Legal Document

341 U.S. 22 71 Supreme Court Reporter 557 95 L.Ed. 713 STATE ex rel. DYER et al.v.SIMS. Number 147. Argued Dec. 5, 1950. Decided April 9, 1951. [Syllabus from pages 22-23 intentionally omitted] Mr. John baron Hollister, Cincinnati, Ohio, for petitioners. Charles C. Wise, Charleston, W.Va., respondent. Justice FRANKFURTER delivered the opinion of Court. 1 After extended negotiations eight States entered into a Compact to control pollution in Ohio River system. See Valley Water Sanitation Compact, 54 Statutes-at-Large 752, 33 United Code Annotated KF65 U5 § 567a note. Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West recognized that they were faced with one problems government are defined by natural rather than political boundaries. Accordingly, pledged themselves cooperate maintaining waters basin sanitary condition through administrative mechanism Commission, consisting three members each State representing States. 2 The heart is Article VI. This provides sewage discharged boundary streams or flowing another 'shall be so treated, within time reasonable construction necessary works, as provide substantially complete removal settleable solids, not less forty-five per cent (45%) total suspended solids; provided that, order protect public health preserve other legitimate purposes, * specific instances such higher degree treatment shall used may determined Commission after investigation, due notice hearing.' Industrial wastes treated 'to Sewage industrial located wholly extent, if any, which maintain satisfactory at least equal interstate stream immediately above confluence.' IX may, hearing, issue orders compliance enforceable federal courts. It further provides: 'No go effect unless until it receives assent majority commissioners signatory States; no upon municipality, corporation, person entity any state.' 3 By X also agree appropriate salaries, office expenses, their proper proportion annual budget approved Governors *.' 4 present controversy arose because conflicting views between officials regarding responsibility under Compact. 5 Legislature ratified on March 11, 1939. W.Va.Acts 1939, chapter 38. Congress gave its consent July 1940, adoption all was formally executed Governor June 30, 1948. At 1949 session appropriated $12,250 State's contribution expenses fiscal year beginning 1, 1949. 1949, Item 93. Respondent Sims, auditor State, refused warrant treasury payment this appropriation. To compel him it, Commissioners instituted original mandamus proceeding Appeals Virginia. court denied relief merits 58 Southeastern KF135 S6 766, we brought case here, 340 807, 51, questions obviously important interest raised. 6 found 'sole question' before validity Act 1939 approving Virginia's adherence invalid (1) deemed delegate police power Federal Government, (2) bind future legislatures make appropriations continued activities thus violate X, Constitution. 7 Briefs filed behalf States, amici, invite consider far-reaching issues relating Clause I, 10, cl. 3. urges read allow withdraw obligations time. Kentucky York contend precludes limiting enter compact has consented. We must tempted these inviting vistas. need beyond binding State. That give jurisdiction review proceeding, 28 KF62 1257, needs discussion Delaware Joint Toll Bridge Comm. versus Colburn, 310 419, 427, 60 1039, 1040, 84 1287. 8 Control might, occasion, an subject national legislation. Compare Oklahoma Phillips Guy KF105 F3 Atkinson Co., 313 508, 61 1050, 85 1487. But, prescience, Framers left free settle regional controversies diverse ways. Solution problem underlying attempted directly affected contentious litigation Missouri 180 208, 21 331, 45 497, Id., 200 496, 26 268, 50 572; People Jersey, 256 296, 41 492, 65 937. Adjudication here interests affecting does rest law particular decides according 'principles have declare.' supra, page 519, 269. But delicacy relationships inherent limitations Court's ability deal multifarious local naturally led exacting standards judicial intervention inhibited formulation code dealing controversies. As Holmes put it: 'Before ought intervene, should serious magnitude, clearly fully proved, principle applied prepared deliberately against considerations side.' 521, 270. 9 Indeed, awkward unsatisfactory available litigious solution emphasize practical constitutional alternative Clause. Experience us suggest involved 'more likely wisely solved cooperative study conference mutual concession part representatives vitally interested proceedings however constituted.' 313, 498. suggestion had fruitful response. 10 growing interdependence interests, calling adjustments, extensive use compacts. A more supple device confined region. means safeguarding well illustrated now review. Not only congressional required, compacts; direct participation Government President's appointment Commission. IV; XI, 11 legal document. Though circumstances drafting assure great care deliberation, avoidance disputes scope meaning human gift. Just where there compact, final pass requires elaborate argument reject agreement solemnly those who alone authority speak can unilaterally nullified, given organ contracting cannot own ultimate judge sister determine nature whether arise legislative 'federal common law' governing controversies, Hinderlider La Plata & Cherry Creek Ditch 304 92, 110, 803, 811, 82 1202, function duty Nation. Of course every deference will shown what highest deems policy particularly when recondite unique features urged. Deference thing; submission determination undertaken obligation, obligation is, conflicts disability undertake quite another. 12 exclusively tribunal construing her Two prior decisions clear, however, examine determinations courts limited field brings rights 13 Commonwealth 281 163, 275, 74 784, dealt build bridge across River. In action Court, Indiana defended ground she compelled perform decided, pending case, been authorized compact. Chief Hughes, speaking unanimous dismissed argument: 'Where them, neither inter sese, question essential determination, although legislation state authorization involved. (Commonwealth of) (State Virginia, Wall. 39, 56, 20 67; 220 28, 31 330, 55 353. decision instance would here.' 176—177, 278. 14 reaching conclusion could hardly avoid analogizing situation raised impaired contract. 'It frequently held suitably contract, violation provision, itself contract exists, obligations, While always examines respect bearing questions, do detract conclusions impair ment, otherwise guaranty properly enforced. Larson South Dakota, 278 429, 433, 49 196, 73 441, cases cited.' 176, And see Anderson Brand, 303 95, 100, 443, 446, 685. 15 second cases. makes needed, fact reach writ certiorari way affect Colorado enjoin performance Mexico concerning water appropriation guaranteed 101 Colo. 73, 70 Pacific Reporter, 2nd Series 849; 93 128, 25 187. Brandeis, likewise relative claims citizens reversed court. 16 authority, Constitution, citizens. involves delegation agency funds agency. 17 legislature body rules decide axioms modern government. challenge general proposition but objects outside free, time, delegated. concerned, deal, language constitution requiring without delegating What conventional grant power. find nothing indicate solve river delegation, be, effectuate If exercise jurisdiction, decree abate streams, determining obligation. alter it; disregard occasion creditably recognized. fixed basis master's report. Here, bound effective carefully Nothing Constitution suggests wait answer dictated harassing litigation. 18 Brandeis said applies court: ignores history development two adjusting compact—the means—adapts our Union sovereign age-old treaty-making independent nations. Adjustment quasi-judicial existing practiced Colonies, extensively nearly half century first settling dispute Rhode Island Massachusetts, Pet. 657, 723 725, 1233.' 104, 808. 19 conflict 4, reason section debt contracted except meet casual deficits revenue, redeem previous liability suppress insurrection, repel invasion, defend war; ordinary equally distributed over period twenty years.' evidently drawn limitation light similar restrictive provisions constitutions Although, addition, V 'The incur kind making adequate same; nor pledge credit thereof.' view provisions, conclude constitution. Reversed remanded. BLACK concurs result. 23 REED (concurring). 24 N Immigration Nationality Decisions concur judgment disagree assertion interpret accept court's interpretation say palpable evasion rule.1 There law, clause impairing Obligation Contracts.2 Under latter clause, subsequent statutory, impairs prohibition impairment contracts, asserted construe disputed agreement, statute contract.3 Even then 'manifestly wrong.'4 Examination Contract Clause, enforce provision made impaired.5 adjudges violated , execution, federally compacts.6 controls state's application Supremacy implied law. 27 execution creation powers. Since relations, compacts enforced despite valid restrictions action. This, think, holding 1202. executive abandonment citizen's previously acquired rights, 104 108, 808 810. concluded: 'Whether apportionment upper lower claimants, even granted compact.' 106, 809. 29 For reliance placed 1233, compacts, said: 'By surrender power, vested state, contested boundaries, plenitude sovereignty might; them war, peace, treaty, permission new states existence respective several grants conventions people. congress consented, restored sovereignty; being sole imposed constitution, given, whereby became force, finally settled them; operating same treaty powers.' 30 uphold reverse refusing mandamus, direction inconsistent based JACKSON 32 induced She attempts herself out reading powers internal affairs, will. system vitality integrity, raise ultra vires, release consequences flow formal consented 34 points clear fair warning defect extent required. 1233; Poole Fleeger's Lessee, 185, 209, 680. Whatever says means, apply retroactively place unforeseeable entitled believe act. 35 Estoppel often invoked assumed contractual equals field. positions terms covenant, estopped repudiating reason, whatever generalities judgment. Pac. R. company Public Service commission Missouri, 248 67, 39 24, 63 131. U.S.Constitution, 10. Appleby City 271 364, 380, 46 569, 573, 992; P2 King Mfg. Council Augusta, 277 114, 48 489, 494, 72 801; Coombes Getz, 285 434, 52 435, 436, 76 866. Hale Iowa Board Assessment Review, 302 101, 102, 103, 72. Coolidge Long, 282 582, 597, 51 306, 309, 75 562. 428, 1041, 1287, said, 'Hence address ourselves Compact'. last paragraph opinion.

Classification Label: 10