the Custodian, exercising the President's power by delegation under § 5 of the act, that certain securities were held by trustees for the benefit of enemy insurance companies, followed by demand, the duty arose to deliver them to the Custodian; that the question of enemy property vel non could not be inquired into in his suit to compel delivery, but rights in that regard could be asserted and protected by claim, and, if necessary, suit, for return of the property, under § 9, as amended. P. 254 U. S. 567.
5. Proceedings of this character are alternative to direct seizure by the Custodian under § 7(c) of the act as amended by the Act of November 4, 1918, and involve only the right to possession. P. 254 U. S. 568. Clinkenbeard v. United States, 21 Wall. 65, distinguished.
6. Insofar as concerns claimants who proceed as allowed by amended § 9, a proceeding like the present gives a mere preliminary custody, although in other respects the Custodian may get a conveyance under the act, with broad powers of management and disposition under § 12, as amended. P. 254 U. S. 569.
As is obvious from the statement of the pleadings, the libels are brought upon the theory that these are purely possessory actions and that, for the purposes of immediate possession, the determination of the Enemy Property Custodian is conclusive, whether right or wrong. The claimants, on the other hand, set up substantive rights and seek to have it decided in these suits whether the funds are enemy property in fact and whether they have not the right to detain them. Strictly possessory actions still survive in the laws of some states, and have been upheld, leaving the party claiming title to a subsequent suit. Grant Timber & Manufacturing Co. v. Gray, 236 U. S. 133. There can be no doubt that Congress has power to provide for an immediate seizure in war times of property supposed to belong to the enemy, as it could provide for an attachment or distraint if adequate provision is made for a return in case of mistake. As it can authorize a seizure in pais, it can authorize one through the help of a court. The only questions are whether it has done so as supposed by the libellant, and, if so, whether the conditions imposed by the act have been performed.

References: § 5
 § 9
 § 7
 v. 
 § 9
 § 12
 v.