Document: 347 U.S. 272 74 S.Ct. 481 98 L.Ed. 689 STATE OF ALABAMAv.STATE TEXAS et al. RHODE ISLAND v. LOUISIANA al.Nos. —-, Original. Argued Feb. 3 and 4, 1954. Decided March 15, Rehearing Denied April 26, See 950, 674. Messrs. William E. Powers, Providence, R.I., Ben Cohen, Washington, D.C., Si Garrett, Montgomery, Ala., Marx Leva, for complainants. Edmund G. Brown, San Francisco, John L. Madden, Monroe, La., Jesse P. Luton, Jr., Austin, Tex., Oscar H. Davis, defendants. PER CURIAM. 1 The motions leave to file these complaints are denied. Article IV, § 3, Cl. 2, United States Constitution. Gratiot, 14 Pet. 526, 537, 10 573: power of Congress dispose any kind property belonging the 'is vested in without limitation.' Midwest Oil Co., 236 459, 474, 35 309, 313, 59 673: "For it must be borne mind that not only has a legislative over public domain, but also exercises powers proprietor therein. 'may deal with such lands precisely as an ordinary individual may farming property. It sell or withhold them from sale.' Camfield States, 167 (518,) 524, 17 864, 42 260; Light 220 523, 536, 31 485, 55 (570) 574.' City County 310 16, 29—30, 60 749, 756, 84 1050: 'Article Section 2 Constitution provides 'The shall have Power make all needful Rules Regulations respecting Territory other Property States.' land thus entrusted is limitations. 'And courts say how trust administered. That determine." California, 332 19, 27, 67 1658, 1663, 91 1889: 'We said constitutional (under 2) limitation. 29, 30, 757, 1050.' THE CHIEF JUSTICE took no part consideration decision cases. Mr. Justice REED, concurring. 4 per curiam opinion cases bases its conclusion Submerged Lands Act 1953, Stat. 43 U.S.C.A. 1301 seq., on language Art. Constitution: States; * *.' I agree result. Neither Alabama nor Rhode Island questioned would question power, if applicability clause were accepted. 5 Those states, however, do accept quoted clause. their position resources under marginal sea not, State Texas, 339 707, 70 918, 94 1221; Louisiana, 699, 914, 1216, 1889, constitute either state. complainant states assert those held 'paramount rights' decreed by this Court arose sovereignty duty provide common defense. Further, they urge rights federal responsibility cede take away 'equal footing' among extending state into domain national responsibility. supra, at page 719, 924, Coyle Secretary Oklahoma, 221 559, 688, 853. 6 This court trial discussion points upon which rely. We heard complainants desire why think arguments extracted Court's ruling authorities same justify hearing. 7 fact defendant admitted Union 'on equal footing original respects whatever,' 701, 489, 742, 797, 9 452, does affect Congress' requirement demand wipe out diversities 'in economic aspects several States', calls 'parity political standing sovereignty.' 716, 922. one corresponding cession been consistently recognized. See, e.g., Wyoming, 335 895, 69 297, 93 431, cited Court. 8 While did hold express terms Louisiana California area belonged proprietor, 'the Federal Government rather than paramount belt, incident full dominion soil water area, including oil.' pages 38—39, 1668. right had unlimited it. If declared following belong ceded through subsequent 1953 clause: '(T)itle ownership beneath navigable waters within boundaries respective natural hereby recognized, confirmed, established, assigned s 3(a), 1311(a). If, hand, title remained states. Either Act, now use control undersea cannot, therefore, challenged ground lack here sovereign foster protect against foreign domestic enemies proprietorship Government, course, owes uplands, tidelands beds inland waters. Moreover, purports convey waters' expressly '(t)he retains navigational servitude regulation purposes commerce, navigation, defense, international affairs, to, deemed include, proprietary ownership, management, administration, leasing, use, development specifically others section Act.' 6(a), 1314(a). Surely provision negatives contention empowers alter historic relationship navigation ocean. Kelly 302 1, 58 87, 82 3; cf. Toomer Witsell, 334 385, 68 1156, 92 1460. 11 holds territory citizens sense, sense private trustee cestui que trust. utilize assets come hands way decides best future Nation. what done here. Such congressional determination legislation subject judicial review. 12 BLACK, dissenting. 13 asked challenge some indefeasible Gulf Mexico Atlantic Pacific Oceans. includes similar gift 'natural waters.' Some given three-mile strip ocean; about ten miles; most ocean all. receiving gifts claim even more. law makes claims 30 miles Mexico. said, borders project far 150 Gulf. can three see reason could later deny interest uncaptured resources. These whatever inseparable cannot irrevocably parcelled delegated individuals business groups. Admitting regulate capturing assets, unauthorized abdication essential sovereignty, so two urge, effect Act. true, subjection deprives theirs right. 1221. Court, summarily denies complaint. assume present clearly merit frivolous. am unable grant order case might considered usual manner. My reasons briefly stated. 15 Ocean highways world. They less because happen lap shores different nations border them. Freedom seas everywhere trade, travel communication nations. farflung activities frequently led conflict war. War 1812 bears witness this. In bordering our country, nowhere else, day-to-day complete, undivided, flexible, immediately available—is attribute sovereignty. construed substantially impaired, weakened made easily available times. But construing way. 16 Act's 'all right, States' immense areas though divided up sold like town lots. valid, grants 'proprietary resources' result favored how, when, extent raises serious difficult questions respect authority relinquish elements oceans. Once uncertain where lines drawn. today Commission Niagara Mohawk Corp., 239, 487, goes long toward partitioning running rivers America conceptualistic segments.1 Under likely pay large sums wishes rivers. DOUGLAS' dissent should warn us beware concept streams vast world.2 results my view bad enough. worse permit agencies clutter multitudinous wells derricks deeds leases timeconsuming lawsuits. All things suggest dangers depriving unhampered forget 'belongs nation, all.' Lord Steamship 102 541, 544, 26 224.3 18 give 'Territory States'. applies, unlimited. Congress, his property.' 518, 866, 260. Of authorizes will owns produce oil produced agents. difficulty believing granted exact tribute wants fish 'property' And trouble thinking treat oceans 'Territory' Constitution's meaning, deed thousands will? suppose permits create new least submerged govern rule disposed of. Would sustain Mississippi great country? decisions me doubt. 19 issues presented too grave doubtful assent closing doors more careful afforded. For there involved who gets oil. transferred substantial necessarily readily Nation's freedom seas—a keep peace friendship opportunity 20 DOUGLAS, 21 lost her beyond low mark six decision. 1889. Then came change membership; Texas four Only majority decided survive. therefore quite understandable earlier minority overrule decisions. stand, inconceivable we To tendered frivolous insubstantial. certainly said. 22 issue before lands, foreclosed entire point litigation was involved. As 'once low-water passed reached. then subordinated substance coalesce unite sovereign.' Any 'property interests' bed 'so follow 924. 23 Thus dealing incidents well; mass water; protective belt Nation exercise exclusive authority. abdicated Government. exercised benefit whole. BLACK aptly cases, 'In power—complete, 24 Could Columbia River mighty company? not. arteries commerce attach remain until unless changed. What true river seem obviously sea. artery buffer between form government, very nature government nondelegable. 25 interests chopped up, being ones keeping ones. rejected, precise example, Joint Resolution admitting precluded argument surrendered retained 716—720, 924—925. necessary surrender enter pray she get back still States? unresolved grievances Island. (and few States) obtain forbade retain. clause, words, prevents laying excluded. 719—720, Today 'inequality 27 justly complain. So States. Our sovereigns, none entitled preferment denied others. standard means nothing. powerful forces marshalled prior few. sound theory stand. suitable review, controversy. referred 'theoretical dominion', 'a qualified title,' bare technical title'. Scranton Wheeler, 179 141, 160, 163, 48, 56, 57, 45 126. Commodore Park, 324 386, 390, 65 803, 805, 89 1017. 36, 1667, purport reserve affairs. *' surely reserves nothing away. attempt government's ignore 'Navigation high character. matter 'external concern,' affecting nation external must, government.' 544.

Category: 9