King v. Santa Fe Pacific R. Co., 329 U.S. 591 (1947)

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King v. Santa Fe Pacific Railroad Co.

No. 97 and 98

Argued January 6, 7, 1947
Decided February 3, 1947
329 U.S. 591

CERTIORARI TO THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS

FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Syllabus

1. A release filed by a land grant railroad pursuant to § 321(b) of the Transportation Act of 1940, as a condition to collecting commercial rates on transportation for the Government, extinguishes the right of the railroad to select lands in lieu of lands originally acquired under the Act of 1866 in aid of construction but relinquished under the Acts of 1874 and 1904. Pp. 596-59.

2. Congress intended by the 1940 Act that a release filed pursuant thereto should bar any future claims arising out of any or all of the land grant acts so far as such claims arise from originally granted, indemnity, or lieu lands. P. 598.

153 F.2d 305 reversed.

Respondent railroad company brought two suits in the District Court to compel the Secretary of the Interior to determine respondent’s right to "lieu" lands, without regard to a release filed by respondent pursuant to § 321(b) of the Transportation Act of 1940. The District Court dismissed the complaints on the merits. 57 F.Supp. 984. The Court of Appeals reversed. 80 U.S.App.D.C. 360, 153 F.2d 305. This Court granted certiorari. 328 U.S. 832. Reversed, p. 598.