Document: 387 U.S. 556 87 S.Ct. 1746 18 L.Ed.2d 954 The DENVER AND RIO GRANDE WESTERN RAILROAD CO., Petitioner,v.BROTHERHOOD OF TRAINMEN et al. No. 794. Argued April 19, 1967. Decided June 5, Martin M. Lucente, Chicago, Ill., for petitioner. James L. Highsaw, Jr., Washington, D.C., respondents. Mr. Justice WHITE delivered the opinion of Court. 1 question here concerns proper venue a suit against labor union, an unincorporated association, under 28 U.S.C. § 1391(b), which at time this action was brought read as follows: 'A civil wherein jurisdiction is not founded solely on diversity citizenship may be only in judicial district where all defendants reside, except otherwise provided by law.' 2 In December 1959 and January 1960, National Railroad Adjustment Board issued monetary awards favor certain members respondent union their claims breach collective bargaining contracts between petitioner, Denver & Rio Grande Western Company. railroad refused to honor awards, struck enforce them strike permanently enjoinedby District 185 F.Supp. 369, aff'd, 10 Cir., 290 F.2d 266, cert. denied, 366 966, 81 1925, 6 1256. then sued damages United States Court Colorado, also joining R. E. Carroll, chairman union's General Grievance Committee property chairmen various local lodges union. complaint alleged that had breached duties Railway Labor Act, 44 Stat. 577, amended, 45 151 seq. overruled motion dismiss improper venue, held illegal because failed exhaust its statutory remedies awarded based railroad's loss traffic caused strike. judgment ran both case other being dismissed failure proof. Appeals, 367 137, reversed, holding could 1391(b) residence Colorado.1 Because seeming conflict with Rutland Co. v. Brotherhood Locomotive Eng'rs, 307 21, we granted certiorari. 385 1000, 719, 17 541. We reverse. 3 Section general statute governing transitory causes federal courts does depend wholly citizenship. Following amendment 1966, 80 1111, section permits either reside or claim arose. At brought, however, lay defendant's residence, been since 1887. 24 552, corrected 25 433 (1888). Thus almost years federal-question cases limited whether defendant individual, corporation, association such respondent. During time, down including 1966 amendment, Congress has expressly defined purposes statute. same true respect corporations until 1948 when directed corporation 'in it incorporated licensed do business doing business, shall regarded purposes.' 1391(c). maintained silence, association. resolution issue, prior 1948, left courts. issue now first time. 4 Of course, becomes important if itself suable. common law, names liability enforced each member. This principle rejected Mine Workers America Coronado Coal Co., 259 344, 42 570, 66 L.Ed. 975, Court, recognizing growth pervasive influence organizations noting suability trade unions 'is primary importance working out justice protecting individuals society * *,' U.S., 390, S.Ct., 576, were suable funds accumulated subject execution suits tots committed during strikes. reflected Fed.Rule Civ.Proc. 17(b). 5 dealt capacity sued, but did legitimate suing entity. Although entity no independent jurisdiction, Steelworkers H. Bouligny, Inc., 382 145, 86 272, 15 217, relied upon Appeals here, think defendant, like capacity, should determined looking rather than individual members. Otherwise, would seem require are residents different States, 'resides' any State resides. alternative seems odds addition removes litigation from unnecessarily; second patently unfair remembered primarily matter convenience litigants witnesses. H.R.Rep. 1893, 89th Cong., 2d Sess., p. 2; U.S.Code Congressional Administrative News 3693. having concluded viewed must still ascertained, inquiry requiring examination congressional intent interests principles underlying limitations. Sperry Prods., Inc. Association American Railroads, 132 408, 145 A.L.R. 694, Second Circuit what said inhabit special patent suits, 109 (1940 ed.), 1400. That court thought treated corporation. Under decisions single purposes, incorporation. Likewise, considered place business. Neirbo Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corp., 308 165, 60 153, 84 167, already determined, corporations, while one nevertheless consented they And much producing definition corporate incorporation wherever 7 It can argued, does, intended expanded apply associations, have so. But even accepting this, association's remains unanswered. Saying intend 'change' law associations assumes settled meaning law. case. There construction there none yet. Nor anything indicate ever view associations. Rather respondent's position, simply correcting unacceptably narrow adopted courts, maintaining silence assumed aware all, i urely reasonable anticipated approach case, analogizing entities, continue followed so broadly Congress, similarly construe concept unincorpoated supra.2 8 most nearly approximates recognize reality multi-state, permit entity, analogous 'doing business.' recognized statute, 301(c) Management Relations 1947, 61 157, 29 185(c), provides actions governed Act maintains principal office duly authorized officers agents engaged representing acting employee enacted year before revision Judicial Code, mention considerable indication desire, previous 'residence' used provision confine located. Moreover, standpoint parties witnesses, little merit covered anywhere responsible representatives take concrete yet hold similar conduct parallel need concerned, possible effects scope these circumstances, create distinction without some positive lead face sound policy considerations contrary unjustified. 9 therefore conclude improperly applied brought. instead agreed question, light present form section, is, amended November 2, ditr ict change substantive applicable lawsuit. procedural. Absent indications absent procedural prejudice party, 1391 suit. See Alabama, 362 602, 924, 982; Ex parte Collett, 337 55, 69 944, 959, 93 1207; Steel Foundries Tri-City Central Trades Council, 257 184, 201, 72, 75, 189; Pruess Udall, 123 U.S.App.D.C. 301, 359 615. As applying 1404(a) pending actions, 'No vested right given mode procedure'. 71, 953. event, decision below affirmed, petitioner reinstitute seek benefits current version 1391, barrier not, intimate views 'arose' Colorado. opinion, Colorado instituted. Reversed remanded. 11 BLACK, whom DOUGLAS FORTAS, join, dissenting. 12 Trainmen Brotherhood's went Brotherhood, headquarters Cleveland, Ohio, filed ground venue. denied motion, after trial jury, gave $37,988 reversed. 137. 1391(b),1 I affirm holding. 13 Corp. 372 954, 83 949, 978, Code predecessor 1391(b),2 express made pre-existing expansion 1391(c).3 Nevertheless, reasoned policies treating that, though language 1391(c) applies implicitly concepts determining 1391(b). 14 For myself cannot draw inference amendments Sections (c) part designed comprehensively cover rules procedure, reference whatever sections legislative history, far determine, us infer thus changing judicially established rule Though recognizes 'Congress association', approves 'sound considerations' 'most Congress.' reaching result, adopts reasoning approved assimilating treatment process assimilation advocated Judge Learned Hand 319 744, 63 1031, 1700. where, provisions infringement suit,4 deemed 'inhabitant.' own name right, served 17(b), should, aggregate individuals.5 'inhabitant' located—precisely advanced reasons, those today, inhabitant within Hand's reasoning, his holding, uses find many objections here. First, assuming enacting general, distinguished patent, rules6 (an assumption completely unfounded), doubtful saying so, reject case—that business—but sme adopt reasoning—dicta effect Second, comes Professor Moore, who participated drafting 1949 wrote: 16 'Sperry Products, Railroads took position 'inhabitant,' i.e., resident, doctrine partnership *. changed doctrines.'7 Third, clearly problems involved Just before, relation agreements8 explicitly '(1) organization office, (2) members.' consistent idea Congress' total provide kinds neither inadvertent nor meant cured implication. Whether 'little' 'merit' 49 449, Finally, lower divided business.9 things, impute unarticulated make precisely 19 Neither history throws presented final analysis public policy. Reasons logically expanding include districts engage just strong reasons relating litigants, quite power adjudicate, 167—168, 154—155, more constitutional leeway deal pose weighed Olberding Illinois 346 338, 340, 74 83, 85, 98 39: 'The requirement specific unambiguous; vague which, interest overriding policy, 'liberal' construction.' oversteps boundaries choose corporations. leave decides policy.10 20 Appeals. reversed damage award concluding Carroll question. disturb factual determination Carroll's admittedly Other Cases restricting Firemen Enginemen Graham, 678 69, n. 175 802, 804, rev'd grounds, 338 232, 70 14, 94 22; McNutt Gas, Coke Chem. Workers, 108 871, 875; Salvant Louisville N.R. 391, 396; Westinghouse Elec. Radio Mach. 92 841, aff'd discussion, 194 770; Cherico R.R. Trainmen, 167 635, 637—638; cf. Hadden Small, (partnership). business: Portsmouth Baseball Frick, 922; Eastern Motor Express Espenshade, 138 426, 432; Airlines, Air Line Pilots Assn., 169 777, 781—783; R E Dental Supply Ritter 812; Joscar Consolidated Sun Ray, 212 634. 1391(b): 36 1101, 51, 112 'no person whereof he *.' 1391(c): 1100, 48, inhabitant, acts regular None suggested depends member, agree Court's residence. problem locate After extended pre-1948 (see 3, supra). Compare 67, 22, Griffin Cent. 88 555, Thermoid Rubber 228, 233—234. Commentary 193 (1949). Now, protection abuse contained transfer multi-state nature associations' activities, Moore believes taken 'desirable.' Federal Practice 0.142(5. 4), 1508. Comment, Calif.L.Rev. 130 (1956); Note, 39 St. John's L.Rev. 353, 358—360 (1965); Okla.L.Rev. 206 (1960); Geo.L.Rev. (1956). see Kaplan, Suits Against Unincorporated Associations Rules Civil Procedure, 53 Mich.L.Rev. 945, 949—950 (1955); Stan.L.Rev. 708 245, 80th 1st 108—109 (1947); S.Rep. 105, 15—18 (1947). supra, U.S.App.D.C., F.2d, 804; 842, 35 , Express, Since one, dissent remanded propriety amendment.

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