Document: 345 U.S. 648 73 S.Ct. 914 97 L.Ed. 1319 LEVINSON et al.v.DEUPREE al. No. 439. Argued Feb. 5 and 6, 1953. Decided June 1, Mr. Charles E. Lester, Jr., Newport, Ky., for petitioners. Robert S. Marx, Cincinnati, Ohio, respondent. Justice FRANKFURTER delivered the opinion of Court. 1 Katherine Wing New York was killed in a collision between two motorboats on Ohio River within Campbell County, Kentucky, 19, 1948. On December 7, 1948, Deupree appointed ancillary administrator Wing's estate by County Court Kenton same day he filed United States District Eastern Kentucky libel seeking to recover damages her death from petitioners Levinson Hall, owners operators boats which had collided. The alleged Deupree's appointment as administrator. March 3, 1949, answered with general denial. July having moved an order requiring provide security costs, 'affidavit leave sue forma pauperis.' This affidavit stated that 'decedent possessed no out costs or expenses herein can be paid therefor given.' special demurrer putting issue capacity sue, ground county where there is void. Jewel Tea Co. v. Walker's Administrator, 290 Ky. 328, 331, 161 S.W.2d 66, 68. thereupon obtained another administrator, this time wher cause action wrongful death, itself estate, its locus. 29, motion amend his alleging new appointment. To amended libel, petitioners, September 9, entered demurrer. 2 sustained both demurrers. It held adminisrator void 'cannot relate back inception proceeding.' claim set court held, therefore barred one-year statute limitations, dismissed. 3 Appeals agreed under law defective, although it existence alone sufficient, support hence valid. also barred. But, matter, not controlling. And reversed remanded trial. 6 Cir., 186 F.2d 297. We denied petition certiorari review judgment, 341 915, 71 736, 95 1351, but, after decree been awarded affirmed, 199 760, we granted present petition. 344 903, 284. Although issue, embedded peculiarities law, now seen narrow one, appeared us at first involved broader more important question binding force local federal admiralty courts administering remedies created law. 4 maritime does allow recovery death. Harrisburg, 119 199, 7 140, 30 358; Butler Boston & Savannah Steamship Co., 130 527, 555, 9 612, 618, 32 1017. In 1920, Congress adopted Lord Campbell's Act restricted deaths high seas, 41 Stat. 537 seq., 46 U.S.C. § 761 U.S.C.A. seq. further alleviation have 'where * results tort committed navigable waters state whose statutes give right account act, will entertain personam those whom such Western Fuel Garcia, 257 233, 242, 42 89, 90, 66 210. Like Garcia suit, brought State statute. Ky.Rev.Stat.1946, 411.130. As limitation deemed attached forum. supra, page 214, 147. Similarly, when statute, case, vests 'the personal representative decedent,' forum provided jurisdiction vest elsewhere; must look determine meaning phrase 'personal representative.' But here whether forum, accepting enforcing limited scope given it, bound dubious perhaps conflicting intimations elegantia juris found decisions, whether, is, imprisoned procedural niceties relating amendments pleadings. heard suit sitting admiralty. Its did derive diversity citizenship; indeed diversity. Erie R. Tompkins, 304 64, 58 817, 82 1188, irrelevant. case 'in effect, only State,' Guaranty Trust York, 326 99, 108, 65 1464, 1469, 89 2079. reasons why controlled limitations definition representative' are quite different. enforced obligatio because sits responds desirability uniformity administration justice State. absence congressional action, would one originating any foreign jurisdiction. La Bourgogne, 210 95, 138, 28 664, 679, 52 973; Hamilton, 207 398, 405, 133, 134, 264. enforce but beyond strive originated obligatio. Even cases, 'a enforceable well court,' 'another recognized forms mode may times, naturally enough, vary judicial systems identic.' 1469. Whether, if were consider dealing 'forms modes' matters seriously affecting enforcement right, clear integral part Kentucky. hold practice controls holding effective should permitted so allege appointment, applicable bar suit. do so. Rule 23, Rules Practice Admiralty Maritime Cases, U.S.C.A.; cf. Central H.R.R. Kinney, 260 340, 346, 43 122, 123, 67 294. Affirmed.

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