Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Co. v. Huffman, 319 U.S. 293 (1943)

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Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Co. v. Huffman

No. 849

Argued May 5, 6, 1943
Decided May 24, 1943
319 U.S. 293

CERTIORARI TO THE CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS

FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT

Syllabus

1. In the light of its opinion, findings, and conclusions of law, the District Court’s dismissal of the suit rests wholly upon its declaration that, as applied to the plaintiffs, the state statute is constitutional, and its judgment is, in effect, a declaratory judgment. P. 295.

2. Where federal courts, in the exercise of their jurisdiction to render declaratory judgments, are called on to adjudicate what are essentially equitable causes of action, they are free upon equitable grounds to grant or withhold the relief prayed, and considerations which have led federal courts of equity to refuse to enjoin the collection of state taxes, save in exceptional cases, require a like restraint in the use of the declaratory judgment procedure. P. 300.

3. It is in the public interest that federal courts of equity should exercise their discretionary power to grant or withhold relief so as to avoid needless obstruction of the domestic policy of the States, and when asked to enjoin an unconstitutional state tax, it is their duty to withhold relief when state law with the right of appeal to this Court affords adequate protection. P. 300.

4. In a suit in the federal district court against a state officer charged with the administration and enforcement of the Louisiana Unemployment Compensation Law, brought by plaintiffs engaged in navigation and operation of vessels used in improving navigable waters of the State, and praying a declaratory judgment that the state law, as applied to them and their employees, is unconstitutional, it was the duty of the court to withhold such relief, it appearing that, under the state law, a taxpayer who pays a challenged tax to the appropriate state officer may maintain a suit for reimbursement. P. 300.

5. The Acts of August 21, 1937 and August 30, 1935 do not require a result different from that here reached. P. 301.

134 F.2d 213 affirmed.

Certiorari, 318 U.S. 754, to review the affirmance of a judgment, 43 F.Supp. 981, dismissing a suit for a declaratory judgment.