Document: 329 U.S. 585 67 S.Ct. 398 91 L.Ed. 521 UNITED STATESv.THAYER-WEST POINT HOTEL CO. No. 106. Argued Dec. 20, 1946. Decided Jan. 1947. Mr. Oscar H. Davis, of Washington, D.C., for petitioner. Mr.E. J. Ellenwood, New York City, respondent. Justice MURPHY delivered the opinion Court. 1 The decision here turns upon power Court Claims, in light § 177(a) Judicial Code,1 to include interest its award 'just compensation' a lessee construction hotel and other buildings pursuant provisions Act March 30, 1920.2 2 act 1920, authorizes Secretary War lease land on United States Military Reservation at West Point, N.Y., any person term not exceeding 50 years which erect necessary connection therewith. is contain such conditions, terms, reservations covenants as may be agreed provide 'for just compensation lessees said hotel, appurtenances, equipments, paid termination lease.' 3 On October 17, 1924, duly made under this one Williams period years. provided, among things, that it might cancelled time by if should fail observe all conditions lease. One was 'keep open business every day during continuance lease, except times permission close given writing Superintendent, U.S.M.A.' Upon cancellation appurtenances equipment, title thereto pass once States. Similar were with expiration 50-year term. also set forth numerous restrictions requirements operation hotel—such being primarily benefit Academy. 4 assigned corporation subsequently erected. Through series events need detailed here, respondent took over leasehold properties 1930 approval Superintendent Respondent began operating January 1, 1931, continued terms until 10, 1943. 5 5, 1943, wrote then existing impossible avoid curtailment operations or closing down 'the owned operated Government.' It accordingly suggested declare forfeited respondent, default contemplated proposal. gave notice intention morning agents immediately possession, management 10 shortly thereafter declared annulled. 6 parties unable agree amount due brought suit praying judgment sum $1,932.000. That court found 'total plaintiff therefore $867,682, 1943.' 64 F.Supp. 565, 568. added rate 4% per annum from date payment 'additional allowance make payment.' sole question before us concerns propriety adding 7 pertinent part Code provides 'No shall allowed claim up rendition unless contract expressly stipulating phyment interest, * *.' Section thus embodies traditional rule cannot recovered against unpaid accounts claims absence an express provision contrary relevant statute contract. Tillson v. States, 100 43, 47, 25 543; North American Transportation & Trading Co., 253 336, 40 518, 521, 935; Goltra, 312 203, 207, 61 487, 490, 85 776. This inapplicable, however, where takes property eminent domain; cases has consistently been held Fifth Amendment's reference entitles owner receive taking his compensation. Seaboard Air Line Ry. Co. 261 299, 306, 43 354, 356, 664; Brooks-Scanlon Corporation 265 106, 123, 44 471, 474, 68 934; Phelps 274 341, 344, 47 611, 612, 71 1083. 8 Since clear instant case did exercise domain there no legal sense, we can put side situation. There nothing more than ordinary contractual relationship between voluntarily entered into respondent's predecessor severed suggestion. Government's liability pay fixed Constitution. issue becomes whether permitting recovery circumstances. Only 177(a). 9 Respondent's respect rests references equipment. 'Just compensation,' said, same meaning domain, thereby entitling full value payment. From viewpoint, Claims could use measure when Government possession component conclusion reached used constitutes so bar removed. We agree. fact includes setting does necessarily mean must scope situations. supra. imply obligation interest. For example, conceivably refers compensatory damages tort breach contract, price exchange sale future date. Hence, constitutional connotations, art far concerned. inclusion exclusion depends provisions, circumstances surrounding 11 But order override historical codified 177(a), something equivocal compensation.' enough construed As itself indicates, 'expressly interest.' affirmative, clear-cut, unambiguous; unexpressed insufficient. Likewise, relied overcome force Congress permit rec very specifically statute. supra, page 46, ex rel. Angarica de la Rua Bayard, 127 251, 260, 1156, 1160, 1161, 32 159. Mere without more, substitute 12 Here neither nor contains either addition If had desired would have easy terms.3 Because say so, are led irresistibly intend negative effect instance. 13 reverse extent 14 Reversed. 28 U.S.C. 284(a), U.S.C.A. 284(a). 41 Stat. 538, 548. provided instances. See Code, 177(b), 284(b), 284(b); Contract Settlement 1944, 58 649, 654, 6(f), U.S.C., Supp. V. 106(f), 106(f).

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