Knights of Pythias of North America v. Grand Lodge of Knights of Pythias of North America
Knights of Pythias of North America v. Grand Lodge of Knights of Pythias of North America
Opinion of the Court
This’ appeal is from a decree in the Supreme Court of the District upon a mandate of this court in the original case, reversing the former decree of the trial court, with directions to enter a decree in conformity with the opinion of this court.
The original suit was instituted by the present appellee against appellants to enjoin appellants from enforcing an order of suspension and resolution revoking appellee’s charter, and from collecting any unpaid portion of a certain tax alleged to have been unlawfully levied by appellants. This court found that ample ground existed for the suspension of appellee without reference to appellee’s refusal to pay the alleged illegal tax. The court said:
“The failure of the plaintiff [appellee here] ‘to pay’ the lawful taxes imposed when due is mentioned as an additional reason for the suspension, but it is clearly apparent that the principal reason was the issuance of the circular in the circumstances mentioned.”
The court, therefore, did not deem it necessary to consider the question as to the legality of the assessment. Inasmuch as no hearing had been given appellee before the revocation of its charter, so much of the decree as set aside the revocation was affirmed. 49 App. D. C. -, 258 Fed. 275. Upon the issuance of this court’s mandate, the court below entered a decree the third paragraph of which recites that this court in its opinion reversing the decree below—
“deemed it unnecessary to consider the contentions of the defendants herein, appellants in the said cause (and appellants here), as to the legality of the tax complained of by the plaintiff. * * * It is further adjudged, ordered, and decreed that determination of the legality of said tax be and the same hereby is reserved until, if at all, it shall be undertaken to be the basis of any further action by the defendant order, the Knights of Pythias, against the plaintiff; and for this purpose this cause is retained for such amendatory or supplemental pleadings as shall or may hereafter be allowed by this court on the application of any of the parties, plaintiff or defendant hereto, and for such further orders and decrees as may hereafter by the court be deemed just and proper.”
Appellants attack this part of the decree below. In the original proceeding the appéllee challenged the order of suspension, the resolution revoking its charter, and the collection of the tax in question. The third question was only incidental, for, unless the preceding question’s should be determined in appellee’s favor, that question was immaterial.
Modified and affirmed.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS OF NORTH AMERICA, SOUTH AMERICA, EUROPE, ASIA, AFRICA, AND AUSTRALIA v. GRAND LODGE OF KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS OF NORTH AMERICA, SOUTH AMERICA, EUROPE, ASIA, AND AFRICA
- Status
- Published