Source: https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/251/57/
Timestamp: 2019-04-23 16:50:25+00:00

Document:
The necessity or expediency of taking property for public use are legislative questions upon which the owner is not entitled to a hearing under the due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. P. 251 U. S. 58.
When the amount of compensation is fixed in the first instance by viewers, due process does not demand an opportunity for a hearing before them if the owner be given notice and opportunity to have the matter fully heard and determined de novo in a court of general jurisdiction, on appeal, as is provided by the laws of Virginia in cases where earth is taken from private land for the repair of public roads. P. 251 U. S. 59.
Under the law of Virginia (Pollard's Code, 1904, § 944a, clauses 21, 22, 5; § 838), the owner of land from which earth is taken for repairing public roads can initiate the proceedings for assessment of compensation, and is entitled to have notice of the supervisors' determination of the amount, either by notice in writing or through being present when the decision is made, and he is allowed 30 days in which to appeal for a trial de novo in the Circuit Court. P. 251 U. S. 61.
Where adequate provision is made by a state for the certain payment of the compensation without unreasonable delay, the taking does not contravene due process of law merely because it precedes the ascertainment of what compensation is just. P. 251 U. S. 62.
By this suit the owner of land adjoining a public road in Virginia seeks an injunction against the taking of earth from his land to be used in repairing the road. The taking is from the most convenient and nearest place, where it will be attended by the least expense, and has the express sanction of a statute of the state, Pollard's Code, 1904, § 944a, clauses 21 and 22. [Footnote 1] Whether the statute denies to the owner the due process of law guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment is the federal question in the case. It was duly presented in the state court, and, while no opinion was delivered, the record makes it plain that, by the judgment rendered, the court resolved the question in favor of the validity of the statute.
It is conceded that the taking is under the direction of public officers and is for a public use; also that adequate provision is made for the payment of such compensation as may be awarded. Hence, no discussion of these matters is required. The objection urged against the statute is that it makes no provision for affording the owner an opportunity to be heard respecting the necessity or expediency of the taking or the compensation to be paid.
Backus v. Fort Street Union Depot Co., 169 U. S. 557, 169 U. S. 568; Adirondack Ry. Co. v. New York, 176 U. S. 335, 176 U. S. 349; Sears v. Akron, 246 U. S. 242, 246 U. S. 251.
But it is essential to due process that the mode of determining the compensation be such as to afford the owner an opportunity to be heard. Among several admissible modes is that of causing the amount to be assessed by viewers, subject to an appeal to a court carrying with it a right to have the matter determined upon a full trial. United States v. Jones, 109 U. S. 513, 109 U. S. 519; Backus v. Fort Street Union Depot Co., supra, p. 169 U. S. 569. And where this mode is adopted, due process does not require that a hearing before the viewers be afforded, but is satisfied by the full hearing that may be obtained by exercising the right to appeal. Lent v. Tillson, 140 U. S. 316, 140 U. S. 326 et seq.; Winona & St. Peter Land Co. v. Minnesota, 159 U. S. 526, 159 U. S. 537; Wells Fargo & Co. v. Nevada, 248 U. S. 165, 248 U. S. 168. And see Capital Traction Co. v. Hof, 174 U. S. 1, 174 U. S. 18-30, 174 U. S. 45.
shall accordingly ascertain such compensation and report the same to the board of supervisors. Said board may allow the full amount so agreed upon, or reported by said freeholders, or so much thereof as upon investigation they may deem reasonable, subject to such owner or tenant's right of appeal to the circuit court as in other cases."
The same statute, in clause 5, deals with the compensation to be paid for lands taken for roadways, and in that connection provides that the proprietor or tenant, if dissatisfied with the amount allowed by the supervisors, "may of right appeal to the circuit court of said county, and the said court shall hear the matter de novo" and determine and certify the amount to be paid. And a general statute (§ 838) which regulates the time and mode of taking appeals from decisions of the supervisors disallowing claims in whole or in part provides that the claimant, if present when the decision is made, may appeal to the circuit court within thirty days thereafter, and, if not present, shall be notified in writing by the clerk and may appeal within thirty days after service of the notice.
hearing, before the compensation is finally determined and when the right thereto can be effectively asserted and protected, satisfies the demand of due process.
Under the statute, the proceedings looking to an assessment may be initiated by the owner as well as by the road officers. Either may apply to a justice for the appointment of viewers. Thus, the owner is free to act promptly and upon his own motion, if he chooses.
statute provides that the claimant, if not present when the supervisors' decision is made, shall be notified thereof in writing and shall have thirty days after such notice within which to appeal. If he be present when the decision is made, he is regarded as receiving notice at that time, and the thirty days for taking an appeal begins to run at once. It is apparent, therefore, that special care is taken to afford him ample opportunity to appeal, and thereby to obtain a full hearing in the circuit court.
The claim is made that this opportunity comes after the taking, and therefore is too late. But it is settled by the decisions of this Court that, where adequate provision is made for the certain payment of the compensation without unreasonable delay, the taking does not contravene due process of law in the sense of the Fourteenth Amendment merely because it precedes the ascertainment of what compensation is just. Sweet v. Rechel, 159 U. S. 380, 159 U. S. 402, 159 U. S. 407; Backus v. Fort Street Union Depot Co., 169 U. S. 557, 169 U. S. 568; Williams v. Parker, 188 U. S. 491; Crozier v. Krupp, 224 U. S. 290, 224 U. S. 306. And see Branson v. Gee, 25 Or. 462. As before indicated, it is not questioned that such adequate provision for payment is made in this instance.
We conclude that the objections urged against the validity of the statute are not well taken.
Other enactments of March 12, 1912, c. 151; March 21, 1914, c. 174, and March 17, 1916, c. 279, make the statute specially applicable here, but they require no particular attention.
" . . . that they will faithfully and impartially discharge their duty as viewers."

References: § 944
 § 838
 § 944
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v.