Legal Document

337 U.S. 810 69 Supreme Court Reporter 1330 93 L.Ed. 1709 v.SHEPARD S.S. CO. GAYNOR versus AGWILINES, Incorporated Nos. 360, 430. Argued Feb. 2, 1949. Decided June 27, Mr. James Landye, Portland, Or., for petitioner Fink. Abraham E. Freedman, Philadelphia, Pa., Gaynor. Leavenworth Colby, Washington, D.C., respondent. Justice REED delivered the opinion of Court. 1 These two cases raise issues which, as facts set out below indicate, are controlled by our decision in Cosmopolitan Shipping company McAllister, 783, 1317. 2 The petitioner, Fink, signed on S. George Davidson 8, 1943, an able seaman. shipping articles showed 'Registered Managing Owner or Manager' 'War Administration (Owner) Shepard Steamship (Gen. Agents).' contract pursuant to which respondent, Co., handled certain phases ship's business was standard form General Agency Agreement, GAA 4—4—42. Petitioner procured respondent from a union hiring hall employment master vessel. 3 In August, while ship at sea, Fink ordered and boatswain empty garbage can overboard. No one assigned help him although heavy, rail high sea rough. roll caused be thrown backwards against injuring him. 4 instituted this action damages under Jones Act1 Circuit Oregon, alleging that 'in possession of, controlled, navigated, managed operate' negligent ordering dump heavy without assistance.2 Respondent denied all these allegations. jury charged officers were agents their negligence, if any, should imputed Judgment entered verdict petitioner. Oregon reversed, Ore., 192 Pacific Reporter, 2nd Series 258, holding remedy injury negligence government-operated vessel such this, subsequent enactment Clarification Act, exclusively suit United States Suits Admiralty Act. It thus distinguished Hust Moore-McCormack Lines, 328 707, 66 1218, 90 1534, ground there occurred before effective date Act.3 A petition certiorari granted case argument along with supra. 5 question here is identical i.e., whether general agent owned government operated War liable Act seaman who injured after officer reasons arguments supporting negative answer McAllister equally applicable here. purpose would served repeating them. 6 We desire point out, however, testimony confirms conclusions we have drawn study Agreement. establishes neither employer vessels nor party relation ith them it could held vicariously torts. shows required fill application captioned Administration, Division Operations Service Record.' Consideration approval applications W.S.A. made applicants employees States. Thereafter, transfer other different companies agents, accomplished furnishing form. new required. had no voice determining destination route vessel, what service operated, how foreign ports. soliciting loading cargo collection freight functions berth agents. 7 Gaynor 1945 member crew Christopher Gadsden, Administration. referred 'Agwilines, Inc., gen. agts. WSA,' also stated, '* * Master, Officers, members Crew subject provisions (the 57 Statutes-at-Large 45, 50 U.S.C.Appendix, § 1291, U.S.C.A.Appendix, 1291), not Agwilines, Inc.' Agwilines Gadsden departed Philadelphia voyage stopped en Charleston where, authorized shore leave, highway accident. Neither ship, agent, directly involved any way 8 sued wages maintenance cure, 'possessed, owned, controlled' allegations, averred merely contract, 'owned, States,' failed comply complaints sort brought 9 On pleadings, agreed statement summarized above, articles, agreement, delivery redelivery certificates evidencing allocation W.S.A., District Eastern Pennsylvania dismissed petitioner's only 76 F.Supp. 617. Appeals Third affirmed. 169 Federal 612. 10 Although involves right whereas concern injury, reasoning decisions those dispositive This so because cure 'annexed employment,' Cortes Baltimore Insular Line, 287 367, 371, 53 173, 174, 77 368; see Osceola, 189 158, 23 483, 47 760; 'an incident marine employer-employee relationship,' Aguilar Standard Oil 318 724, 730, 63 930, 934, 87 1107; Benedict, (6th ed., 1940) 61, 253; owner pro hac vice wages, stem employment. Shilman States, Cir., 164 649, 652; John Berwind, 56 13; Everett 284 KF105 F3 203; Cox Lykes Brothers, 237 N.Y. 376, 383, 143 Northeastern KF135 N59 226. Thus liability depends upon sam relationship support injury. That does exist between respondent.4 11 certificate, relied showing control recites pertinent part 'was 31st day December, 1942 Under Terms Conditions 'Service Form GAA' *.' quite obvious, think, certificate refers 'delivery' purposes contemplated Agreement adds nothing significance already held, supra, insufficient establish agent. 12 360 430 13 BLACK, DOUGLAS, MURPHY RUTLEDGE dissent. 41 1007, 46 Code KF62 688, Annotated KF65 U5 688. He filed claim account his injuries 741 et seq., 1291. later prejudice. See page 727, 1228, 1534. Note treated claims seamen employed through directs rights shall enforced

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