Document: 352 U.S. 220 77 S.Ct. 287 1 L.Ed.2d 267 The LEITER MINERALS, Inc., Petitioner,v.UNITED STATES of America et al. No. 26. Argued Nov. 6 and 7, 1956. Decided Jan. 14, 1957. Mr. Samuel W. Plauche , Jr., Lake Charles, La., for petitioner. Perry Morton, Washington, D.C., respondent United States America. Charles D. Marshall, New Orleans, respondents California Co. Allen L. Lobrano. Justice FRANKFURTER delivered the opinion Court. This case presents decision important questions regarding applicability to restrictions against stay state court proceedings contained in 28 U.S.C. § 2283, U.S.C.A. 2283 propriety injunction decreed by District Court sustained Appeals. Petitioner 1953 had filed a petitory action Louisiana respondent-mineral-lessees States. In that action, suit one out possession claiming title to, of, immovables, petitioner sought have itself declared owner mineral rights under land owned States, it also an accounting oil other minerals removed respondent-lessees their lease from founded its claim on Act 315 1940, La.Rev.Stat., 1950, 9:5806, which, alleged, made 'imprescriptible' reservation deed December 21, 1938, predecessor title.1 2 Respondent-lessees exceptions proceedings, urging law lessor should be party lessees discharged suit, this was essentially which not consented sued, indispensable party, no cause been stated. trial found stated, overruled exceptions. 3 At point joining interested parties as defendants, brought present Eastern quiet rights; preliminary restrain prosecuting court. based ownership provision 1938 petitioner's would expire April 1, 1945, subject certain conditions material case. claimed irreparable injury form loss royalties result any temporary, wrongful dispossession proceedings. Affidavits were submitted support permanent wells currently producing probably temporary cessation production. moved dismiss States' complaint ground already assumed jurisdiction over property question; alternative, federal pending determination because involved. 4 held that, since could tried only prosecution issue protect property. 127 F.Supp. 439. Appeals affirmed, holding proper 'the district clear provisions statute, 1345 (28 1345), became vested with exclusive determine appellant.' 224 F.2d 381, 383 384. Because presence difficult federal-state relations, more than Government appears them, we granted certiorari. 350 964, 76 5 provides: 'A may grant State except expressly authorized Congress, or where necessary aid jurisdiction, effectuate judgments.' 7 It must first decided whether section applies stays different answers question will put aspects issues An analogous problem presented v. Mine Workers, 330 258, 67 677, 91 L.Ed. 884, Norris-La Guardia Act, 47 Stat. 70, 29 101, qualifications, labor disputes prohibit acts, did apply like effected, general language, limitation courts. Furthermore, largely diversity spawned substantive problems courts, limitations courts imposed those area relations calling particular circumspection adjudication. 8 interpreting language relied heavily 'an old wellknown rule,' albeit rule construction, 'that statutes terms divest pre-existing privileges applied sovereign without express words effect.' at page 272, 686. While, strictly speaking, 'pre-existing' 1789—1793 pre-statute period,2 rationale requires but rather they exist apart statute. There can doubt, 2283; right enjoin whenever prerequisites relief way present. Treating invoked Workers merely lead us hold absence countervailing considerations, such significant legislative history pointing toward inclusion inferences clearly drawn relevant presuppositions so including it. 9 rely entirely construction reading whole supported conclusion included. case, there is gainsay construction. is, however, persuasive reason why court's power might restricted when private seeking similar relief. statute designed prevent conflict between policy much compelling litigation threatens draw two judicial systems into seeks threatened national interest. frustration superior interests ensue precluding Federal obtaining severe great cannot reasonably impute purpose Congress alone. always feel confident about construing ambiguous aids are meager, interpretation excluding coverage seems preferable context healthy relations.3 10 still remains granting circumstances We start certainty. finally basic affected 1940. and, settled principles, interest persons authority See Lee, 106 196, 240, 27 171. Although mould try order account removed, nevertheless settle well confusion if resulted judgment inconsistent subsequently rendered 11 relies Bank York & Trust Co., 296 463, 56 343, 80 331. There, proceeding, assignment funds three Russian insurance companies being custody court, connection liquidation companies, orders concerning distribution claimants laws. On basis claim, require payment them Court, affirming dismissal complaints denial injunction, obtained resolved noted numerous claimants, parties, who suit. remitting saw 'impairment rights' 'any sacrifice dignity sovereign.' Id., pages 480—481, 348—349. 12 situation different. All proceeding joined proceeding. Moreover, unusual claimant, never possessed hands depositaries appointed obtain States; Therefore, position defensive one, think permitted choose forum even though has elements characterized quasi rem. therefore properly exercised entertain effectuation ultimate judgment. 13 One further aspect considered. advanced additional decision: 14 'Moreover, allowed proceed final judgment, actually determined 'behind back' * these turn appellate required, Erie Railroad Tompkins, 304 64, 58 817, 82 1188, follow spite fact *.' 444. 15 But does mean initiate fact, constitutionality involved—and contends application adverse unconstitutional—our precisely opposite: 'as constitutional become intertwined doubts local law, insisted do decide guesses law.' Spector Motor Service McLaughlin, 323 105, 65 152, 154, 89 101; see Stainback Mo Hock Ke Lok Po, 336 368, 383, 69 606, 614, 93 741; Commission Texas Pullman 312 496, 498-502, 61 643, 644, 646, 85 971. 16 1940 themselves contracted specific duration construed impair obligation Government's contract. disagrees. Supreme considered discussed generally especially reference constitutionality. recognized importance deciding case; involved, read him runs. What situations applicable? Is declaratory prior law? meet? relevant. Before attempting answer relation advisable interpretation, possible, interpret finality, procedure available secure 13:4231 seq., course appear urge Stanley Schwalby, 147 508, 512—513, 418, 419, 420, 37 259. need hardly added definitively overriding law. 17 modify permit every expedition conformity opinion. 18 Modified affirmed. 19 DOUGLAS, dissenting part. 20 I agree enjoined; concur extent. dissent direction while repair get around turns. 21 That authoritative avoid new perspective. 104—105, 101. plaintiff's within solely attack Under 1331, matter controversy exceeds jurisdictional amount 'and arises Constitution, laws treaties States.' necessity duty possible question. Siler Louisville Nashville R. 213 175, 451, 53 753. then, matters ancillary primary responsibility resolve issues. 22 here, although potential lurk background, primarily concerns §§ 1345, 1346, entrusted Those sections allow civil involves questions—to conducted all case—those turning Meredith City Winter Haven, 320 228, 64 88 9, citizenship, refused remit questions. case—state federal, easy. And Propper Clark, 337 472, 1333, 1480. policy, notably bankruptcy trustees sometimes sent adjudications pertinent administration bankrupt's estate. Thompson Magnolia 309 478, 60 628, 84 876. peculiarly inappropriate here. benefit protection own type litigation. controversy. beat devil bush when, having taken send back most construe constitutionally. make readily congressional scheme change fiat. reservation, portion, provided: 'The Vendor reserves sale mine remove, others oil, gas valuable deposited said lands, remove premises; enter upon lands time mining removing minerals, right, hereinafter set forth, understood, vendors pay America, 5% gross proceeds received otherwise aforedescribed until shall paid sum $25,000, purchase price properties. 'Provided termination ten (10) year period extended, extended operation carried number days terminate, complete fee herein original years periods accordance above subsequent conveyance aforementioned properties shall, remain vendors.' '* acquired conventional contract, condemnation expropriation subdivisions agencies, person, firm corporation, act acquisition, verdict gas, and/or reserved, acquisition conveyed royalties, force effect, reserved previously sold imprescriptible.' 151 providing prescription run real estate Louisiana. go 1793, 335, 2283. Most lower have, discussion, reached same result. E.g., Taylor's Oak Ridge Corp., 28; Cain, 72 897; Phillips, 33 261, reversed grounds, 246, 480, 800; McIntosh, 57 573; Babcock, 160, modification Cir., 905; Inaba, 291 F. 416. Land Title 90 970; Use Reconstruction Finance Corp. Certain Parcels Land, 62 1017, appeal dismissed stipulation Treasure 1022.

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