Legal Document

342 U.S. 288 72 Supreme Court Reporter 281 96 L.Ed. 321 UNITED STATESv.SHANNON et al. Number 47. Argued Nov. 27, 1951. Decided Jan. 14, 1952. Mr. Roger Pacific KF135 P2 Marquis, Washington, D.C., for petitioner. John Grimball, Columbia, S.C., respondents. Justice CLARK delivered the opinion of Court. 1 This case brought here on writ certiorari1 tests validity under Anti-Assignment Act, R.S. § 3477,2 an assignment a claim against United States property damage. In effort to escape prohibition that respondents joined their assignors, Mrs. Kathleen Boshamer al.,3 as well parties defendant. The District Court, holding be 'of full force and effect,' entered judgment alone. Appeals affirmed, 4 Cir., 186 Federal Reporter, 2nd Series 430. 2 Boshamers owned, in addition adjoining land which they leased States, two one-acre tracts not lease were located houses barn. During January February, 1945, these buildings damaged by soldiers States. On April 30, 1946, agreed sell entire tract—including both unleased portions—to Samuel W. L. Shannon, instrument 'after completion sale after delivery deed, sellers hereby release purchasers any claim, reparation, or other cause action Government damage caused * *.'4 3 Respondents present Tort Claims 28 Code KF62 (Supp. IV) 1346(b), Annotated KF65 U5 1346(b).5 complaint alleged 'have America since have assigned this (respondents) valuable consideration must prosecute own names are equitably liable amount may recover America,' further had 'refus(ed) aid recovering damages entitled.'6 filed answer stating made but 'are without knowledge information done been unwilling institute suit something no of.'7 At trial admitted all occurred before them, known at time assignment. however, held Act inapplicable ground joinder assignors prevented possible prejudice Government, '(t)he rights claimants will finally adjudicated one suit.'8 believing resulted from 'mutual mistake law' (186 page 433), that: 'Relief is granted, merely because assignees, nor even vendors suit, led making assignment, was part purchase price paid conveyed them. relief given matter law, equity involved hardship would otherwise result.' 430, 434. 5 We cannot agree. our view based entirely falls clearly within ban Act. recently occasion review Act's purposes. versus Aetna Surety Co., 1949, 338 366, 373, 70 207, 211, 94 171, we stated '(i)ts primary purpose undoubtedly prevent persons influence buying up claims might then improperly urged upon officers Government,' second 'to multiple payment claims, make unnecessary investigation assignments, enable deal only with original claimant.' Other courts found yet another statute, namely, save 'defenses it has assignor way set-off, counter etc., applicable assignee.'9 6 case, supra, reaffirmed principle statute does apply assignments operation distinguished voluntary assignments. There can doubt voluntary. free whomever pleased, or, chosen, could sold separately. nature reflected fact testified cross-examination he understood 'buying Government.'10 7 That end matter, however. ninety-nine-year history recognized exceptions broad sweep types (aside allowed): transfers will, Erwin 1878, 97 392, 397, 24 1065, general benefit creditors, Goodman Niblack, 1881, 102 556, 560—561, 26 229. first justified analogy intestacy, exempt being law. It unwise distinction purposes between serve so much same intestacy. similar fashion, exception creditors bankruptcy. See supra. find such compelling analogies bar. contrary, presents situation productive very evils Congress intended prevent. For example, knew refused bring forced defend through who strangers seeking enforce forsworn. One Congress' basic passing 'that government harassed multiplying number whom deal.' Hobbs McLean, 1886, 117 567, 576, 870, 874, 29 940. also 8 Nor persuaded special considerations thought controlling here. To hold executed require inquiry into state mind challenged reward those ignorant books nearly century. all-inclusive language permits easy its prohibition. like manner, court draw basis purely fortuitous factor—whether assignee, his get personal service assignor. Even more important, theory assignee avoid joining party defendant plaintiff, subvert flood litigation permitting them recognize accounting obligated reject. Since give binding adjudication transaction—United assignor, assignee—which claimed prevents applying laxer rule than officers. Such intention Congress. Gillis, 1877, 95 407, 503. do believe by-passed use procedural contrivance. 9 felt respondents' should upheld 'hardship' result. If necessary balance equities order decide whether applies—a many times repudiated—respondents little weight side scales. They $30 per acre plus claim; farm worth $100 more, best county. Furthermore, 'unconscionable' conduct agents. rely, dealing agents least six weeks executed. 10 reversed. 11 Reversed. 12 BLACK JACKSON dissent. 13 DOUGLAS, dissenting. 14 First. Shannons plaintiffs action, & N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions assume 3477, bar recovery. But Shannons—the assignees—have Boshamers—the assignors—as defendants. Hence possibly affected Certainly and, if treated void (as States), recovery Bosham. 15 FRANKFURTER. 16 dismiss writs certiorari. 17 After argument cases became manifest legal sports. Each unique set circumstances. Neither likely recur; individualized instances outside scope importance alone, sound judicial discretion, justify disposition certiorari merits. 18 radical reforms introduced Judiciary 1925, U.S.C.A., reinforced exercise Court's rule-making power regard residual jurisdiction appeal (see Rule 12, 275 603 604, 43 Harv.L.Rev. 33, 42 seq.) put right come here, practical purposes, discretion. Needless say, reason adjudicate wisely, therefore adequate deliberation, controversies existence indispensable system. 19 From some ought never instance bound reach stage argument, despite process wheat worthy petitions sifted vast chaff sought too often blind litigiousness irresponsibility excessive zeal counsel. successive Chief Justices repeatedly abuse privilege attention Bar, thus far avail. When considered last Term passed 987 petitions, surprising, granted escaped appropriate weeding-out—and, parenthetically, few inappropriately denied—but rejection works does.1 And course volume smaller work.2 20 inappropriate denial weeding-out circumscribed, compounding oversight disposing merits, luminously clear did preliminary examination papers allowed rest where dismissing writ. forth behalf Taft: 'If suggested conflict enabled us dispose important consistent granting except involving principles settlement public, parties, there real embarrassing authority Circuit Courts Appeals. certainly comes neither head.' Layne Bowler Corporation Western Well Works, Inc., 261 387, 393, 422, 423, 67 712. 21 fairness effective sits, again acted dismissed 'improvidently granted' necessarily tentative petition.3 These reasons especially when assuming issue law survive present, summer accumulation opening Term.4 ers belong Shannons. Martin National 300 588, 597, 57 531, 535, 81 822. recover, see reason, narrow conceptual one, why proceeding controversy settled. obtained good conscience trust 22 Second. suggestion improvidently raises recurring problem administration business A voted deny position vote granted. Only grant privilege. strikes deep. integrity impaired. By long practice—announced well-known Bar—it takes four votes out nine petition opposing five dismiss, decision four-vote 23 separate FRANKFURTER 288, 286. 808, —-. Statutes-at-Large 170, amended, 31 203, 203: 'All share thereof, interest therein, absolute conditional, whatever therefor, powers attorney, orders, authorities receiving share, shall absolutely null void, unless freely presence attesting witnesses, allowance ascertainment due, issuing warrant thereof. *' Hereafter referred 'the Boshamers.' R. 33. Originally cases, Tucker 1346(a)(2), lease. awarded $2,050 $975 second, judgments affirmed alone 20. 23. 18. Grace D.C.1948, 76 F.Supp. 174, 175. 13. Compare 154 presented during October Term, 1915. one-sixth current impelled emphasize administrative freeing imposition Furness, Withy company Yang-Tsze insurance Ass'n, Ltd., 242 434, 37 141, 61 409. certiorari, disposed 77 'per curiam decisions,' 121 'other applications' Miscellaneous Docket, Original decided 114 cases. Journal Sup. U.S., 1950, I. Rimer, 220 547, 596, 55 578; supra; Tyrrell 243 1, 361, 557; Southern Power North Carolina Public Service 263 508, 44 164, 68 413; Keller Adams-Campbell 264 314, 356, 705; Wisconsin Elec. Dumore 282 813, 51 214, 75 728; Sanchez Borras, 283 798, 490, 1421; Franklin-American Trust St. Louis Union 286 533, 52 642, 1274; Moor Texas New Orleans 297 101, 56 372, 80 509; Neill, 302 645, 58 118, 82 501; 305 578, 59 363, 83 364; Goins 306 622, 783, 1027; McCullough Kammerer Corp., 323 327, 65 297, 89 273; McCarthy Bruner, 673, 126, 547. Washington Fidelity Nat. Burton, 287 97, 100, 53 26, 196; Wilkerson McCarthy, 336 53, 64, 69 413, 418, 93 497. Both May 3, 1951, 8, 809, Term's 224 accumulated summer. addition, beginning motion, Docket 'applications' of.

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