U.:NJTEI) STAtES V. DILL.
still other roads by consolidation,and took possession, of others by lea;le;' It was all Insolvent tion, and it came Into court pleading Its insolvency; and asking the court to take possession of its entire property, and administer it for the benefit of all concerned. There was then but a single corporation, owning many pieces of property, having possession of others by lease, which separate pieces of property were, many of them, covered by underlying mortgages. As a single corperation, it was also in debt to an amount exceeding $3,000,000 of floating indebtedness, and. yet of that character of Indebtedness which, by the decision of the supreme court, was preferred to all mortgages. Thus the preferential debts of three millions "and over were apriQr lien upon all the roads belonging to the Wabash,-not a lien upon one diVision, and no lien upon another, but a lien upon each and all of them, prior In right to every mortgage, general or local, junior or senior. It made no difference where those obligations were incurred,-whether in the operation of one line or another. They were obligations of the single debtor, and enforceable In law against every part of its property. In a case of a complicated railroad system like this Wabash, not only were they at law the obligations of one debtor enforceable against all its property, but in equity also they were chargeable upon all its property."
Until proceedings are had, either in this case or in a consolidated cause wherein an order shall be made for the sale of the property, and out of which a fund shall arise, the court cannot give this intervening claimant such relief as will discharge his claim; but, having recognized an equitable priority in his favor, the court will exercise such jurisdiction as may be necessary in a proper case.
UNITED STATES v. DILL. (Olrcult Court of Appeals, Third Circuit. No.2" 1. UNITED STATES MARSHALS-FEES-ATTENDANCE BEFORE COMMISSIONER,
March 18, 1898.)
A marshal is entitled to fees for attendance by deputy at examinations before a commissioner, though the deputy was paid for attendance on the same day on the district or circuit courts. 78 Fed. 614, affirmed. A marshal having made a charge of 40 cents each for returns of nihil habet, and it appearing that in the state practice two such returns were treated as equal to a service, that the charge should be allowed. 78' Fed. 614, affirmed. The marshal is entitled to a fee for necessary attendance on court on Sunday, though the judge was not actually present. 78 Fed. 614, affirmed.
2. SAME-RETURNS OF NIHIL HABET.
8. SAME-ATTENDANCE ON SUNDAY.
4. SAME-COMPENSATION FOR GUARDS.
The marshal is entitled to be reimbursed, as a contingent expense, for money ltctually paid for guards for prisoners attending court.. 78 Fed. 614, affirmed.
5. SAME-MiLEAGE.
The marshal is not entitled to mileage In going to serve warrants of removal and commitment, where he has been paid 10 cents per mile for transportation of the prisoner on the same warrant at the same time. 78 .B'ed. 614, reversed. 'fhe marshal is not entitled to fees for serving warrants of commitment. 78 Fed. 614, reversed.
6.
SAME-SERVING WARRANTS OF COMMITMENT.
In Error to the District Court of the United States for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
80
86
FEDERAL REPORT'ElR.
This 11 petition by Catharine S. Dill, sole executrix of the last will and testament of Andrew H. Dill, decea.sed, praying. judgment against the United States for the sum of $758.16, claimed as due to her for liervices rendered by Andrew H. Dill as a marshal of the United States fO[' the Eastern district o[Penns.vlvania. In the circuit court judgmept.wasgiven for plainti:ffiD. the sum of$75!.86, with costs. 78 Fed. 618. The United States thereupon sued out this wrIt of error. In the court below counsel for the respective parties submitted the fol· lOWing statement: It Is agreed that the charges for mileage, expenses, and rendition of services set forth. In the petition ,filed are correct; that the expenses were actually paid, and the sll.J.d were actually rendered. It is further agreed that all the items In the petition tiled, both for expenses incurred and fees earned, were embodied in the various accounts of the said Andrew H. Dill" deceased, during the years mentioned in the said, petition, which said accounts were examined and passed upon by the then "C'nited States district attorney, and formally approved by this court. Tbevarlous items of claim ,set forth In the said petition are grouped In the schedule heretoattache!l: (1) Amount earned, and not received, for attending by deputy at examinations before a commissioner during years 1887 and 1888, $328. A United States marshal'is entitled to charge for the attendance of himself and his deputies before United States commissioners on the same days on which cirCUit or district courts are in session, and fees for attendance on these courts are charged and paid. Saunders v. U. 8., 73 Fed. 792; U. S. v. Kerns. Counsel for the United States contends that said deputies were not entitled to said pay, for the reason that, on the days for which they charge for attendance before United States commis· sioners, they were actually paid attendance upon the district and circuit courts as bailiffs; that duplicate }ilerdleIDll.llre, not authorized; and, further, that the treasury department has disallowed the charges embraced in this particular Item of claim. It is; hOwever, admitted that, similar charges for attendance of deputy marshals under the same circumstances were subsequently allowed to Marshal Dill during the years 1889 and 1890, and have been allowed by the treasury . .' department uP. to the present. time. (2) Amount earned, and not receivea,for travel in going only to serve war· rants of removal, and warrauts of commitment dming the years 1887, 1888, 1881), and 1890,' $141.18. This charge is authorized by paragraph 25, § 829, Rev. St., viz.: "For travel in going to serve any process warrant, attachment or other writs. six cents a mile to be computed," etc. If the disallowance is because a charge has been made for transportation of the prisoner, this is not a valid reason. Paragraph 20 of section 829 prOVides, "for transporting crimi· nals ten cents a mile for himself and for each prisoner 'and necessary guard." In the case of Tanner v. U. S. (decided in the court of claims in 1889) 25 Ct. Cl. 68 (a case in point), .Tudge Davis said: "It appears that for fifteen years the accounting officers .consistently construed the statute as authorizing the parment to the marshal of the two fees,-one for travel In the service of a war· rant of commitment; the other for transporting the criminal named In the war· rant. The construction giYen to a statute by those charged with the duty of executing it is always entitled to the most respectful consideration, and ought not to be overruled without cogent reasons." The court found as conclusions of law thnt the claimant recover the sum of $128.16 fees for mileage. In the case of U. S. v. Kerns, U. S. Dist. Ct., Aug. 'Sess. 1888, No.4, this court allowed services for return mileage where mm'shal has secured or. delivered a prisoner pursuant to warrant of arrest or removal. Harmon v. U. S., 43 Fed. 560. Counsel for the United States contends that this item of claim is unauthorized, as the statutes nowhere allow a marshal six cents per mile in addition to the ten cents per mile for .transportation ,on the same warrant at the same time. l'he treasury department disallowed this Item for this reason. (3) Serving warrants of commitment in 1887, 1888, and 1889, $60. Saunders v. F. S., 73 792. A mittimus for the commitment of a prisoner is a warrant, for the service of which on such prisoner the marshal is entitled, under Rev. St. § 829, to a fee of $2. In these cases writ was served upon the prisoner,
UNITED STATES V. DILL.
81
not upon the jailer. In U. S. v. Kerns, supra, the court allowed defendants charges for fees for temporary commitments. Also, see Turner v. U. S., 19 ot. Cl. 629; Heyward v. U. S., 37 Fed. 764; Hoyne v. U. -S., 38 Fed. 542. Counsel for the United States contends that the claim in this item was disallowed by the treasury department for the reason that the writ was served upon the jailer, and not upon the defendants. This item is composed of charges for service of warrants of commitment upon defendants where there was more than one defendant. The fee allowed by law for executing a warrant of commitment where two or more persons are committed under the same warrant is $2. (4) Travel. Deputy marshal in 1887 to serve at Richmond, Franklin county, 100 miles, at 6 cents, making a total of $11.40. Of this amount, $5,()4 allowed, being for 84 miles' travel from Harrisburg, where writ was issued.-$6.36. Having no deputy at Harrisburg at the time the warrant was issued, the commissioner forwarded warrant to Marshal Dill, at Philadelphia. The distance to serve writ. The route taken was the most direct. traveled was The evident intention of congress was to give the officer 6 cents a mile for every mile actually and necessarily traveled, by the most direct, practical route, in going to serve the writ. In U. S. v. Kerns, supra, this court entertained a question regarding the services of venires kindred to the above. in principle,. and awarded full claim of mileage. Counsel for the United States states that the original claim was for $11.40. Of this amount, the treasury department allowed the sum of $5.04, being the mileage from Harrisburg, where the warrant was issued, to Richmond, where it was served, and disallowed the mileage from Philadelphia to Harrisburg, for the reason that section 82'J, Rev. St., only allows a marshal mileage from the place where the warrant is served to the place where it was returned. (5) Total amount of mileage earned, and not receiVed, for travel in going only to serve jury summons during 1887-1888, $24.82. Section 82<J, par. 25, before quoted, provides: "For travel in going only to serve any process, warrant attachment or other writ, * * * six cents a mile. * * * But where more than two writs of any kind required to be served in behalf of the same party on the same person might be served at the same time. the marshal shall be entitled to compensation on only two of such writs." The jury summonses in question were all served upon different persons, and there is nothing in this paragraph restraining or controlling the journeys of the marshal or deputies in performing his duty. The mileage was clearly and legally earned. Saunders v. U. S., 73 Fed. 783, and Harmon v. U. S., 43 Fed. 560, decide that a marshal may charge for travel upon two or more writs. against different persons, served at the same time and place. This court allowed this claim in U. S. v. Kerns, supra. Counsel for the United States contends that this is double mileage; that the marshal is only allowed for travel in service of one writ, although there may be a number in his hands, and served by him at the same time and place. (6) Andrew H. Dill claims, for attendance as marshal upon the United States circuit court for the Eastern district of Pennsylvania on the 16th day of October. 1887, earned. but not received, $5. This was -Sunday, and is a claim for actual attendance on court in charge of a jury that was deliberating on a verdict. Counsel for the United States contends that October 16, 1887. was Sunday; that from the records it appears that the case of Green v. Pennsylvania R. Co., No.2. April Sess., 1887, was given to the jury on the preceding Saturday; and that on the day in question (October 16th) the jury were still deliberating, and their verdict was received on the following day (October 17th). (7) Total amount actually paid to guards in charge of United States prisoners while in attendance on court during 1887 and 1888, and not received from the United States, $92. Section 830, Rev. St., provides tha.t the marshal shall be paid, among other items, "his expenses necessarily incurred for fuel, lights and other contingencies that may accrue in holding courts within this district." Dur· ing the years 1887 and 1888 there was no cage for the keeping of prisoners during the period of attendance upon court awaiting trial. It was absolutely necessary that the prisoners ordered up from the county prison shOuld be guarded. This item represents money actually paid by the marshal, and the cause for the expenditure is certainly a contingency, within the meaning of the section above quoted. Counsel fol' the United States contends that no such charge for payment to guards is provided by the fee bill. 86F.-6
B2
86 :F£DJllRAL:REPORTER ';
(8) Amoiinf· earned, 'and not receIveq, for serving. warrants to' apprehend in 1888 and 1889, $6. This Item represents two. cases. In ·U. S. v. Mull, $2. This was' disallowed upon the claim that. tbere were two warrants,and defendallt was In custody by virtue of the. ,tirst.JI.Iready executed. There were two warrants issued by the commissioner; and the marshal took the defen(iant ··in custody on both of them, and so returned the. warrants. The defendant might have been dIscharged on one of the warrants, and held on the other.' Therefore the marshal was entitled as much to the service of one as the other.. ' In the other case, U. S. v. Brennan ($4), service. was made on three persons; Service on one was allowed; service on the other two, disallowed. The. right of .the marshal to receive for each and every person served has already:been discussed. Rev. St. § 829, par. 25. Counsel for the. United. States states that. this item was disallowed by the treasury department for the reason that there were three cases in which the marshal served two warrants at the same time on the same defendants. The department allowed for service of one warrant only in each cllse, and refused to allow for the other, contending that one warrant was sufficient to apprehend the defendants. (9) of actual. expenses incurred in endeavoring to arrest, and not received, during the year 1889, $3.30. The actual expense was $5.30. All. over and above $2 disallowed. This represents money actually paid out by the marshal In necessary expenses,and this court sustained such a. claim in the case of U. S. v. Kerns.· Counsel for the United States states that this is a charge for actual expenses incurred in endeavoring to make arrest, tor which the fee bill .provIdes but,the sum ot .$2. The department allowed ,the $2, but disallowed the '$3.30, as being an excess charge. See "Fee Bill," Rev. St. § 829. (10) Total amount earned, and not received, for serving warrants,' etc., on indigent convicts, .lnaccordance with section 1042, Allowance suspended until it Is shown that there was a contest, and what proceedings were had to constitute a' contest. This character of claim is allowed by the: court In the case of Saunders v. U. S. Counsel for the United States. states that this item was disallowed by. the treasury department, which contended' that there' was no necessity for bringing the convict before the commissioner on a warrant, as the commissioner could give the indigent convicts hearings while confined in jail. It is, however, admitted that similar charges were subsequently allowed by the department, and are still allowed. (11) Charge for making 132 returns (at 40 cents) of nihil habet as to defendants in writs of. scIre facias to revive judgment and continue.IIen, in 1889 and 1890, $52.80. Disallowed. Explanation desired as to the amount· for each return, 40 cents, and as to the meaning of "return nihil habet.'!, The government Is placed in the same position by two returns of nihil habet -as if the writ had been actually served. It is the practice of the sheriffs of the counties of .the state to charge the same fees for two returns of nihil habet· to a scI. fa. as for' one service. This charge of 40. cents was made In conformity to the law of the state. In U. S. v. Kerns,supra; the court allowed fees claimed by defendant for services In endeavoring to. arrest. when no service was made.. Counsel for the United States claims this item was disallowed as unauthorized by the treasury department, and that technically such returns are,of course,. no service upon the defendants. Nevertheless he admits that, as upon two returns of nihil habet on the same defendant, the United States .. was placP-d in the same position as to such services as if actual services had. been. made. and for which the marshal would have been entitled to a fee of $2 fOl' each service. (12) Total amount earned, and not received, for the service of subpamas in 1888. $4. These charges suspended to know if prosecution was upon indictment. Certificate of district attorney was attached to the marshal's _explanation, and there is no reason why this Item should have beeu disallowed. Counsel for the United States states that the treasury department disallowed the same for the reason that the witnesses had already been subpcenaed In anoth"r case for attendance upon court for the same days, and therefore there was no need of service of subpcena t/1e second time.
The assignments of error were as follows: First. The court erred in allowing the plaintiff the sum of $328; being the amount claimed in item No.1, as set forth in the statement of facts agreed upon
83
by the respective counsel for plaintiff and defendant. Second. The court erred In allowing the. plaintiff the sum of $141.18; being the amount claimed in Item No.2, as set forth In the statement of facts agreed upon by the respective counsel for plaintiff and defendant. Third. The court erred in allowing the plaintiff the sum of $60; being the amount claimed In Item No.3, as set forth in the statement of facts agreed upon by the respective counsel for plaintiff and defendant. Fourth. The court erred In allowing the plaintiff the sum of $5; being the amount claimed in item No.6, as set forth in the statement of facts agreed upon by the respective counsel for plaintiff and defendant. Fifth. The court erred in allowing the plaintiff the sum of $9'2; being the amount claimed in item No.7, as set forth in the statement of facts agreed upon by the respective counsel for plaintiff and defendant. Sixth. The court erred in allowing the plaintiff the sum of $52.80; being the amount claimed in item No. 11, as set forth in the statement of facts agreed upon by the respective counsel for plaintiff and defendant. Seventh. The court erred in awarding judgment for the plaintiff in the sum of $754.86, the aggregate of items of claim allowed in the opinion filed by the court, together with plaintiff's costs. Eighth. The court erred in allowing the entry of judgment against the defendant and in favor of the plaintiff in the sum of $754.86, together with $7.50 costs.
Michael F. McCullen, for the United States. H. Meriam Allen, for defendant in error. Before ACHESON and DALLAS, Circuit Judges, and BRADFORD, District Judge. DALLAS, Circuit Judge. Upon petition of the executrix of Andrew H. Dill, deceased, late marshal of the Eastern district of Pennsylvania, praying judgment against the United States for the sum of $758.16, claimed to be due for services rendered and disbursements made by said Andrew H. Dill as such marshal, the district court entered judgment in favor of the plaintiff for the aggregate amount of several of the items claimed. Eight errors have been assigned, the first six of which relate, respectively, to certain of the items which were allowed, and the last two of which are of a general character, and need not be separately considered. The first and sixth are not sustained. As to the items to which they relate, we approve the action of the court below, for the reasons stated in its opinion. The fourth specification objects to the allowance of a fe of five dollars for the marshal's attendance upon a jury on October 16, 1887. The service rendered was an absolutely necessary one, but, being Sunday, the judge was not actually present; and it is contended that therefore the marshal was not entitled to compensation, because, as is argued (Rev. St. § 829), the court was not then "in session." In our opinion, this view of the effect of the statute is not a reasonable one. We hold, for the purposes of this case, that the necessary suspension of the business of the court during Sunday is not to be regarded as a termination of its session, and that the essential duty which in this instance was performed by the marshal upon that day is within the provision of the fee bill, which will be found in the section of the Revised Statutes to which we have referred. The fifth error assigned is to the allowance by the court of "amount actually paid guards of United States prisoners while attending courts." We think that the view taken of this matter by the learned judge is correct. The charge was not for fees, but for a contingent expense needfully incurred, and therefore within the terms of section 830 of the Revised Statutes, as the court below has sum-
84
fi6.FEDERAL REPORTER.
ciently .ahown. The second, and third specifications must be sustained, upon the authority of U;S. 'Y. Tanner, 147 U. 8.661; ,13 8up.Ct. 436; andU. 8. v.McMahon, 164 U. 8. 87, 17 Sup. Ct. 28. It is ordered that this cause be to district court, with direction to modify its judgment in pursuance of this determination. No costs in this court are allowed to either party.
JACOBUS v. UNITED STATES. (Circuit Court, S. D. New York. March 19, 1898.) . AMENDMENT-DELAYING TRIArr-COUNTERCLAIM.
A cause which had been repeatedly continued because defendant was not ready for trial was peremptorily set for trial on a certain day. Defendant then moved for leave to amend Its pleading by setting up a counterclaIm, Which, If allowed, made another contInuance necessary, because of the absence of plaintiff's witness. Held that, since the Issues raised by the counterclaim might be determined in an independent action, the motion should be overruled.
This was an action by John W; Jacobus against the United States. The cause was heard on motion for leave to amend the answer by setting up a counterclaim. D. Frank Lloyd, Asst. U. S. Atty., for the motion. Henry L. Stimson, opposed. LACOMBE, Circuit Judge. If in no other way than by a counter· claim in this action could the government have the question deter· mined whether or not it is entitled to recover anything from the plaintiff, the former marshal of this district, I should be inclined to allow the amendinent. But, so far as I can discover, there is no obstacle to an independent action to recover whatever may be due the government, and no authorities are presented sustaining the proposition that counterclaim is the only relief. This cause has been repeatedly on the day calendar for trial, and plaintiff has always been ready for trial. The limit of all reasonable continuance on defendant's request was passed long since, and the case set peremptorily for the 1st day of the April term. To introduce a new cause of action in favor of defendant at this late stage, probably necessitating a further adjournment, since plaintiff's sole witness as to the transactions out of which counterclaim arises is now in California, would be a denial of justice. The issues now raised in the cause should be tried and disposed of without further delay. Any other controversies between the parties can be dispoSed of in some other action.