Document: 338 U.S. 226 70 S.Ct. 22 94 L.Ed. 13 ROTH, Attorney General of Michican,v.DELANO, Comptroller Currency the United States et al. No. 24. Argued Oct. 24, 1949. Decided Nov. 7, Messrs. Julius H. Amberg, Grand Rapids, Mich., Archie C. Fraser, Detroit, for appellant. Mr. Stanley M. Silverberg, Washington, D.C., appellee. Justice JACKSON delivered opinion Court. 1 The First National Bank—Detroit, closed its doors in 1933 and, liquidation, dividends on proved claims, small average but large aggregate, have remained some years hands federal liquidators, unclaimed by their owners. Since this national banking institution was located State Michigan, Attorneys that made persistent efforts at different stages liquidation to establish a right escheat dividends. Latest these action, brought against States1 and Receiver declaratory judgment Michigan discoery statute (Michigan Compiled Laws, 1929, Mason's 1940 Supp. c. 263), as amended known Act 170, Public Acts 1941, applies claims duly liquidation. Court Appeals held state ineffective 'an unlawful interference with bank upon same principles authority fully discussed our previous opinions.' If affirmed District dismissing action 'on merits', adopting 'settled doctrine' own prior adjudications. 170 F.2d 966, 967. However, recourse opinions creates doubt whether has be invalid conflict Constitution laws or inapplicable intendment Legislature. A review cited cases will expose cause uncertainty. 2 In Starr v. O'Connor, 6 Cir., 118 548, then Circuit reviewed statutes force, which did not include here involved, them applicable unconstitutional under decision Bank San Jose California, 262 366, 43 602, 67 1030. 3 Rushton Schram, 1944, 143 554, court considered amendment affected receivership stage said it must determine threshold should construed retroactive effect; is, applied commenced before passage. This, course, law question decided reference decisions. Act, light decisional law, apply retroactively. It is true there decisions show would raise serious constitutionality if were otherwise. But Anderson Luckett, 321 233, 64 599, 88 692, 151 A.L.R. 824, had intervened said, 'In fresh authority, we do say invoked prospective application, manner consistent statutes, constitute an bank. Discussion problem deemed inappropriate view conclusion consideration carries no effect present situation.' page 559. 4 561, day passed receiver's request declaration time validly he entitled recover back certain dormant deposit balances thereon already been paid over pursuant Act. 'unlawful interference' This holding but, considerations immunity from suit, refused allow recovery what over. 5 Now comes Black Delano—the case, Roth being substituted Black—6 1948, rests cases. supra, substance, does prohibit escheating deposits actively doing business therein, abandoned owners belonging missing persons. State, after reasonable lapse may lawfully administer such assets, benefit disappeared claimant owner period providing eventual escheat. through appointment personal representative, public administrator, utilizing officials. We mere putting itself, named officer, shoes take otherwise obliged disburse himself burden, obstruct frustrate going discharging functions. also bank's function result requirement make report property, any more than tangible property therein purposes taxation, nothing suggests disclosure function. seem too much ask possessed claimed subject taxing power, thereof designates. decent comity between governments. 7 Of basic general rights including enforcement might asserted time, means interfere orderly law; absent statute, assumption prevents specific involved clear recent supra. See Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance Co. Moore, 333 541, 68 682, 92 863. 8 Reiteration not, peculiarity operation go beyond unreasonable burden functions receiver. appropriate here. below rests, well may, earlier intended receiverships beginning enactment, hardly construction And further reason why now decide principal question. repealed 329, Laws 1947, reserving, however, repeal 'pending suit proceeding.' possible consequence new proceeding could maintained enforce Thus, render advisory And, cannot reservation, affirmation, confer us power impose duty opinion. 9 considerations, vacate remand consider foregoing 10 Judgment vacated. 11 DOUGLAS took part case. trial dismissed ground jurisdiction him pass contention necessary party.

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