Legal Document

340 U.S. 15 71 Supreme Court Reporter 93 95 L.Ed. SNYDERv.BUCK, Rear Admiral, Paymaster General of the Navy. Number 64. Argued Oct. 18, 1950. Decided Nov. 13, Mr. John Geyer Tausig, Washington, D.C., for petitioner. R. Benney, respondent. Justice DOUGLAS delivered opinion Court. 1 Petitioner sued in District a death gratuity under Act June 4, 1920, 41 Statutes-at-Large 824, as amended, 34 United States Code KF62 § 943, Annotated KF65 U5 claiming widow member naval service. Respondent, defendant suit, was The relief asked mandamus to compel him pay widow's allowance. held petitioner, ordering respondent her amount That judgment entered January 30, 1948. 75 F.Supp. 902. On March 1948, notice appeal filed name Admiral W. Atlantic Buck, 1, however, Buck had been retired and Edwin D. Foster succeeded office. 2 Section 11(a) Judiciary 1925, 43 936, 941, provided that '* * where, during pendency an action brought by or against officer relating present future discharge his official duties, such dies, resigns, otherwise ceases hold office, it shall be competent court wherein action, proceeding is pending, whether one first instance appellate tribunal, permit cause continued maintained successor office officer, if within six months after separation from satisfactorily shown there substantial need so continuing maintaining obtaining adjudication questions involved.'1 3 Neither party made any effort period2 have Buck's substituted him. Appeals therefore ruled abated; then vacated remanded with directions dismiss complaint. 85 U.S.App.D.C. 428, 179 Federal Reporter, 2nd Series 466. 4 complaint this case makes no claim personally. Therefore we put side cases Patton versus Brady, 184 608, 22 493, 46 713, dealing actions assumpsit collectors taxes erroneously collected. writ issued related duty attaching existed long only held. When power perform ceased. He longer authority over allowances. Moreover, might on demand recognize asserted duty. For these reasons absence statute aimed at compelling duties abated where died office.3 See Secretary Interior McGarrahan, 9 Wall. 298, 313, 19 579; Boutwell, 17 604, 607—608, 21 721; Warner Valley Stock company Smith, 165 28, 31, 225, 226, 621; ex rel. Bernardin Butterworth, 169 600, 18 441, 42 873. 5 Congress changed rule. It February 8, 1899, 30 822, federal capacity relation should abate because resignation; period which substitution could made.4 LeCrone McAdoo, 253 217, 40 510, 64 869; H.R.Rep.No.960, 55th Cong., 2d Sess. 6 rule again 11 1925. provision eliminated. requisite showing stated period. revision effected change. 1925 survival dependent timely substitution. Defense Supplies Corporation Lawrence Co., 336 631, 637—638, 69 762, 764 765, 931. And see Ex parte La Prade, 289 444, 456, 53 682, 685, 77 1311. Thus, failure move statutory period, below 'to abated.'5 Claussen Curran, 276 590, 591, 48 206, 72 720; Mathues Cunningham, 282 802, 51 84, 721. This declared policy not altered agreement parties6 some theory estoppel. Nor did application turn rendered prior resignation plaintiff. inability who holds would indeed emphasized rendition coercive judgment. 7 argued read covering those 'actions officials remedies got direct suit States.' Such reading requires more than tailoring Act; full alteration. applies 'an duties'. Many 'discharge duties' substance suits States. If abatement manner suggested, amending process available purpose. 8 its terms action. But nonetheless pending meaning section though being sought, Becker Steel Hicks, Cir., 66 497, 499; Trinler Carusi, 168 1014, implicit supra. habeas corpus, denied Court, granted Circuit Appeals. While time expired substituting custodian whom prisoner Yet, noted above, applied 11, judgments, ordered dismissed abated. There difference reason fact taken retirement without authority. concerned performance responsible. Hence he position obtain review it. Davis Preston, 280 406, 50 171, 74 514. In certiorari circumstances. argument done case. Agent Employers' Liability Act, 35 65, 45 et seq., An special cases.7 affect jurisdiction preserved judgments allowed before satisfaction Therefore, remand enforced way successor, Vacating proper procedure. 10 barrier our ruling 28 2105, prohibits reversal error upon matters 'which do involve jurisdiction.' necessary go jurisdiction. loses must start over. 12 Affirmed. 13 FRANKFURTER, JACKSON joins, dissenting. 14 Natural professional interest trying disentangle legal snarl presented justify me enlarging my dissent Court's views. state law regarding litigation formally but intrinsically Government compounded confusion artificialities analysis differing may futile. At outset desirable dispel misconception legislation courts. Cingress continuance involving conduct succession suit. 822. By dealt problem. 941. finds 'effected change.' does basis enactment Warehouse 764, According what said, 1899 categorical command 'no abate,' eliminated So interpret between provisions misread quoting out context disregarding authoritative legislative history. 16 far concerns effect due change occupancy Acts can leave shadow doubt their identity purpose procedure accomplishment. two acts matter English law. both, assumed unless certain authorized Only phrasing differs. said given continuance; end. To say, 'categorically' abate' mutilating reading. dominant thought controls primary import isolated words. find 'eliminated' has significance meant words were while retained. texts provisions, set forth margin, speak themselves.1 What emerges enactments essentially same function mechanism securing expressed felicitously later enactment, expected Van Devanter, who, well known, chief draftsman range stimulated redrafting. slightest consequences involved. modification apart cutting down twelve, extend successors local officers officials. histories enactments, confirming face legislation, demonstrate conceived purpose, intended consequences, are significance, excepting extended applicability. response suggestion. 605, 442, 873.2 likewise true Irwin Wright, 258 219, 223—224, 293, 295, 753.3 20, 1922, bosom having submitted 24, Chief Taft sent Senator Cummins re sume known 'Judges' Bill,' became As here discussion, proposed bill 'extends right now statute, substitute latter died, resigned, offices embrace Columbia, Canal Zone, Territories insular possessions States, State political subdivision agency thereof.' Confidential Committee Print entitled 'Jurisdiction Courts Court,' Senate Judiciary, 67th 4. formulation thus summarized Judges' Bill introduced Houses Congressman Walsh, respectively, 17, 1922.4 correctness result supra, depend misconceived indicated opinion. ought form part chain reasoning disposing insofar 19255 relevant problem, reject notion that, this, 'did 'command.' 20 brings us circumstances petitioner claims lawful officer. She recover allowance, amounting $1,365, payable 943. Jurisdiction alleged Tucker 24 505, other statutes. Nominally, Navy, make payment. refused grant mandamus, but, accordance modern practice, remedy. judgment, enjoining persisting refusal payment, concluded: directed plaintiff Thirteen Hundred Sixty-five Dollars ($1,365.00) equal months' rate received deceased death.' 1. Notice was, nevertheless, attorneys 18. issue raised until attorney called attention oral argument, occurred six-month passed. & N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions agree personal individual. collector revenue illegal exactions Revenue deemed enforceable anomalous situation calls abrogation instead extension. history actions, Cary Curtis, How. 236, 576, Nunnally Investment 316 258, 62 1064, 86 1455.6 2. starting point, then, recognition secure money effective conduit short, representative crucial question, submit, reach character 23 intrinsic merely formalistic answer question course entangled doctrine sovereign immunity suits. scores consider when nominally holding public barred want sovereign's consent sued. Larson Domestic Foreign Commerce Corp., 337 App. 729, 1457, 1481, 1628. subject, recognized, free casuistry natural, even unconscious, pressure escape which—whatever historic basis—is hardly based moral considerations. trend deep sentiment, reflected adjudication, looked askance doctrine. Keifer R.F.C., 306 381, 390—392, 59 516, 83 784. astuteness exercised deny order avoid identification ad hoc, runs counter rational administration justice hoc him, effect, circumscribed thereby. Under Claims gone Claims.7 march 3, 1887, she very allow, (trial jury), precisely sought obtained capacity, needlessly enthrone formality nature sovereign. situation. Certainly charged defending interests denominating 'Paymaster Navy' appeal, Attorney recognized were, alias real client Attorney. Government, indeed, consistently call Both disavowed disire abatement. Of course, fixed die nominal bow it, however harsh futile required represented Lord Campbell's tort liability survive victim. controlling office-holders. contrary, directly. also, look behind office-holder litigant all practical purposes, maintainable. equally open-eyed defendant. 25 seems spirit decision Thompson 103 480, 26 521. sure, Bradley differentiated municipality normally allow itself purposes differentiation disappears. remains These situations cannot come into play automatically recourse remedial form. gives ample scope avoids treating procedural requirements tyrannical commands satisfying end except sterile formality. 27 Accordingly, Government's force instrument whereby nothing novel observance decorous courts note record Navy Fox proceed basis.8 A final faced—a should, logic, treated first, decide 2105 U.S.C., provides: 'There appeals applicable, ground lack 'jurisdiction.' relates equivalent common plea abatement, trial joined merits case.9 29 CLARK, BLACK concurs, Since attached rested clear petitioner's After comply injunction, ceased him.1 Consequently lacked standing appeal.2 Thus conclusions 31 think Appeals' attention—after year—that buck perfected behalf own motion.3 took 1930, 514, appeared, petition certiorari. unanimous improvidently granted, stating: 32 'A motion Andrew Mellon, Agent, place Davis. denied. appears, completely separated invoke *. disregarded. invoked limited since expired. aside limitation subject prevailing (court below) uncertainty vexation prevent.' Id., page 408, 172, 514.4 33 concludes Preston inapposite case, unlike us, applicable prevented following point simply preceded Davis' pertinent statutes enable former concern properly allowed, action.5 appellee defendant's excuses perfect valid officers. places burden correcting adversary's error. From dissent. Rule 19(4) Rules U.S.C.A., provides 'the covered satisfactory office.' repealed September 992, 1000. date repealing rights liabilities existing laws (id., 992 39, preceding 1), governs We Act. material problem 28(b) governed 25(d), Civil Procedure, 'When territory, possession, state, county, city, governmental agency, takes Substitution pursuant supplemental pleading adopts continues threatens adopt continue predecessor enforcing averred violation Constitution Before made, affected, expressly assenting thereto, reasonable therefor accorded opportunity object.' exception enforce obligation corporation attached. 483, 521, explained 603, 873, Murphy Utter, 186 95, 101—102, 776, 778 779, 1070. 5, infra. earlier passage resulted 'at end.' Page 511, 869. practice writ, leaving undisturbed below. supra; Wattis Lane, 255 566, 447, 65 789; Payne Industrial Board, 613, 462, 790; Stevens, 260 705, 165, 67 473. Solicitor willingness 1923, 1443, 49 74(h), part: 'That 206 Transportation amended adding thereof new subdivisions follows: '(h) Actions, suits, proceedings, reparation claims, described (a), (c), (d), commenced prescribed, death, expiration term retirement, resignation, removal Director Railroads agent designated (despite 'An prevent actions,' approved 1899), prosecuted decree, award, award President office." Chapter 121 Laws provided: lawfully head Department Bureau event, filed, twelve thereafter, necessity settlement involved, equitable payment costs.' '(a) Territory insural possession '(b) Similar proceedings State, officer's '(c) consenting objection have.' 'In view inconvenience, striking instance, occasioned law, seem congress provide difficulty enacting heads departments abating petition, appropriate method.' 'It improper say promote enlarge suing courts, cease sufficient cases. important begun carried through much expense, dismissal because, consumed reaching here, officials, parties defect cure.' used Wright illustration testimony House 1922. Hearings H.R. 10479, 7. Cong.Rec. 2686, 2737. language concerning bills 1922 (S. 3164 1st Sess.), Graham, 1924 2060 8206, 68th Sess.) enacted, am partly responsible finding substantive extenuating responsibility deem suggest volume business proclude examination judicial materials opinions concurs. energies concentrated indispensable, insistent rigorous limiting will here. control business, Congress, gave Court—for purposes—a hand. Republic Peru, 318 578, 602—604, 63 793, 806, 807, 87 1014. 941 repealed. 869, repeal bar. Abatement governed, Courts, 25(d) also problems necessitated legislation. I.R.C. 3770(b), R.S. 3220, (authority reimburse collectors), 3772(d), 56 956. (Suits res judicata.) Campbell 80 Ct.Cl. 836; Hill 68 St.Cl. 740; Maxwell 727; Thomson 58 207; Phillips 703. 1908, railroad employee occurring operated General. ineffective agent. 461. requirement bar, itself. true, scarcely refuse give Devanter discussed effectiveness faced protecting suitors pitfalls passing Winslow recovery persons injured killed operation railroads. 'any award'. broad points reliance substance, rather form, section, (1946 ed.), 879, 1011, circuit error, court, fact.' 1789, either (i.e., Court) equity, demurrer, fact. *' Reviser's Note indicates 'matters abatement' 'plea terminology Rules. Cf. Board Commissioner Sellew, 1879, 99 624, 627, 333; Emanuel Jaeger, 1941, 117 488. Michigan-Ohio Bldg. 191; Porto Rican Sugar Saldana, 1935, 13. Appeal instant 73, times permitted district (circuit) days entry appealed shorter 60 entry, excusable neglect learn extent exceeding original herein prescribed. filing appeal. Failure Appellant take further steps validity specify taking *.' 73 goes Appeals, Drug Helvering, 1940, 108 637; Lamb Shasta Oil 1945, 149 729; Marten Hess, 1949, 176 834; Tinkoff West Pub. 1943, 138 607; St. Luke's Hospital Melin, 172 532; Spengler Hughes Tool 166; Walleck Hudspeth, 1942, 128 343; Maloney Spencer, 170 231, 233; dispensed waiver parties. 730; 835; 533. Compare Crump Hill, 1939, 104 36, Piascik Trader Navigation 178 886. Accord, Nudelman Globe Varnish 312 690, 61 621, 1126. remedy life premises. Sunshine Anthracite Coal Adkins, 310 402—403, 907, 917, 84 1263, said: privity government judicata relitigation another government. Tait Western Maryland 620, 706, 1405. represent controversy.'

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