Legal Document

345 U.S. 379 73 Supreme Court Reporter 749 97 L.Ed. 1094 POPE et al.v.ATLANTIC COAST LINE R. CO. Number 322. Argued Jan. 16, 1953. Decided April 27, Opinion Conformed to June 9, See 76 South Eastern Reporter, 2nd Series 399. Mr. Richard M. Maxwell, Atlanta, Ga., for petitioner. Messrs. Allan C. Garden, Fitzgerald, Charles Cook Howell, Wilmington, N.C., respondent. Chief Justice VINSON delivered the opinion of Court. 1 Invoking Federal Employers' Liability Act,1 petitioner sued his employer, an interstate railroad company, injuries sustained during course employment, allegedly through respondent's negligence. The injury occurred in Ben Hill County, Georgia, which was place petitioner's employment as well residence. But filed complaint Circuit Jefferson Alabama; jurisdiction and venue were grounded on § 6 Act.2 2 Respondent then initiated a suit equity Superior County asked that be restrained from prosecuting action Alabama. Respondent's petition contained allegations had deliberately sought 'harass' employer by subjecting it burden expense defending claim distant forum, far scene accident residences witnesses. 3 trial court general demurrer this petition. Georgia reversed—holding law provided courts with power enjoin residents bringing vexatious suits foreign jurisdictions. Petitioner's Act prohibited such injunction case overruled. 209 Ga. 187, 71 243. We granted certiorari, 344 863, 107, decision interpreted important federal statute, interpretation asserted conflict decisions Miles versus Illinois Central Co., 1942, 315 698, 62 827, 86 1129, Baltimore & O.R. company Kepner, 1941, 314 44, 6, 28. 4 In our grant we also directed counsel brief argue question whether judgment 'final.' statute vests us review state provides must come 'highest State could had,' 28 United States Code KF62 1257, Annotated KF65 U5 1257. at bar clearly met first requirement, but doubt satisfied second. 5 Congress has limited judgments lest Court's exercised piecemeal proceedings render advisory opinions. Were reviewing not 'final' judgments, litigants would free here seek questions which, after later proceedings, might subsequently prove unnecessary irrelevant complete disposition litigation.3 Ordinarily, then, overruling demurrer, like issuance temporary injunction,4 is judgment. Yet are bound determine presence or absence finality mere examination 'face judgment.'5 have 1257 so preclude fact ripe adjudication when tested against policy 1257.6 7 problem arises because did not, its face, end litigation. Both parties agree procedure permit return interpose some other defense injunction. no interpose. He been both explicit concession rests upon nothing more. If below decided correctly, remains done mechanical entry court. Thus, comes us, controlling question; 'there more decided.'7 Under these particular circumstances, over cause, Richfield Oil Corporation Board Equalization, 1946, 329 69, 67 156, 91 80, reach merits contention failed give proper effect provisions Act. 8 Section establishes right sue It employee may bring wherever carrier 'shall doing business', admittedly respondent does business chosen transitory cause action; held before, indistinguishable one, displaces traditional 'power citizens, ground oppressiveness * suing another *.' supra, page 699, 828. admits dealt precisely issue before tells now longer overruled it, implication, passage 1404(a) Judicial 1948.8 provides: 9 'For convenience witnesses, interest justice, district transfer any civil division where brought.' 10 heretofore makes doctrine forum non conveniens applicable cases brought actions forum. Ex parte Collett, 1949, 337 55, 69 944, 959, 93 1207. extend decision, hold s case. do agree; think language suggests implied broad courts. 11 1404(a), very terms, speaks courts; addresses itself only lawsuit initiated; function vest convenient speak courts, says concerning than litigant further jurisdiction. Nor contemplate collateral attack urged respondent; contains suggestion raised settled initiation second jurisdiction; purpose authorize, under certain one 'might 12 Although statutory authorization case, directs attention remarks Reviser's Note provision Code. Notes considered enactment various 1948 relied them explain significance scope each section.9 13 Basing argument text argues intent Congress, if expressed purpose, construed construe it. 14 recites Ohio furnished 'an example need' 1404(a). Kepner exercise resident reasoned purposely given establish he sued, and, what expressly given, should take away. 15 reference nowise conflicts plain meaning itself. simply cited apt inequitable situation cured providing grounds conveniens. full Note10 clear transfer, enjoin, remedy envisioned injustice wronght 16 exception powers conferred chose leave intact. Indeed, said much before: 17 'Section defines forum; deals properly brought. two sections deal separate distinct problems. limit otherwise modify elsewhere district. *' 60, 947. 18 gone further; vested here. fact, same enacted refused enact bill amended limiting employee's choice 19 This proposed amendment—the Jennings Bill11—focused Congress' cases. question—involving many considerations—of narrowly restricted, reopened; cogent arguments—both pro con—were restated. Proponents amendment that, result decisions, injured employees left abuse their rights employers forums without restriction. They insisted abuses curtailed.12 These arguments prevailed House passed Bill,13 died Senate Judiciary Committee, just it.14 20 Since narrow still controlling; since find legislation devitalized way, affirmative evidence let stand, reversed. 21 Reversed. 22 BLACK agrees concurs reversing reasons opinion. 23 REED, concurring. N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions am final. Compare Clark Williard, 292 112, 54 615, 78 1160. As view prevail, join rest 24 FRANKFURTER, dissenting. 25 Pope Atlantic Coast Line Railroad, Virginia corporation, derived while employed railroad's shops Georgia. Fitzgerald town is, years been, resident. Before Alabama came trial, proceeding action. addition averring facts recited, made relating availability witnesses factors relevant determination fairness pursuing litigation A attempt seeking enforce acting equitable permits restraining person within State's 'from thing', 243, 245. 'The thing' deemed restrain accomplishment 'the obtain unconscionable advantage employer' 196, 249. 26 Had Pope's based Act, negligence passenger, could, doubt, circumstances alleged suit, enjoined passenger proceeding. Do 28, light basis congressional response Title Code, revised 1948, restrict Georgia? 27 accept sense overrule undisturbed. cut them. found those plaintiffs unrestrainable freedom among federal—which authorized entertain Following Miles, permitting 'any action' another. rationale foreclosed, indicated, possibility Gulf Gilbert, 330 501, 505, 839, 841, 1055. 1207, removed barrier arising generality said, naturally enough, repealed construed, 'judicial gloss' represented opinions 61, 29 reaffirms 'gloss' treating iron restriction touched beyond literal rejection. Collett examined detail legislative materials pertaining gave intimation less remove entire gloss thereby freeing compulsions 6. plainly indicated artifact, Congress. small extent illumination cast need provision' 'permitting forum.' H.R. Rep. 308, 80th Cong., 1st Sess., App. 132. seems strange derive intention presented yet untouched indeed, necessary consequence Kepner. 30 Such treatment me opposite obedience command. beside point urge injunctions out-of-State suits. strictly scope, citation inapt score literalness, quite consider 'need' meeting? 31 Legislation read hostile spirit mid-Victorian days regarded, main, wilful arbitrary interference harmony common rational unfolding judges. attitude treats words ends vehicles convey meaning. One supposed niggardly long become outmoded. Statutes, even self-enclosed instances; they regarded starting points reasoning, means securing coherence effectuating purpose. Landis, Statutes Sources Law, Harvard Legal Essays 213—246. 32 expresses respect enforcement Act; policy, astute indicate, contrary offspring, Miles.1 difficult assume aimed reached time desired continue law. Not reject assumption attribute disregard desirability uniformity administration wish create fairly called, shall see, capricious whimsical results. 33 avoiding judicial process most There rhyme reason assuming eager shut off forbade prevention courts.2 specifically since, addressing central formulating policy. To natural implications imprison reading shell commit cardinal sin construction, blind literalness. 34 enunciated least operation treated authority unqualified plaintiffs, indefeasible regardless interests justice affected exercise.3 Now, freely apply, supra. So Southern Mayfield, 340 1, 95 3. minority ruled will recognize Barrett, Doctrine Forum Conveniens, 35 Calif.L.Rev. 380, 388, n. 40. Only Brings can plaintiff sure, today's matter how unjustifiable choice, tried. sole adherence Kepner-Miles creation haven harassing activity condemned therefore ought regard legitimate, carried virtue gloss,' although tolerated States, including supervising authority. Is reasonable suggest contemplated situation? fair infer strictest indicates, mutilated show, avowed? 36 outside number all probability tried criteria determined equally decisive. result, defendant's motion present, run counter decreed equivalent Collett. device prevent objectionable, familiar justice. sanctioned use appropriate instances, see Cole Cunningham, 133 269, 538, deny whose open question. 37 By mean imply every application cognate injunction, necessarily proper, none afoul technical local procedural defeat effective enjoyment right. American Railway Express Levee, 263 19, 44 11, 68 140; Davis Wechsler, 22, 13, 143. admitted there purely vexatious. On record shred connection between 45 51, 51. 56, 56. Radio Station WOW Johnson, 1945, 326 120, 123 124, 65 1475, 1477—1478, 89 2092; Gospel Army City Los Angeles, 1947, 331 543, 1428, 1662. Cf. Herb Pitcairn, 324 117, 125—126, 459, 462—463, 789. Montgomery Building Construction Trades Council Ledbetter Erection 1952, 178, 196. U.S., 546, 1430. 1934, 118, 618, pages 65—70, 949—952. pertinent part reads: 'Subsection (a) drafted accordance conveniens, though proper. provision, prosecuted Employer's New York, resided Ohio. new subsection requires further, so.' 1639, Sess. H.R.Rep.No.613, (1947); Hearings Subcommittee Committee S. 1567 2d (1948). Bill debated extensively floor House. Cong.Rec. 9178—9193. 9194. 62—65, 948—950. No inconsistent illumined failure Bill, That amend Fed- eral removing section (45 56 56)) residence defendant, arose, defendant commencing action.' adding paragraph 51 (28 112) provide carriers damages resulting wrongful death personal injuries.' Page 2. specified railroads, permitted county occurred. curable discretionary dismissals or, manner Bill. difference methods plain. meat-ax approach opposed Judiciary. pointed out evil 'trafficking in, solicitation of, lawsuits' originated decisions. minority's aim lawsuits 'moved around purposes laws' rather governed inflexible Id., Part 2, Pages 3—4. rejection coincides disregards. saw fit, 'vest' denies course, misconceive problem. judiciaries deprived inheres Douglas N.H. 279 377, 49 355, 747, overruled, presumably try dismiss This, however, likely occurrence opinions, plaintiff's almost always respected

Classification Label: 8