Oregon R. & Nav. Co. v. Taffe

134 P. 1024 | Or. | 1913

Lead Opinion

Mr. Justice Eakin

delivered the opinion of the court.

1. If the judgment entered by the court was the proper one, then this appeal is vain as to the alleged errors occurring at the trial. "We are therefore considering first the alleged error in rendering the judgment of dismissal. The question involved has been incidentally touched upon in former opinions of this court, but not directly decided. The real controversy is as to what judgment may be entered in plaintiff’s favor from which it may appeal. Upon this matter we get but little aid from the decisions of other states, for the reason that there is very little similarity between their statutes on the. subject involved and ours* In Kansas, on an assessment of damages by a commission or by a jury, the court simply awards or adjudicates the damages so found as the amount which the plaintiff must pay before it is entitled to appropriate the property: St. Louis, L. & D. R. Co. v. Wilder, 17 Kan. 239; Florence, E. D. & W. R. Co. v. Lilley, 3 Kan. App. 588 (43 Pac. 857). And in Illinois the same procedure is followed: City of Bloomington v. Miller, 84 Ill. 621; Lewis, Eminent Domain (3 ed.), § 955. In the Colorado statute, after verdict, the judgment contemplated is: The court shall proceed to adjudge and make such order as to right and justice shall pertain, ordering that the plaintiff may enter upon such property and the use of the same upon payment of the full compensation as ascertained, which is considered a final determination, and from which either party may appeal as in ordinary cases; it being recognized in all of the cases that no formal judgment of condemnation can be rendered until the money is paid: Denver & N. O. R. R. Co. v. Jackson, 6 Colo. 340. Our own statute emphasizes that condition by Section 6866, L. O. L.: Oregonian Ry. Co. v. Hill, 9 Or. 377; Webb v. Nickerson, 11 Or. 382 (4 Pac. 1126). Section 6860 makes the proceedings in ordinary actions at law applicable in this proceeding, except as otherwise specially provided, thus supplementing this special statute in matters of procedure not covered. There may be other issues involved in a condemnation action than as to the amount of the compensation, such as the qualification and status of the petitioner to exercise the power of eminent domain, the liability of the particular property to be condemned, and the necessity for the taking, as provided in Sections 6859 and 6864, L. O. L. These may all, or any of them, be made issues by the answer, be tried together, and be concluded by the verdict assessing the compensation: Webb v. Nickerson, 11 Or. 382 (4 Pac. 1126). And a proper appeal would, no doubt, bring up all of these questions for review in this court, if included in the verdict. We see by Section 6859 that, on the report of the commissioners appointed to determine the point and manner of a railroad crossing there provided for, their action must be confirmed by the court; that is, the commissioners cannot adjudicate the matters contained in their report. Their action must be confirmed by the action of the court. The same is true of the verdict of the jury. They can assess the amount of the compensation, but they cannot adjudicate it. It is binding on no one until adopted or confirmed by the court. The amount of compensation which plaintiff would be required to pay before he could take the property must be adjudicated as the amount defendant is entitled to.

2. Condemnation is an adversary proceeding and not an arbitration, and all proceedings must be judicial. Without the application of the provisions of Titles 1 and 2, L. O. L., as provided for in Section 6860, L. O. L., the whole condemnation statute would be very incomplete. Especially would there appear to be quite an omission in the proceedings between Sections 6865 and 6866. The verdict shall not only “be given,” but we must assume it shall be returned in a formal way into court and be confirmed or adjudicated as the award by the court of the amount of damages to be paid to the defendant by the plaintiff before he .can take the property. Such an order or adjudication is contemplated in actions at law. Although in this proceeding the statute provides especially for the judgment of condemnation, such an adjudication of the award seems to be necessary to make it an orderly judicial proceeding, and as a protection to plaintiff, as the authority upon which the amount is to be paid by it, as evidence of what is condemned or included in the verdict, and by which the defendant shall be bound. The statutes of other states are different from ours as to these proceedings, yet the courts seem to consider such adjudication essential, and it is plain that it would in no way conflict with the terms of Section 6866, L. O. L., nor is it inconsistent with any part of the statute, being essential to complete the proceeding. It is expressly held in McCall v. Marion County, 43 Or. 541 (73 Pac. 1031, 75 Pac. 140), that an adjudication of the verdict should be made, where, in a county road proceeding, Mr. Justice Bean says:

“The proceedings for that purpose are by analogy the same, so far as it affects the form of judgment, as an action by any other corporation authorized to exercise the power. Its purpose is simply to ascertain and fix judicially the amount which the county should pay as a just compensation in order for it to be entitled to take the property for a county road, and no personal judgment should be entered against it for the amount of the award. The judgment against the county or other corporation in all condemnation proceedings is simply to adjudicate that the amount found due and assessed is a just compensation to be paid by the corporation for the property sought to be condemned, and should be so entered. ’ ’

And Mr. Chief Justice Lord, in Oregonian Ry. Co. v. Hill, 9 Or. 377, holds that the judgment of condemnation cannot be rendered until the money is paid, and seems to lay stress on the fact that no other judgment of condemnation can be rendered than that specified in the statute, and to approve the statements quoted by him from Gear v. Dubuque & S. C. R. R. Co., 20 Iowa, 527 (89 Am. Dec. 550), and St. Louis, L. & D. R. Co. v. Wilder, 17 Kan. 239, where it is held that any judgment of condemnation beyond that authorized by the statute would be without authority, but approves a judgment assessing the amount of the damages: See, also, Lewis, Eminent Domain, 3d ed., § 784. In Oregon R. & N. Co. v. Eastlack, 54 Or. 196 (102 Pac. 1011, 20 Ann. Cas. 695, note), a condemnation case upon a verdict in favor of the petitioner, a judgment similar in form and effect to the one requested in this case was entered, and the plaintiff appealed. In this court the defendant moved to dismiss the appeal on the ground that the judgment was not final, and that it was void as not being authorized by the statute; but this court, Justice .Slater writing the opinion, declined to pass upon the sufficiency of the form of judgment, stating that, if it was void, nevertheless it was appeal-able, and held that the judgment was final as to the subject of litigation, namely, the damages. The question was raised in the Oregon E. R. Co. v. Terwilliger Land Co., 51 Or. 107 (93 Pac. 334, 930), in which the plaintiff, deeming the assessment excessive, and with a view to appeal the case, paid into court the amount * of the verdict, and appealed, the question submitted being as to plaintiff’s right of appeal from such a judgment. Justice Moore, who wrote the opinion, held that the payment of the award, and the taking possession of the property, was a voluntary acceptance of the benefit of the judgment and a waiver of the right of appeal. Section 6867, L. O. L., makes positive provision that either party shall have the right of appeal. It may be possible that on the entry of the judgment provided for in Section 6866, L. O. L., in favor of the plaintiff that it could pay the money into court and then appeal; but this seems very doubtful. The statute of Colorado provides for such a proceeding for the purposes of the appeal; but it provides that the money shall remain on deposit pending the appeal, and that the defendant cannot withdraw it except by giving security for its return in case of reversal. Section 6866, L. O. L., seems to contemplate that upon payment the money becomes the property of the defendant and the land the property of plaintiff. This is the effect of the reasoning of the court in City of Chicago v. Barbian, 80 Ill. 482.

3. The law reserves to the petitioner the right to abandon the proceeding at any time prior to the payment of the award, but quaere whether it has that right after the money is paid. It is held in Denver & N. O. R. R. Co. v. Lamborn, 8 Colo. 380 (8 Pac. 582), that the plaintiff loses its right to abandon the proceeding when the land owner acquires a vested right to the compensation, which is upon payment by the plaintiff: See, also, 38 Cyc. 176. The right of appeal being guaranteed to the plaintiff is an additional reason why the statute must be deemed to contemplate a formal adjudication of the amount of the damages and of the other issues that may be involved therein, from which an appeal will lie. Therefore we conclude that the form of judgment that should have been entered upon the return into court of the verdict of the jury should have been one adjudging the award of damages found by the jury, if the court deems the verdict sufficient, as the amount of just compensation awarded to defendant to be paid by the petitioner for the property sought to be condemned, and that thereafter, when the petitioner shall have paid the money into court, the judgment provided for by Section 6866 shall be entered. The court erred in dismissing the action, and the case is before us on the merits.

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Opinion on the Merits

On the Merits.

Defendants are the owners of lot 1 of section 17 and of lot 2 of section 20, township 2 north, range 15 east, Willamette meridian. The plaintiff’s line of railroad, as a common carrier from Portland to Huntington, Oregon, passes over or adjacent to defendants’ said property, at which point there is an abrupt curve in the road, embarrassing plaintiff’s operation of its road, and increasing the danger to the traveling public. Plaintiff is seeking to relocate its line at said point, and to appropriate a right of way for that purpose through defendants’ said property. Defendants allege that their said tract of land is laid out and platted as a town site, but that no lots therein have been sold. The contention of the defendants is that the value of the town site is enhanced by the fact that there is in the immediate vicinity falls' in the Columbia Eiver of the height of 34 feet; that the volume of water is very great, and that defendants are preparing to utilize it; that the eastern terminus of the United States government canal and locks for passing the said falls is at Celilo; that the said town site is available for manufactories of different kinds in connection with the said available power, and it contains beds of gravel and sand suitable for various commercial uses to which such material is adapted.

4. One of the principal errors assigned was the admission of evidence to the effect that the taking of the right of way described would result in damage to other lots and blocks than those taken in whole or in part; plaintiff contending that each lot and block constitutes a separate and distinct tract of land for which damages cannot be claimed unless it is used in connection with and as a part of the tract taken. The rule as to the assessment of damages to different tracts of land where part of one tract only is taken is that damages to that tract alone can he considered. If the different “tracts are used together as one property, or are adapted to snch nse and are more valuable because of such adaptation, then they may be treated as one tract in the estimation of damages; otherwise not.” This is a summary statement of the law by Lewis, Eminent Domain, §§ 697, 698; note, 11 L. R. A. (N. S.) 996. See, also, Sharp v. United States, 191 U. S. 341 (48 L. Ed. 211, 24 Sup. Ct. Rep. 114, and note to this case, 57 L. R. A. 932). And applying this rule to town property he says, in Section 699, that, if two or more contiguous city lots are improved and used as one tract, the owner may recover damages to all. Where two lots of a block belonging to a single owner, vacant and unoccupied, are taken for a railroad, only damages for those taken can be recovered: Wilcox v. St. Paul & N. P. Ry. Co., 35 Minn. 439 (29 N. W. 148). It is held that the subdivision of land into lots makes every lot prima facie a separate and distinct tract, and, if the owner claims damages to all or more than the lot taken, he must produce evidence to overcome this presumption: See Koerper v. St. Paul & N. P. Ry. Co., 42 Minn. 340 (44 N. W. 195). These are the conclusions of Lewis, and his text is well supported by the cases. Therefore, it not being shown that the lots not taken are used in connection with those taken for one purpose, it was error to admit evidence of their value as a part of the town site, or to permit the jury to consider them in arriving at the amount of the defendants ’ damage. Neither was it proper to admit evidence of facts or conditions tending to enhance the value of the town site, except so far as they added value to the lots taken.

5. Plaintiff also urges that the court erroneously admitted, among the uses to which the property is adapted, evidence of its value for railroad purposes by reason of its location in a narrow pass between tbe bluff and the river, and wbicb, it is contended, in effect authorized tbe jury to consider tbe value of tbe property to plaintiff. As we understand tbe evidence submitted, it was not as to tbe value of tbe property to plaintiff, but its value generally for railroad purposes because of its favorable situation. The fact that tbe plaintiff desired tbe property for a railroad right of way would not preclude defendants’ recovery measured by its. adaptability for that use, if such adaptability added to its market value generally. Tbe particular value of tbe tract to plaintiff by reason of tbe location of tbe tract to its road, and considered with reference to plaintiff’s connecting tracks, its established business, and its urgent need, should not be considered by tbe jury, nor shown by tbe evidence; but we understand no such evidence was admitted. Tbe paragraph of 15 Cyc. 757 quoted by plaintiff in its brief further says: “Some courts have gone so far as to say that in estimating tbe value of tbe land taken for a public use its value for such use cannot be considered; but tbe weight of authority is contrary to such a rule. There is a recognized difference between estimating damages by tbe value of the property to tbe person or corporation exercising tbe right of condemnation and considering tbe availability or adaptability of a piece of land for tbe purpose for wbicb it is condemned as an element of value which would attract any buyer for that purpose. Tbe true rule is that any use for wbicb tbe property is capable may be considered, and if tbe land has an adaptability for tbe purposes for wbicb it is taken, tbe owner may have this considered in tbe estimate as well as any other use for wbicb it is capable. ’ ’ This, we understand, is tbe correct rule, and is well supported by tbe cases, and is all that was attempted to be shown by the evidence admitted by the court.

For the error above mentioned, the judgment is reversed and the cause remanded for further proceedings. Beversed.

Mr. Chief Justice McBride, Mr. Justice Bean and Mr. Justice McNary concur.

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Rehearing

Denied October 7, 1913.

.On Petition for Behearing.

(135 Pac. 332.)

Mr. Justice Eakin

delivered the opinion of the court.

6-8. It is suggested that the court erred in following the rule as stated in Lewis, Eminent Domain, §§ 697, 698, and as declared by the Minnesota cases cited and by the case of Sharp v. United States, 191 U. S. 341 (48 L. Ed. 211, 24 Sup. Ct. Rep. 114, 112 Fed. 893, 50 C. C. A. 597, 57 L. R. A. 932), to the effect that if different tracts are used together as one property, or are adapted for such use, and are more valuable because of such adaptation, they should be treated as one property, otherwise not. Defendants contend that this is not the correct rule but cite no cases to the contrary. The cases of Kansas City Co. v. Merrill, 25 Kan. 421, and St. Louis etc. R. Co. v. Aubuchon, 199 Mo. 352 (97 S. W. 867, 116 Am. St. Rep. 499, 8 Ann. Cas. 822, 9 L. R. A. (N. S.) 426), cited by defendants, do not conflict with the rule here adopted. That rule as applied in this case is certainly logical and reasonable. It is not shown that other blocks or lots will suffer any specific damage, but in general terms it is said that the railroad will obstruct the streets and prevent access to the lots, though it is not shown that any particular lot will be so injured or to what extent. The facts as to how and to what extent any particular lot is damaged must be shown, and the admission in evidence of such general statements that it will be a damage to the town site and instructing the jury that they might consider the same as an element of damage was error that we must consider had weight with them and prevents the application of the rule established by Section 3, Article VII, of the Constitution (as amended [see Laws 1911, p. 7]), referring to which Mr. Justice McBride says:

“But, for the jury to find the fact, the court must see that they receive only legal evidence, and no good finding of fact can ever be predicated upon illegal evidence”: State v. Rader, 62 Or. 37 (124 Pac. 195); Lewis v. Northwestern Warehouse Co., 63 Or. 239 (127 Pac. 33).

The petition is denied. ' Rehearing Denied.

Mr. Chief Justice McBride, Mr. Justice Bean and Mr. Justice McNary concur.

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Opinion on Motion to Strike

Allowed October 7, 1913.

On Motion to Strike Out Plaintiff's Cost Bill.

(135 Pac. 515.)

Mr. Justice Eakin

delivered the opinion of the court.

9. Plaintiff has filed a cost bill for the costs incurred in this court, which defendants move to strike out, contending that, this being a condemnation case, defendants must recover costs, and relying upon Article I, Section 18, and Article XI, Section 4, of the Constitution, to the effect that private property shall not he taken for public use without just compensation first assessed and tendered.

Section 6868, L. O. L., referring to condemnation actions, provides that the costs and disbursements of the defendants shall be taxed by the clerk and recovered off the corporation. Several courts of last resort have held that the provision that full compensation shall be first assessed and tendered to the land owner entitles the defendant to his whole costs up to the final adjudication of his damages; that the hearing on appeal is for the purpose of ascertaining the just compensation; that pending the appeal the value is not judicially determined, and is a continuation of the proceeding to condemn; and that the land owner should not be taxed with any of the costs of the proceeding, except in two cases, namely, when the railroad has previously tendered as much or more compensation than is recovered at the trial, or where the land owner appeals and is unsuccessful. The following cases are to that effect: Lewis, Condemnation, § 562; Portneuf-Marsh Valley Irr. Co. v. Portneuf Irr. Co., 19 Idaho, 483 (114 Pac. 19); Grays Harbor Boom Co. v. Lownsdale, 54 Wash. 83 (104 Pac. 267); Peoria Co. v. Vance, 251 Ill. 263 (95 N. E. 1081, Ann. Cas. 1912C, 532, 36 L. R. A. (N. S.) 624); Stolze v. Milwaukee etc. R. Co., 113 Wis. 44 (90 Am. St. Rep. 833, 88 N. W. 919); Petersburg v. Peterson, 14 N. D. 344 (103 N. W. 758); In the Matter of New York W. S. & B. R. Co., 94 N. Y. 287.

Following the lead of these cases, which we think state the law correctly, the motion to strike out the cost bill will be allowed. Motion Allowed.

Mr. Chief Justice McBride, Mr. Justice Bean and Mr. Justice McNary concur.

Case Details

Case Name: Oregon R. & Nav. Co. v. Taffe

Court Name: Oregon Supreme Court

Date Published: Sep 9, 1913

Citation: 134 P. 1024

Court Abbreviation: Or.