Legal Document

357 U.S. 17 78 Supreme Court Reporter 1039 2 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 1109 UNITED STATES of America, Petitioner,v.C. M. DOW. Number 102. Argued March 5, 1958. Decided June 9, Mr. Perry W. Morton, Washington, D.C., for petitioner. L. Keith Simmer, Houston, Tex., respondent. Justice HARLAN delivered the opinion Court. 1 The issue in this case arises out a condemnation proceeding which acquired an easement pursuant to its power eminent domain. principal question presented is whether claim 'just compensation' vested owners land at time entered into possession court order 1943 or such respondent, Dow, who 1945, filed declaration taking 1946, under Declaration Taking Act February 26, 1931, 46 Statutes-at-Large 1421, 40 Code KF62 §§ 258a—258e, Annotated KF65 U5 258a—258e. In instituted District Southern Texas acquire right-of-way pipe line over certain lands Harris County, Texas, owned by estate and heirs John Federal KF105 F3 Garrett James Bute. Among condemned was Parcel 1, narrow strip some 2.7 acres 617-acre tract, property involved present suit. Government proceeded various statutes, including August 1888, 25 357, § 257, Title II Second War Powers 27, 1942, 56 176, 177. As requested petition, ordered 'immediate possession' strip. Within next ten days physical began laying through tract. completed has been continuous use since that time. 3 November 1945 tract conveyed Dow general warranty deed specifically excepted pipe-line as being subject proceedings. May 1946 taking, Act, covering Estimated compensation deposited any judgment on entered. A few months later amended petition name additional parties, were alleged be asserting interest land. referred commissioners practice, applicable federal See versus Miller, 317 369, 379—380, 63 276, 282—283, 87 L.Ed. 336. After hearing, appeared, commissioners, 1948, awarded $4,450 imposition easement. 4 lengthy unexplained delay proceedings, 1955 motion summary against Dow. 1956 granted dismissed party. found fact Dow's grantors had intended convey him 'all their right, title said award made same.' It then went rule Assignment Claims 31 203, prohibited assignment States, therefore ineffective award. Appeals reversed, holding no because 'arose vested' until filing that, become owner land, he entitled 238 Reporter, 2nd 898. Because bears importantly rights resulting from we Government's certiorari. 353 972, 77 1057, 1135. 5 well established, recognized, prohibits voluntary property. Shannon, 342 288, 72 281, 96 321. view express finding right award, think transfer must considered have assignment, rather than, argues, effect operation law, thus not within Act's prohibition. Cf. Aetna Casualty & Surety Co., 338 366, 373—376, 70 207, 211—213, 94 171; see 23 Tracts Land 6 Cir., 177 967, 970. We would justified relaxing rigor especially very terms way left open parties accomplish valid means.* Accordingly, can prevail only if 'taking' occurred while owner. For it undisputed '(since) due time, earlier date, receives payment.' Danforth 308 271, 284, 60 231, 236, 84 240; cf. Dickinson, 331 745, 67 1382, 91 1789. hold, contrary Appeals, did occur when but 1943. follows landowners receive recover action. Broadly speaking, may take domain one two ways: enter without authority order; institute proceedings Acts Congress providing takings. Under first method—physical seizure—no are instituted, provided remedy Tucker 28 1346(a)(2) 1491, 1346(a)(2), just compensation. Hurley Kincaid, 285 95, 104, 52 267, 269, 76 637. second procedure either employ statutes require pay judicially determined before upon 257; 18, 1890, 26 316, 50 171, 171,1 proceed other enable immediate amount ascertained. July 1918, 904, 911, 33 594, 594; (employed case). 7 Although both classes cases—condemnation seizure—title passes compensation, Albert Hanson Lumber company 261 581, 587, 43 442, 444, 809, 1045, infra, passage does necessarily determine date 'taking.' usual prior acquisition title, former event constitutes act taking. gives rise fixes valued obligation accrues. Lynah, 188 445, 470—471, 349, 47 539; Rogers, 255 163, 41 65 566; Seaboard Air Line R. 299, 354, 664. takes 'rather than supra, page 8 Had subsequently case, there reason believe these ordinary rules applicable; parcel No suggestion Instead, contends although entry appropriation sufficient 'taking,' subsequent vitiated entry, rendered contention founded mistaken rejected. 9 Section provides: 'Upon (prior proceeding) deposit * estimated shall vest deemed taken persons thereto *.' recognized 'exact provisions entirely clear,' Catlin 324 229, 240, 631, 637, 89 past cases established unchallenged principles pertinent controversy. bestow independent condemn public use. On contrary, provides 'ancillary incidental suits brought statutes,' Such commencement suit 'other statutes' or, after commenced possession. situations enables simply depositing funds 'for account' owners, making payment order. those where yet possession, immediately relieves burden pages 380—381, 283—284. 10 scheme makes plain files But neither language nor history reliable indication intention cases, us, Nevertheless, number considerations led us appropriated 11 place, adopt solution urged undermine policies determining incidents provide already noted, purposes valuing fixing begins run. To confront with Hobson's choice. hand, certainly bizarre hold different 'takings' same property, other. all door anomalous results. example, value changed between took filing, latter accurate reflection what gave up acquired. graphic Chief Shaw: 'If pie-powder could called instant spot, true justice be, whilst they apply axe other.' Parks City Boston, 15 Pick., Mass., 198, 208. also Anderson 179 281. Similarly, begin accrue due, absolved chose file even though exclusion owner, supra. 12 There another why cannot regard uncertainty when, ever, manipulations might encouraged operate disadvantage landowner States. tells invoked 'solely discretion administrative officer.' lie officer reduce 'just' staying his hand market situation favorable developed. Conversely, position increase unduly liability. instance, single worth more sum component parcels, Runner, 174 651, adjacent properties consolidate holdings solely purpose obtaining larger 13 attribute promulgate obvious incongruities undesirable possibilities. 14 persuaded countervailing put forward claimed much needed certainty ensue matters invariably lacking advocated Government, possession—a readily ascertainable ever argued prejudiced project abandoned discontinued passed Government. possibility abandonment exists whenever enters otherwise title. event, prejudice merely results alteration full ownership temporary occupation. O'Connor 155 425; Moody Wickard, U.S.App.D.C. 80, 136 801; Cherokee Nation Kansas 135 641, 660, 965, 34 295. measured normally governing temporarily. Kimball Laundry 69 1434, 93 1765; Petty Motor 327 372, 66 596, 90 729; General Motors Corp., 323 373, 311. 16 Nor accept like total should divided portion attributable receiving balance. 40,379 Square Feet Land, 58 F.Supp. 246. deal party, particularly division entail complex apportionment, severely impede orderly progress conflict underlying Anti-Assignment Act. Hobbs McLean, 117 567, 576, 870, 874, 29 940; relies point us. rejected landowner's ground, inter alia, construction set-back levee near action expressly limited Dickinson statute limitations bar flooding uncertain stage dispute 18 Finally, merit inequitable deny recovery notice available contractual means protected himself vis-a -vis contingency invalidated And whatever equities whose asserts barred limitations, serve prevent application correct law case. McKenzie Irving Trust 365, 405, 407, 305. 19 Reversed. assignments claims nullify nevertheless 'they freely executed presence least attesting witnesses, allowance claim, ascertainment issuing warrant thereof Now 2663.

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