Legal Document

364 U.S. 19 80 Supreme Court Reporter 1470 4 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 1540 CONTINENTAL GRAIN COMPANY, Petitioner,v.THE Barge FBL-585 and Federal Lines, Incorporated Number 229. Argued April 20, 1960. Decided June 27, Mr. Eberhard Pacific KF135 P2 Deutsch, New Orleans, La., for petitioner. George baron Matthews, respondents. Justice BLACK delivered the opinion of Court. 1 The single issue presented decision in this case is whether District acting under 28 Code KF62 § 1404(a), Annotated KF65 U5 erred ordering that action damages to cargo from alleged unseaworthiness be transferred trial, 'in interest justice,' at Memphis, Tennessee, where sinking barge occurred. Appeals affirmed Court's transfer order. 268 Reporter, 2nd 240. We granted certiorari consider important question. 361 811, 79, 59. 2 facts circumstances on which are these. FBL—585, a respondent here an ancient admiralty fiction, owned by Inc., other respondent. After was partially loaded petitioner, Continental Grain Co., with its soybeans wharf sank, causing damage both soybeans. A dispute arose over what caused it sink. owner, brought Tennessee state court charging sank because had been negligent loading it. owner later Orleans against complaint, vessel sunk defects unseaworthiness, claiming injury cargo. In meantime grain company removed Memphis. While litigation arising out occurrence posture Memphis courts, barge-owner defendant, filed motion accompanying affidavits s 1404(a) 'this action' alleging such 'necessary convenience parties witnesses justice. * *' This followed language provides: 3 'For witnesses, justice, district may any civil or division might have brought.' found 5 'that is, cause casualty, precisely bar. great majority dictates tried efficient administration justice requires claim same trying hull damage, claims being between parties, relate incident.' 6 These findings were well supported evidence, approved Appeals, not challenged here, we accept them. case, therefore, if will bring about exactly kind mischievous consequences 'the justice' designed prevent, unnecessary inconvenience expense public. 7 argues frustration basic purpose Congress passing compelled section prevents 'civil than one 'where Two weeks ago decided Hoffman versus Blaski Sullivan Behimer, 363 335, 1084, bars properly pending another could defendant legally subjected suit there time when originally filed. Those cases involved transfers plaintiffs filing suits would no right whatever proceed defendants actions' Courts sought without defendants, consent. But admittedly part subject barge, consent, brought. Under these plainly violate express command as construed our two prior cases, reverse judgment unless barred joinder rem itself. takes view effect joinder, arguing since therefore time, entire must remain inconvenient forum. reached labeling two, owner. It asserts despite fact company's complaint loss producing damages. basis distinct actions purposes long-standing fiction assumed person lawsuit enforcing judgment.1 8 relied upon has critics even field serve. referred 'archaic,' 'an animistic survival remote times,' 'irrational' 'atavistic.'2 Perhaps going too far certainly real existence context day generation created. among others, allow ships owning ship reached, can very useful still. asked however, transplant salt-water into dry-land forum non conveniens, usefulness possibilities good questionable best. fact, appears relevance determination most conveniently tried. born provide convenient forums should weapon defeat purpose. 9 hesitated past refuse apply way cut down, scope congressional enactments. Bradley, speaking Court, said construing statute limited shipowner's liability but failed refer 'personal' vessel: 10 'To say liable, his seems us like talking riddles. man's demand him measured amount property taken satisfy demand. matter liability, man cannot separated *.' City Norwich, 118 468, 503, 1150, 1162, 30 L.Ed. 134. 11 Fifty-seven years confronted similar argument statute, after referring analysis Norwich concluded, 12 'The riddle more half century repeated different does appear improved age. shall 'answer for' Claimant says means he answer only ship. never except property, execution body legislative contemplation. There practical exoneration did exempt property.' Consumers Import Kabushiki Kaisha Kawasaki Zosenjo, 320 249, 253—254, 64 15, 17, 88 30. 13 follow common- sense approach interpreting 1404(a). Failure do so practically scuttle conveniens concerned. All plaintiff need escape entirely ship, done here. all unfortunate courts long recognized 'admiralty's slight regard formal matters,'3 and, recently observed, 14 'Admiralty practice, served origin much modern federal procedure, tied mast legal technicalities forerunner eliminating practices.' British Transport Comm. States, 354 129, 139, 77 1103, 1108, 1234. 15 relevant law itself unconcerned technical distinctions personam transferring Admiralty Rule 54, U.S.C.A., prescribes procedures owners' limiting their vessels libeled, provides broader 1404(a): may, discretion, proceedings parties.' And further observed felt themselves bound involve res judicata ship.4 interesting connection take note that, according opinion, already tried.5 To permit situation involving issues simultaneously leads wastefulness energy money prevent. Moreover, conductive race diligence litigants trial each prefers. additional reasons why made ambiguous importation irrelevant fictions. 16 idea behind vindicate wrong—however court—presents make another, judge can, findings, whole court. That exists Although technically obvious advantages result, alternative bringing although enforceable entity economic paid satisfaction come owner's pocket—including possibility levy prayed 'personified' relief. crucial fault suffered identical, considered identical. Thus, while methods invoked enforce it, substance adjudicate rights all. Treating they this—inseparable parts merely permits try 'might construe carries design protect litigants, public expense, shelter costly forums. 17 For stated affirmed. 18 Affirmed. FRANKFURTER, whom HARLAN joins. 20 also involves some nice questions claimant moved agreed 'pay final decree rendered against', controlling considerations me those set forth my 1960, 351, 1084. Accordingly, & N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions affirm judgment. 21 WHITTAKER, DOUGLAS joins, dissenting. 22 think true faced, controlled fails recognize face fact—that Barge, attachment 'device' force appearance security payment recovered personified 'debtor offending thing' settled authorizes1—which gives rise principal question produces disagreement. Indeed, endeavors sweep 'under rug.' now undertake plain chronological statement simple facts. 23 On July 2, 1958, Company,2 libel Ind.,3 FBL—585 ('Barge'), side Eastern Louisiana, Division—where then was, ever been, located—to recover sum $90,000 petitioner's cargo, consequent partial November 6, 1957. damage; cited answer; process 'Barge FBL 585 persons libel,' condemned sold pay due libelant herein.' 24 process, issued before actual arrest thereunder, 23, letter addressed latter accepted acted on, saying, pertinent part, that: 'In consideration your having seized (the barge), required post usual bond release vessel, (w)e agree file (shall file) pleadings action, (whether the) (be) lost not, proceeding.' last paragraph said: 25 'It intent undertaking claimant-respondent proceeding be, custody Marshal released bond, we, claimant, reserving behalf objections defenses otherwise available predicated actually seized.' 26 29, proceeded herein, claim(ed) pray(ed) permitted defend law'; September 18, libel. 27 October 13, Western Division, ground necessary affidavit attached hereto hereof.'4 hearing, ordered requested movant, judge, Interlocutory Act, 1292(b), 'certified order substantial difference immediate appeal materially advance ultimate termination litigation.'5 Petitioner allowed 1292(b).6 court, relying heavily Ex parte Blaski, Cir., 245 737, 240, 29 fair application reat though, filed, seized, Claim stipulation abide sureties executed Claimant, formally released,' held inasmuch consented 'to unlimited submission (to Court) though initially,' 'presents conceptual difficulties,' '(t)he res, nor attempt still Court'; when, 'bond (stipulation)' given substituted '(t)raditional notions affected floats wherever navigates it.' Id., pages 243, 244. disputed libel, insofar personam, petitioner respondent, jurisdiction entertain amenable service monition there. Hence, Inc.—i.e., omitted Barge—it District, But, agree, join Barge.7 forum, mistake forum.' respondent's ask indeed severed kept other—a dealt opinion. Instead rem, partly transferred, located, libellant 31 treats 'single' treatment simply ignores Of course, confronts us, brought' hence, elsewhere action,' Barge. decide denying ignoring created One Therefore, words brought,' meaning. 32 Petitioner, established principle located,8 possibly, accustomed practice admiralty, where, (vessel) 'during pendency (issued libel),'9 contends located Louisiana prosecuted power, 1404(a),10 respondents' waiver venue jurisdiction, libellant. contention accords Behimer 33 respondents contend provision empowered 44 mere showing convenience, district. wholly merit. 44,11 authorizes formulate local rules expressly 'cases provided 'any action'—which phrase includes admiralty12—is prescribed statute. Section limits power supra. derive substantive law. Nor purported promulgate applicable rule practice. 34 Respondents next applies actions, preclude claimant-respondent, prevented procured giving acceptable security, moves agrees submit transferee They argue authority device converted accordingly (but libellant)13 finding argument. criticizes doctrine personification 'perhaps (it) ship) 'atavistic" (citing Carlotta, 48 110, 112), suggest numerous adhered 'fiction' 150 overruled—something understand, late day. Instead, brush them aside fail 35 device. From earliest history present consistently remis essentially debtor thing; impleaded judged sentenced.14 Rounds Cloverport Foundry Machine 237 303, 596, 59 966, Hughes, distinguishing hand, attachments 36 'Actions concurrent afford personal category. Belfast, Wall. 624, 266; Taylor Carryl, How. 583, 598, 599, 1028, 1033, 1034; Robert W. Parsons, generally, runs specifically providing lien, auxiliary remedy personam. Leon Galceran, 185, 74; see Johnson Chicago, etc., Elevator 119 388, 398, 399, 254, 447, 450, 451; Knapp, S. McCaffrey, 177 638, 646, 648, 824, 921, 925, 926.' page 307, 597. 37 absence necessarily exonerate itself.15 If, example, bareboat charter result negligence her crew, liable lie owner.16 Likewise, damaged wrong follows hands innocent purchaser, personam.17 Similarly, resulting operation independent pilot whose control confined, personam.18 38 Court,19 holding exonerating shipowners certain liabilities casualty losses sea, similarly intended i.e., ships, liabilities, inapposite. interpretation particular statutes, deal with, destroy, recognized, historic distinction rem. discussed touch transferability case. limitation proceeding, specially covered Rule, claim. Rather exclusively governed 39 'offending thing,' suit, sued, acceptance 'letter undertaking,' prevent physical 'precisely effective accordance terms disputed. early procure stands court.20 Inasmuch just substitute accepting convert 40 finally sued possible voluntarily enter so,21 effect. Whether conferred consent either brought, territorial decide, such, but, rather, independently wishes claimant-respondent. ruled negative reversed. 'A living inanimate things. Servants sometimes 'she' clock, every gender vessels. surprised, find mode dealing shown extraordinary vitality criminal applied striking thoroughness Admiralty. supposing treated endowed personality, arbitrary seeming peculiarities maritime intelligible, supposition once become consistent logical.' Holmes, Common Law (1881), 26—27. 1931, 112, 1931 Am.Mar.Cas. 742, 745, quoted Gilmore Black, (1957), 508. Point Landing, Alabama Dry Dock Shipbuilding 261 861, 866, 1959 148, 155. See Burns Bros. Central R. 1953, 202 910, 1953 718; Nitrate Producers' S.S. 1919, 262 KF105 F3 371; Bailey Sundberg, 1892, 49 583; 507 509. 242, A.M.C. 2158, 2160, 2. infra. Company, Delaware corporation maintaining office York, authorized doing business Tennessee. corporation, common carrier water, operating Mississippi River tributaries, offices in, places, Tenessee, Louisiana. averments (1) Berge Circuit Shelby County, 1957, (2) reside nearer Orleans. unpublished per curiam said, inter alia, FBL—585. orginally ordinarily restricted place At now, However, neither bonded respond entered thereof, apparently financially able best Tennessee.' stayed transfer, appeal. Newell Norton, 257, 271; re Fassett, 142 479, 484, 295, 297, 1087 ('The determine question, attachment, Fassett *.'); Resolute, 168 437, 442, 114, 42 533; Turner 134, 136. Ann, Cranch 289, 291, 734; Miller 268, 294, 135; Mack, 295 480, 55 813, 815, 79 1559; Clinton Foods 188 292; Fettig Canning Steckler, 715, 717—718. Cf. Torres Walsh, 221 319, 321; Broussard Jersbek, D.C., 140 F.Supp. 851, 852—853. Notwithstanding (28 Page 5226, U.S.C.A.) within district,' told common, universal, jurisdictional libels recites 'That or, during Court.' Internatio-Rotterdam, Thomsen, 218 514, 515—516—in aspects anomalous '§ 1404. Change venue. '(a) 44. 'Right Trial Make Rules Practice regulate manner deem expedient inconsistent rules.' 515, Collett, 337 55, 58, 69 944, 946, 959, 93 1207; National 78, 955, 1226. brief: contend, error hold, coercive proper. concept forums, moving party secondary transferred.' Nothing history, suggests unilateral objective guise interpretation, ascribe discriminatory 344, 1090. Mary, 126, 144, 678; Moses Taylor, 411, 397; Glide, 167 606, 930, 296; 191 8, 73; 306—307, 597, 966. 'Such treating juristic acts omissions, personnel, which, person, she responsible, Canadian Aviator, Ltd., 324 215, 224, 65 639, 644, 89 l.ed. 901. Barnstable, 181 464, 684, 45 954. 'settled ship-owner only, master crew selected charterer, responsible acts.' China, 53, 70, 67. 'privilege' lien accompanies bona fide purchaser.' Vandewater Mills, 82, 89, 554. 68, 67; John G. Stevens, 170 113, 544, 969. Homer Ramsdell Transp. La Compagnie Generale Transatlantique, 182 406, 831, 1155. 134; 17—18, Palmyra, Wheat. 1, 10, 531; Webb, 418, 774; Wanata, 95 600, 611, 461; Ames, 99 35, 295. Judge Woolsey's perceptive K. Welding Gotham Marine Corp., D.C.S.D.N.Y., 47 332, summarized follows: value complete alone sufficient give presence court's custody.' Admiralty, 650—651. 335.

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