Case Name: SVENSKA AMERIKA LINIEN v. ELTING, Collector of Customs
Court: United States District Court for the Southern District of New York
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 1929-05-23
Citations: 46 F.2d 178
Docket Number: 
Parties: SVENSKA AMERIKA LINIEN v. ELTING, Collector of Customs.
Judges: 
Reporter: Federal Reporter 2d Series
Volume: 46
Pages: 178–179

Head Matter:
SVENSKA AMERIKA LINIEN v. ELTING, Collector of Customs.
District Court, S. D. New York.
May 23, 1929.
Verdict directed in favor of plaintiff.
Wood, Molloy & France, of New York City, for plaintiff.
United States Attorney, for defendant,

Opinion:
THACHER, District Judge.
Defendant justifies retention of plaintiff's money under section 16 (c) of the Immigration Act of 1924 (8 USCA § 216), but under this section the Secretary was required to find erlher knowledge of or failure to exercise reasonable diligence to ascertain a fact, U. S. v. Compagnie Generale Transatlantique (C. C. A.) 26 F.(2d) 195, which was unknown and not discoverable until after the alien had been transported to this country, Compagnie Francaise de Navigation a Vapeur v. Elting (C. C. A.) 19 F.(2d) 773. From this it follows that his finding was arbitrary, and plaintiff is entitled to-recover.
Verdict is accordingly directed in favor of plaintiff for the sum of $3,461.22.