McKendry v. United States
McKendry v. United States
Opinion of the Court
There are here pending two appeals from orders in connection with the condemnation of fee simple title to three hundred sixty acres of land in Kern County, California, which is owned by appellants. The declared purpose of the taking was that this realty would be used in the expansion of Edwards Air Force Base. On February 27, 1953, complaint in the action and declaration of taking
Upon motion of appellants, the court ordered $194,402.73 paid from the sum on deposit on their account.* Thereafter, when the United States had filed a motion for immediate possession of the parcel, appellants moved to set aside the declaration of taking and the judgment entered pursuant thereto, and at the same time moved to dismiss the condemnation proceeding. Both these motions were denied by Hon. Campbell Beaumont, district judge, on March 23, 1954, and at the same time it was ordered that the premises should be surrendered on May 22, 1954. On May 10, 1954, a minute order was entered confirming the previous holding, but postponing time for surrender until July 24, 1954. These appeals were taken from the orders of March 23, 1954 and May 10,1954.
The government urges that the appeal is premature and should be dismissed, since no final order is involved.
The government goes further and makes an alternative motion for affirmance of the judgment because appellants drew down part of the money deposited with the declaration. But the statute above cited was passed for the express purpose of allowing the government possession and use of the land involved without awaiting termination of interminable litigation.
The government is on the horns of a dilemma. Either the order vesting title can be reviewed upon appeal from final judgment or the order is final and can now be appealed.
The appeals are premature and are dismissed.
. 40 U.S.C.A. | 258a.
. “Upon the application of the parties in interest, the court may order that the money deposited in the court, or any part thereof, be paid forthwith * * 40 U.S.C.A. § 258a.
. The latest opinion of this Court on final orders is Libby, McNeill & Libby v. Alaska Industrial Board, 9 Cir., 215 F.2d 781.
. There is express procedure for revesting of title in the former owner by consent. “In any condemnation proceeding instituted by or on behalf of the United States, the Attorney General is authorized to stipulate or agree in behalf of the United States to exclude any property or any part thereof, or any interest therein, that may have been, or may be, taken by or on behalf of the United States by declaration of taking or otherwise.” 40 U.S.C.A. § 258f.
For comparison, see United States v. 44.00 Acres of Land, D.C., 110 F.Supp. 168.
. “The two principal purposes of Congress, in making provision in the Declaration of Taking Act for the estimating of just compensation and the depositing of the amount thereof in court, undoubtedly were to minimize the interest burden of the Government in a condemnation proceeding, and to alleviate the temporary hardship to the landowner and the occupant from the immediate taking and deprivation of possession. United States v. Miller, 317 U.S. 369, 381, 63 S.Ct. 276, 283, 87 L.Ed. [336]; Atlantic Coast Line R. Co. v. United States, 5 Cir., 132 F.2d 959.” United States v. 1,997.66 Acres of Land, 8 Cir., 137 F.2d 8, 11.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- E. S. McKENDRY and Pancho Barnes v. United States
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- Published