Legal Document

352 U.S. 112 77 Supreme Court Reporter 200 1 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 178 Lee WALKER, Appellant,v.CITY OF HUTCHINSON, Reno County, KANSAS, a Municipal Corporation, et al. Number 13. Argued Oct. 15 and 16, 1956. Decided Dec. 10, Mr. Herbert Monte Levy, New York City, for appellant. Fred C. Littooy, Hutchinson, Kan., appellees. Opinion of the by Justice BLACK announced DOUGLAS. The appellant Walker owned certain land in City Kansas. In 1954 filed an action District Kansas, to condemn part his property order open, widen, extend one City's streets. proceeding was instituted under authority Article 2, Chapter 26 General Statutes 1949. Pursuant s 26—201 that statute1 court appointed three commissioners determine compensation taken any other damage suffered. These were required § 26—202 give landowners at least ten days' notice time place their proceedings. Such could be given either 'in writing * or publication official city paper *.'2 here not but made Hutchinson. fixed damages $725, pursuant statute, this amount deposited with treasurer benefit Section 26—205 authorized appeal from award if within 30 days after filing report. Appellant took no prescribed period. Some later, however, he brought present equitable Kansas Court. His petition alleged had never been notified condemnation proceedings knew nothing about them until passed. He charged newspaper statute sufficient satisfy Fourteenth Amendment's due process requirements. asked enjoin Hutchinson its agents entering trespassing on 'and such further relief as seem(s) just equitable.'3 After hearing, trial denied relief, holding provided Commissioners' meet requirements Due Process Clause. Agreeing court, State affirmed. Kan. 263, 284 Pacific Reporter, 2nd 1073. case is properly 28 Code KF62 1257(2), Annotated KF65 U5 1257(2). only question we find it necessary decide whether, circumstances kind, alone measures up quality Clause Amendment requires prerequisite fix cases. 2 It cannot disputed owner whose public use must hearing determining compensation. right meaningless without notice. Mullane versus Central Hanover Bank & Trust Co., 339 306, 70 652, 94 L.Ed. 865, gave thorough consideration problem adequate That establishes rule that, feasible, reasonably calculated inform parties which may directly adversely affect legally protected interests.4 We there called attention impossibility setting rigid formula kind given; will vary conditions. recognized some cases might possible personal notice, example where people are missing unknown. 3 Measured principles stated case, think falls short process. common knowledge mere rarely informs landowner against property. pointed out many infirmities emphasized advantage interested parties. seem compelling even persuasive reasons why direct given. Appellant's name known records. Even letter would have apprised him appear wanted heard value.5 4 Nothing our prior decisions provides relies primarily Huling Kaw Valley Railway Improvement 130 559, 9 603, 32 1045. reliance misplaced. 1889, upheld ground non-resident. Since resident upon consider extent undermined reasoning decision.6 5 There peculiar litigation between Government citizens should deprive those heard. Nor reason suspect interfere orderly preserve effectively citizen's rights connection too instances all. leave government authorities free one-sidedly paid owners use. 6 For foregoing judgment reversed cause remanded inconsistent opinion. so ordered. 7 Reversed remanded. 8 BRENNAN decision case. FRANKFURTER, dissenting. 10 contends provision Kan.Gen.Stat.1949, 26—202, allowing itself violates shall 'deprive person life, liberty, property, law *.'1 first issue faces us, pleadings exactly what 11 Once discovered condemned passed, various courses action, followed separately combination each raising different issues, open him. If considered fair still desired keep land, contended unconstitutionality invalidated taking. unfair, appropriate inadequacy sought obtain compensation, see Ward Board County Com'rs Love 253 17, 40 419, 64 751, restrain entry onto received or, making allegation invalidity taking, permanent injunction. At stage, relevant me imply opinion merits these action. 12 On reading complaint, chose pursue course. theory attempt has possession. injunction based possession solely statutory insufficient. Nowhere does make factual money did represent value therefore left pocket. indicate hearing. whole being value.2 13 memorandum oral argument Court, 'irreparable damage' monetary loss. states: 'Of course, irreparable damage—indeed all—unless less than actual Had damages, then differences logically found petition. But proceeding.' 14 merely legal conclusion, flowing from, justified by, facts warranting injunctive relief. usual assertion underlying suit trespass threatened continuous nature represents damage.' Indeed, injunction, assertion, immediately preceding prayer relief: 'That moment defendant itself, contractors employed it, is, threatening enter said real estate Plaintiff, purpose building highway across estate, all utter complete disregard Plaintiff.' 16 view absence respect damage,' appellant's claim loss baseless. 17 construed pleading implying N Immigration Nationality Decisions accept construction. See Saltonstall Saltonstall, 276 260, 267—268, 48 225, 226, 72 565. construe decided upholding constitutionality statute. abstract determination itself. This can 'Cases' 'Controversies.' U.S.C.onst., III, 2. constitutional power render advisory opinions. To assume courts sub silentio alleging excogitate. A much more probable inference since controlling Court's jurisdiction raised pleadings, concern it. event, lacking explicit construction courts, ourselves questions record comes us. Doremus Education, 342 429, 432, 394, 396, 96 475. 18 my view, whether failure invalidates taking apart held times State's interest expeditious handling justifies payment, violating Clause, long payment made. See, e.g., Bragg Weaver, 251 57, 62, 64, 135. able show provisions they operated inadequate before attack scheme Ashwander T.V.A., 297 288, 347, 56 466, 483, 80 688 cited note (Brandeis, J., concurring); cf. Smith Indiana, 191 138, 148—149, 24 51, 52, 125. us inadequate, valid very least, returned pleadings. Honeyman Hanan, 300 14, 57 350, 81 476. 19 explicitly construing passes 26—202. Without intimating eminent domain, feel constrained point hold invalid require grant protected. 20 APPENDIX. 21 'In 22 'Amended Petition 23 'Comes now Walker, plaintiff herein, attorneys, Oswald Mitchell, T. E. Chenoweth, Manager, Robert G. King, Mayor Members Commission, Charles N. Brown, Jerry Stremel, R. Woodward Johnson, respectfully states Court: '2. Plaintiff post office address 907 East 11th Street, Kansas; Negro; born Bargtown, Kentucky 15th day October, 1875; had, youth, education equivalent Sixth Grade. 25 '3. Defendant municipal corporation; above named individual Defendants respectively member Woodard members '4. 27th February, 1905, acquired fee simple title through Warranty Deed, duly executed Arthur deed recorded Register Deeds 28th Book 85, Page 479, following described situated Kansas: 27 'Lots thirty-seven (37), thirty-eight (38), thirty-nine (39), forty (40), forty-one (41), forty-two (42), forty-three (43), forty-four (44), forty-five (45), forty-six (46), forty-seven (47) forty-eight (48), Block Five (5), Maple Grove Addition ever time, same, enjoyed quiet peaceful thereof likewise fruits ownership, paid, assessments taxes every assessed estate; estate. 29 '5. 12th April, 1954, elected appointed, qualified acting officials, entitled: matter application corporation, appointment acquisition way opening, widening extending portions Eleventh Avenue, Harrison Street Twenty-third Avenue Hutchison, 31 'the same docketed Case 7867. '6. condemning by-pass, speak, Hutchinson's Super-Sports Arena. 33 '7. been, manner coveted bit by-pass Arena 1905; nor served summons, whatsoever aforesaid 34 '8. pretended described, rests authority, far counsel ascertain, G.S. 7867, fully Paragraph thereunder, statutes void force effect whatsoever, because vest municipalities take law. 35 '9. publication, mentioned clauses both Federal Constitutions. 36 '10. actually know, know approximately middle August, 1954; unless quirk imagination, single published once News-Herald, 14th notice; 37 '11. Plaintiff. 38 '12. entitled Order instanter, enjoining restraining upon, reason, inter alia, remedy, equity, Plaintiff; restrained enjoined, suffer thereof. 39 '13. advised orders Courts competent jurisdiction, granting order, temporary nature, party seeking obtaining indemnity type bond bonds; hereby humbly advises limited financial resources, bond, asks, statement facts, giving bonds condition precedent Plaintiff's time. '14. have, desires servants, others employment, preventing otherwise enjoying enjoyment 41 'Wherefore foregoing, prays immediate described. permanently described; costs equitable.' 42 BURTON, 43 seems clear. If, sufficiency ten-day assess taken, discretion lawmaking body State. 44 weighing 'due process' procedure reasonable balance struck needs acquire opportunity Just constitutionally necessary, length largely legislative discretion. minimum undesirably short, satisfactory lawmakers also Appeals Tenth Circuit. proscribe violative Constitution fails allow scope local Accordingly, while passing desirability requirement am ready prohibits choosing standard. Particularly, throw nationwide cloud undertainty validity compliance similar statutes. settled nonresident comports Ry. Imp. also, North Laramie Land company Hoffman, 268 276, 283—287, 45 491, 494—495, 69 953; agree below Circuit rendered comparable Collins Wichita, 225 132, came last term certiorari November 7, 1955, 350 886, 76 140. Therefore, affirm here. reads follows: 'Private purposes; survey; ordinance fixing district; district court; commissioners. Whenever deemed governing private widening, street alley, survey description easement engineer file clerk. And thereupon forth used. body, soon practicable declaring appropriation written judge county describing praying appraisement assessment therefor.' read 'Notice lienholders record; damages; reports. lienholder when assessed, paper, shall, appraise lands done respectively, appropriations. generally remainder appraisers especially benefited proposed improvement. adjourn often convenient, may, during adjournment, perfect correct errors omissions serving new notices citing corporations who whom defective insufficient given, adjourned meeting effective *.' Although prayed evidently adequately assure procedure; passed dealing latter problem. showing standing maintain equity suit, McKeever Buker, 201, 101 KF135 P2 991, complaint result rather procedure, treated state resulting lack damage. 135, adequacy like one. applied Covey Town Somers, 351 141, 724; York, N.H. H.R. 344 293, 73 299, 97 333. amended Mullane, mailing copy resident, residence located diligent inquiry. Kan.Gen.Stat.1949 (Supp.1955), 494, 953, holdings do conflict chapter 73, 1913 Laws Wyoming, sent registered mail. 282 that: 'The Wyoming complied By bound.' supra, pages 61—62, page Virginia thirty appeal. apparent special care afford ample thereby full circuit court.' important set except 26—204, parkways boulevards vests resolution city's report register deeds. clerk forthwith (of commissioners) office, prepare deposit city, treasurer, lands, award, certify report, pay awards persons thereto. parks, same. Upon recording certified deeds county, of, occupy, improve purposes specified appropriating same.' entirety Appendix end opinion, 122, 205.

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