Court Opinion

ID: 9421793
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-02 22:59:53.871035+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:22:32.456485
License: Public Domain

Mr. Justice Stewart,
with whom Mr. Justice Douglas and Mr. Justice Whittaker join,
dissenting.
I do not agree that disposition of this case is controlled by the decision in Rex Trailer Co. v. United States, 350 U. S. 148. Believing that §26 (b)(1) of the Surplus Property Act of 1944, 40 U. S. C. §.489 (b)(1), imposes a civil penalty,-and that an action thereunder is therefore subject to the five-year limitation provided in 28 U. S. C. § 2462,1 would reverse. Cf. United States ex rel. Marcus v. Hess, 317 U. S. 537; Erie Basin Metal Products, Inc., v. United States, 150 F. Supp. 561 (Ct. Cl.). See Priebe & Sons v. United States, 332 U. S. 407.