Document: 364 U.S. 40 80 S.Ct. 1563 4 L.Ed.2d 1554 Cecil W. ARMSTRONG et al., Petitioners,v.UNITED STATES of America. No. 270. Argued March 28, 1960. Decided June 27 Mr. Burton R. Thorman, Washington, D.C., for petitioners. Samuel D. Slade, respondent. Justice BLACK delivered the opinion Court. 1 In this action petitioners assert materialmen's liens under state law materials furnished to a prime contractor building boats United States, and seek just compensation Fifth Amendment value their on accumulated uncompleted work which have been conveyed States. 2 The States entered into contract with Rice Shipbuilding Corporation construction 11 navy personnel boats. provided that in event default by Rice, Government could terminate require transfer title deliver all completed together manufacturing acquired Petitioners various use Upon Rice's default, exercised its option as 10 boat hulls still construction; executed an itemized 'Instrument Transfer Title' conveying then hand; removed these properties out-of-state naval ship-yards completion When occurred, had not paid they since. therefore contended Maine provides '(w)hoever furnishes labor or vessel has lien it therefor, may be enforced attachment thereof within days after is launched * *. He also before become part vessel, *.' Rev.Stat.1954, c. 178, § 13. 3 Claiming valid at time were transferred asserted Government's destroyed making them unenforceable constituted taking property without violation Amendment.1 Court Claims, relying v. Ansonia Brass & Copper Co., 218 452, 31 49, 54 L.Ed. 1107, held never there no any owned them. Ct.Cl., 169 F.Supp. 259. We granted certiorari. 361 812, 86, 60. I. Claims reached conclusion from correct premise laborers materialmen can acquire 'public work.' Use Hill American Surety 200 197, 203, 26 168, 170, 50 437; Equitable Co. McMillan Son, 234 448, 455, 34 803, 805, 58 1394; Munsey Trust 332 234, 241, 67 1599, 1602, 91 2022. It reasoned because between contemplated vessels would eventually vest Government, 'inchoate title' supplied petitioners, rendering such works' immune outset petitioners' liens. cannot agree mere prospect will later renders otherwise 5 sovereign's immunity against extended beyond actually it. case itself, upon relied, makes clear, here dealing one aspect issues involved, said: 6 'We are now right provide while chattel process remains builder, who constructing same view transferring therein acceptance government. treating owns. Such property, most obvious reasons public policy, seized authority another sovereignty consent government.' page 471, 54. 7 terms show conclusively when materials. agreement delivery, preliminary acceptance, final boats, remain responsible supplies until delivery. was required insure benefit only extent progress payments made Government. very clause invoked termination might 'require Contractor deliver' work, hand. (Emphasis added.) While obliged make based percentage completed, nothing ownership portion should On contrary, stipulated secured paramount government property. And finally, discharge immediately rem totality, provisions clearly recognize during performance private attach 8 think, therefore, error holding did. This, however, does end favor since urges other grounds support judgment. II. 9 gave compensable interests meaning Amendment. Under law, entitled furnish supplies; must subsequently supplies. There allegation taken steps work. Nevertheless, resort specific satisfaction claims. That virtue decided Louisville Joint Stock Land Bank Radford, 295 555, 55 854, 79 1593. case, bank mortgage enforceable suit foreclose. Subsequently, Congress amended Bankruptcy Act so deprive mortgagees substantial incidents rights mortgaged This bank's No reason suggested why nature regarded different, purpose, interest Radford case. suggests secure payments, claimed fact worthless. Petitioners, hand, argue chose rather than enforce lien, merged title, thus paramount, even if did not, th ir remained subordinate sufficient satisfy claims some well. need decide whether, matter 'merged' title. At least, prior whatever proceeds bring over above claim amount payments.2 By date expended $198,000, advanced about $141,000 payments. way knowing what brought sold, but said certainty more claim. Moreover, themselves able purchase realize satisfied. factors present difficult problem valuation, we say record valueless.3 12 seems suggest expressly requiring conveyance attached subject limitation. parties contract. Furthermore, operation indicates scope affected contractual arrangements owner entered. 13 conclude, considered III. 14 question whether 'taking' Before compelled future both unused furnished. lines After valid, State Alabama, 313 274, 281 282, 61 1011, 1013—1014, 85 1327, sovereign suit.4 result destruction liens, although, pointed out, value. contend circumstances 'taking.' denies this, largely inability 15 argues dispositive issue. shipbuilder provided, ships contracted for, dredge Benyuard, made, Subcontractors Virginia supply-lien law. merely that, passed contract, raised possessed subcontractors acquisition nor is, sure, believe subcontractors' like those here, soon furnished, necessarily payment incorporating consequent passage See Hawes Wm. Trigg 110 Va. 165, 185—186, 199, 65 S.E. 538, 546—547, 551—552. But upon. regard court's decision precise point consideration, proceed question.5 16 hold due true every injury governmental constitutional sense. Omnia Commercial 261 502, 508—510, 43 437, 438, 773. many others reveal difficulty trying draw line destructions lawful actions 'takings' 'consequential' compensable. See, e.g., Central Eureka Mining 357 155, 78 1097, 1228; Causby, 328 256, 66 1062, 90 1206; General Motors Corp., 323 373, 357, 89 311; Sponenbarger, 308 60 225, 84 230; Pennsylvania Coal Mahon, 260 393, 158, 322; Nashville Mottley, 219 467, 265, 297; Legal Tender Cases, Wall. 457, 551, 20 287. 17 total constitute possible element 'consequential incidence' regulatory measure. destroyed, lienholders admittedly Immediately afterwards, none. vanished thin air. own advantage something do suit, purchaser done. Since use, however accomplished, intent purpose extinguishing destroy hem thereby take Neither boats' immunity, being enforcement relieves obligation pay lost loss direct, positive beneficiary. 18 Amendment's guarantee shall designed bar forcing people alone bear burdens which, fairness justice, borne whole. A fair interpretation protection entitles here. Cf. Thibodo Cir., 187 F.2d 249. 19 judgment reversed cause remanded further proceedings determine taken. Reversed remanded. 21 STEWART concurs result. 22 HARLAN, whom FRANKFURTER CLARK join, dissenting. 23 I represented liable interests. readily does, simply 'destroyed' 24 As concedes, act ultimately destroys constitutes rights. situation condemned full fee purporting extinguish therein. well 249; cf. 377—378, 359, 311. instance, power eminent domain liens; indeed all. All done exercise undoubted effect render independent principle immunity. doctrine precludes regarding interposition me having established declares exercising it, effectively negativing 25 affirm. relevant provides, '* compensation.' additional approximating.$146,000 representing excess cost provide, allegation, Questions determined summary stated 42 U.S., 1565 S.Ct., supra. 1107; 2022 Siren, 152, 129; Minnesota 305 382, 59 292, 83 235; 1327. cites Mullen Benevolent Corp. 290 89, 38, 192. facts there, revealed existing land said, 'None land, purchases consummated,' 95, 41.

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