Document: 360 U.S. 25 79 S.Ct. 1070 3 L.Ed.2d 1058 LOUISIANA POWER & LIGHT COMPANY, Petitioner,v.CITY OF THIBODAUX. No. 398. Argued April 2, 1959. Decided June 8, Mr. J. Raburn Monroe, New Orleans, La., for petitioner. Louis Fenner Claiborne, respondent. Justice FRANKFURTER delivered the opinion of Court. 1 The City Thibodaux, Louisiana, filed a petition expropriation in one Louisiana District Courts, asserting taking land, buildings, and equipment petitioner Power Light Company. Petitioner, Florida corporation, removed case to United States Court Eastern on basis diversity citizenship. After pre-trial conference which various aspects were discussed, district judge, his own motion, ordered that 'Further proceedings herein, therefore, will be stayed until Supreme has been afforded an opportunity interpret Act 111 1900 (LSA—R.S. 19:101 et seq.),' authority city's order was based. 153 F.Supp. 515, 517—518. Appeals Fifth Circuit reversed, holding procedure adopted by judge not available proceeding, any event no exceptional circumstances present justify even if available. 255 F.2d 774. We granted certiorari, 358 893, 154, 120, because importance question judicial enforcement power eminent domain under jurisdiction.1 2 In connection with first decision closely divided considered upheld jurisdiction over proceeding federal courts citizenship, Madisonville Traction Co. v. St. Bernard Mining Co., 196 239, 257, 251, 258, 49 L.Ed. 462, Holmes made following observation: 'The fundamental fact is prerogative state, hand, may exercised way state thinks fit, and, other, except confers.' 4 While this said dissenting opinion, distinction between ordinary cases, though found insufficient restrict jurisdiction, remains relevant important consideration appropriate administration such actions courts. 5 have increasingly recognized wisdom staying pending determination court decisive issues law. Thus Railroad Commission Texas Pullman 312 496, 499, 61 643, 644, 85 971, it said: 6 'Had we or they (the lower judges) choice matter but decide what law should hesitate long before rejecting their forecast But how seasoned judgment be, cannot escape being rather than determination.' 7 On other held mere difficulty does court's relinquishment favor action. Meredith Winter Chicago Fieldcrest Dairies, 88 9.2 where issue touched upon relationship State, Fieldcreat Inc., 316 168, 62 986, 86 1355, involved scope previously uninterpreted statute which, applicable, questionable constitutionality, Leiter Minerals, States, 352 220, 229, 77 287, 292, 267, required merely sanctioned exercise discretionary power, stay submission determination. 8 These prior cases equity, did apply technical rule equity procedure. They reflect deeper policy derived from our federalism. drawn discretion chancellor decline part all brought him. See supra. Although deemed certain purposes legal classification 'suit at common law,' Kohl 91 367, 375—376, 23 449, special peculiar nature. set forth differentiating characteristic domain: intimately sovereign prerogative. And when, as here, condemn challenged, further aspect sovereignty introduced. A nature extent delegation concerns apportionment governmental powers State. normally turn legislation much local variation interpreted n l ocal settings. considerations prevailed conventional suits avoiding hazards serious disruption government needless friction authorities are similarly in, to, court. 9 justifies when familiarity problems so counsels him, ascertain meaning disputed only tribunal empowered speak definitively—the State whose sought exercised—rather himself make dubious tentative forecast. This course constitute abnegation duty. contrary, wise productive discharge it. There postponement its best fruition. Eventually award compensation sustained. If some reason declaratory promptly obtained within reasonable time, Court, having retained complete control litigation, doubtless assert also statute. justification indicated limits, lies regard respective competence systems maintenance harmonious federal-state relations close political interests 10 It would imply unworthy conception judiciary give weight suggestion acknowledgment tempt otiose timid shuffle off responsibility. 'Such apprehension implies lack discipline disinterestedness courts, hardly worthy fashioning rules procedure.' Kerotest Mfg. C—O—Two Fire Equipment 342 180, 185, 72 219, 222, 96 200. Procedures effective presuppose composed judges well-equipped sturdy character whom safely vested, already, wide range discretion, subject review appeal. 11 light these considerations, immediate situation quickly falls into place. providing motion case, experienced responding sensible quandary about Thibodaux he placed Attorney General concluded strikingly similar city here claimed City. apparently seems grant power. never interpreted, respect like time authoritative less meets outsider's eye. Informed find discernible outsider. consequence allowing come pass construed construe it, whereas rights litigants thereafter governed quite different ours. 12 Caught language old pronouncement determined solve conscientious perplexity directing utilization resources prompt ascertainment through interpretation could controlling—the Louisiana. thus exercising fair well-considered institution action subsequent dcis ion 13 reversed reinstated. assume both parties cooperate steps secure declatory Declaratory Judgment Act, La.Rev.Stat., 1950, Tit. 13, §§ 4231—4246, L.S.A., By retaining course, reserves take necessary just disposition litigation anything prevent 14 Reversed. 15 16 STEWART, concurring. 17 effort do justice deferred adjudication controversy clarification controlling highly doubtful meaning. Under presented, I think pursued clearly Court's allowable discretion. For concur judgment. 18 totally unlike County Allegheny Frank Mashuda 1060, coincidence involve proceedings. holds error dismiss complaint. that, since clear factual need resolved, there occasion interest refrain adjudication. 19 BRENNAN, CHIEF JUSTICE DOUGLAS join, dissenting. 20 Until today, standards testing sending might reasonably consistent imperative duty imposed Congress 28 U.S.C. 1332 1441, U.S.C.A. 1332, render citizens States. To suitors out passes beyond disrespect plain disregard doctrine abstention, proper perspective, extraordinary narrow exception duty, abdication obligation can justified repair serve two countervailing interests: either avoidance premature perhaps unnecessary constitutional question, hazard unsettling delicate balance area relationships. 21 provided now very corridor questions properly invoked. abstention originated courts' avoid, possible, question. 971. hand while resolved injunction restrain administrative body ground authorized violative Federal Constitution. reasoned avoided 'the adjudication.' page 500, 645. Numerous decisions then dcid ing involving moot put posture. See, e.g., Meridian Southern Bell Tel. 639, 455, 562; Government Civic Employees Organizing Committee Windsor, 353 364, 838, 894; 267; Albertson Millard, 345 242, 73 600, 97 983; Shipman Du Pre, 339 321, 70 640, 94 877; Stainback Mo Hock Ke Lok Po, 336 368, 69 606, 93 741; American Federation Labor Watson, 327 582, 66 761, 90 873; Alabama Labor, etc. McAdory, 325 450, 65 1384, 89 1725; Spector Motor Service, McLaughlin, 323 101, 152, 101; 1355.1 Abstention grounds comity States—to avoid result 'needless policies.' 645, disrupt process, Burford Sun Oil 319 315, 63 1098, 87 1424; Commonwealth Pennsylvania Williams, 294 176, 55 380, 841, interfere collection taxes, Toomer Witsell, 334 385, 392, 68 1156, 1160, 92 1460; Great Lakes Dredge Dock Huffman, 293, 1070, 1407, otherwise create unnecessarily enjoining officials executing domestic policies, Public Service R. 341 341, 71 762, 95 1002; Hawks Hamill, 288 52, 53 240, 610. 22 neither situations justifying us. lurk background patently frivolous Appeals, nor considers passing reference. Company's contention Constitution property violate Due Process Impairment Obligation Contract Clauses, Const. Amend. 14; Art. 1, § 10, paid taken operated company franchise Parish confirmed claim utterly without substance. Long Island Water-Supply Brooklyn, 166 685, 718, 41 1165; West River Bridge Dix, How. 507, 535. Certainly failure jurisdiction. hold contrary mean party defeat adversary's right simply alleging issue. Furthermore, served therefore turns purported existence stating bald conclusion that: byfed eral court.' slightest indispensable ingredient upholding comity, approved ground. First all, asked injunctive relief prohibit acting. involves law,2 initiated 1441. Clearly itself seeking law, entail suit another enjoin Secondly, potential results applies paramount strike down Aside raised Company, adjudicating applying precisely Far disrupting policy, embodied statute, facts case. more possibility conflict negligence contract processes, frustrate execution policies. Quite reverse, process must follow carry State's expropriating private public uses. Finally, represented constituent organ urges adjudicate How, conceivably, responsibility interference desires adjudication? obvious convenience forgets, conferred benefit convenience.' Haven, 320 228, 234, 64 7, 11, 9. 24 my view, correctly considered, reversing shown semblance permitting abstention. standard utilized reviewing whether abused proceedings; had abstain deciding approach correct teaching delimit permissible situations. obviously wreak havoc ad hoc DistrictCou rt each particular Despite absence showing supports reference 'that state.'3 attempts carve new require questions, encouraged abnegate responsibilities cases. doing plainly responsible use precedent. cite heretofore ignores refused refer resulted affirmative prohibitions against carrying activities. Surely mystically 'sovereign prerogative' license motor vehicles, Atchison, T. S.F.R. 357 77, 78 1063, 1174, regulate fishing waters, 1460, intrastate trucking rates, Utilities California 355 534, 446, 470, host activities carried subdivisions Courts 9, landmark field, squarely today's holding. petitioners prohibiting Haven redeeming bonds paying charges them. statutes referendum, validly issued, recovery bondholders entitled receive. based solely irritant state-federal officials, incumbent perform am unable see distinction, far noninterference sovereignty, Haven's Florida's constitution deferred-interest Thibodaux's Louisiana's expropriate property. Since suggests adequate frankly announce overruled, reasonable.4 26 second place, omits mention many same kind Years experience conclusively demonstrated practice relations. 1060. despite lesson taught impossible show actual develop rests conclusive presumption domain.' war today orders explicable me reasons, articulated probably wholly untenable. 27 real 111, presents difficult true interpreting confusing construing running away task. 'Questions occur gladly avoid; All is, judgment, conscientiously duty.' Cohens Virginia, Wheat, 264, 404, 257. Difficult definitive answers arise every day throughout land. Chief Stone, settled 'But difficulties ascertaining hereafter determine themselves afford sufficient juisd iction decision. 29 convenience. Its purpose generally option, defined principle guiding conferred, warrant non-exercise, invoked, whenever rendition * When present, denial uncertain yet given highest thwart jurisdictional act.' pages 234—235, 11. 30 legion, Erie Tompkins, 304 64, 58 817, 82 1188, adjudicated easy, point times, often dissents urging decided Propper Clark, 337 472, 1333, 1480; Commissioner Internal Revenue Estate Church, 335 632, 322, 288; Spiegel Commissioner, 701, 301, 330; Williams Green Bay Western 326 549, 553—554, 284, 286, 311; Markham Allen, 490, 296, 256; Risty Chicago, R.I. P.R. 270 378, 46 236, 641; McClellan Carland, 217 268, 501, 54 762. 31 possible explaining reflects distaste certainly retreat roots inextricably intertwined system. stem III, Judiciary 1789, Stat. 73, 78.5 concede liveliness utility desirability stubbornly outlasted persistent attacks curtail eliminate it.6 speaks otherwise, controversies 'Whether sound theory, desirable unfairness juries, outsiders, ought relieved burden litigation,—these matters concern judge. those business legislate, mine.' 337, 1109, 1424 (dissenting opinion). 32 Not departed precedential action, encourages inefficiency leads delay, waste added expense parties. particularly stark truth instant lands Company purposes. privilege crucial empowers domain.7 Because rebuffed City's plea sustains go back court, originally City, escaped removing content sua sponte understandable longer property, enjoy possession Resolution authority, already delayed years due fault delayed, according estimate brief, minimum additional Even obtains favorable decision, suffer still delay comes amount damages finally dispose after prolonged considerable Moreover, will, another, conclude advisory opinion. avoided, been, performed ripe few months supporting presently reaching ultimately renders upholds prevents promptness elements justice.' Forsyth Hammond, 506, 513, 665, 668, 1095. One regret departure long-settled criteria governing richly fertilize strategy succeeded, dare say, past fondest expectation counsel who conceived especially unfortunate fashions opening wedge hard routine actions. 33 affirm Appeals. certiorari appealability order. writ eliminated limiting review. 120. decisively Here conversant who, troubled construction initiates measures securing unsettled (and response alleged attempt judge), jurisdictionally disabled that. surrendered At outset Stone stated issue: appeal rightly declined merits turned statutory left uncertainty.' 8. directed dismissed. denied get cloudy them, necessitates 1174; 470; 1460. Expropriation 376, 449. 462. rest relied That came shortly modified stae aw well mooted cast simple substance makes inapposite. dismissing retains However, significant remanding instructions retain issues, issues. perfectly difference dismissal, initially Neither ideas below. rested related invoked state-policy. discussion subject, Friendly, Historic Basis Diversity Jurisdiction, Harv.L.Rev. 483; Yntema Jaffin, Preliminary Analysis Concurrent U. Pa.L.Rev. 869, 873—876; Frank, Historical Judicial System, Law Contemp.Prob. 3, 28. 337—338, opinion); Hart Wechsler, 893—894. 101 Part III Title Revised Statutes LSA, provides pertinent part: 'Any municipal corporation electric light, gas, waterworks plant thought mayor council municipality. agree owner thereof purchase, throgh officers situated, describing purpose, detailed statement machinery, appurtenances, fixtures, improvements, mains, pipes, sewers, wires, lights, poles kind, connected therewith, praying described adjudged municipality payment value plus sustained expropriation. Where person water works plants, plant, plants owned person.'

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