Opinion · Supreme Court of the United States
McGovern v. Philadelphia & Reading Railway Co.
McGovern v. Phila. & Reading Ry. Co., 35 S. Ct. 127 (1914)
- Type
- Opinion
- Court
- Supreme Court of the United States
- Jurisdiction
- Federal
- Date
- 1914-12-14
- Topic
- general
*397 Mr. Justice McKenna delivered the opinion of the court. Action in trespass under the Railroad Employers’ Liability Act of Congress of April 22, 1908, c. 149, 35 Stat. 65, as amended April 5, 1910, c. 143, 36 Stat. 291, brought against the railway company, which, it is alleged, caused by negligence the death of Peter McGovern, one of its employés. Plaintiff was duly appointed administratrix of the estate of McGovern and brought the action in behalf of his surviving parents, who are citizens of Great Britain and Ireland. McGovern was not married, was twenty-four years old, and was in the habit of making regular contributions to the support of his parents.
Citator
- Cited by
- 30 opinions
McGOVERNv. PHILA. READING R.R.,235 U.S. 389(1914)
35 S.Ct. 127
McGOVERN, ADMINISTRATRIX,v. PHILADELPHIA READING RAILWAY COMPANY.
ERROR TO THE DISTRICT COURT OF THE UNITED STATES FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF
PENNSYLVANIA.
No. 430.
Argued November 30, 1914.
Decided December 14, 1914.
THE facts, which involve the construction of the Federal
Employers' Liability Acts of 1908 and 1910, and the right of
non-resident aliens to maintain actions thereunder, and also
questions involving rights under the favored nation clause of the
treaty with Great Britain, are stated in the opinion.
This court has jurisdiction.Nichols Lumber Co. v.Franson,203 U.S. 278;Gilesv.Harris,189 U.S. 475;Williamsonv.United States,207 U.S. 425.
Non-resident aliens can benefit under the provisions of the Act of Congress of April 22, 1908. SeeMaioranov.Balt.Ohio R.R.,213 U.S. 268; affirming216 Pa. 402; and seeDeniv.Penna. R.R.,181 Pa. 525;Balt. Ohio R.R. v.Baldwin, 144 F. 53;Branniganv.Union Mining Co., 93 F. 164;Zeigerv.Penna. R.R., 151 F. 348;S.C., 158 F. 809;Robertsv.Great Northern Ry., 161 F. 239;Fulcov.Schuylkill Stone Co., 163 F. 124.Maioranov.Balt. Ohio R.R.,213 U.S. 268, distinguished, as since that decision there has been a new treaty with Italy, of February 25, 1913, and Pennsylvania has passed an act permitting non-resident aliens to recover in Pennsylvania in like cases.
Under the terms of the treaties between the United States and foreign countries, especially with Italy and with Great Britain, plaintiff in error can recover.
Because of the most favored nation clause the terms of the treaty with Italy would be held to apply to subjects of Great Britain and Ireland.Page 391
If a new rule of law was promulgated by the new treaty with Italy it went back and covered all cases, which, though originating before, nevertheless had not been tried and decided up to that time.
Treaties are construed with regard to the intention as well as with reference to justice and convenience.The Amistad, 15 Pet. 518, 591, 595;United Statesv.Texas,162 U.S. 1;Tuckerv.Alexandroff,183 U.S. 424.
A treaty is to be construed in the light of all the facts and circumstances surrounding its making.In re Ross,140 U.S. 453;United Statesv.Schooner "Peggy,"1 Cranch, 103.
Even ignoring the treaties between the United States and Italy and the doctrine of the most favored nation clause, plaintiff in error has the right to bring the present suit and to recover therein by reason of direct treaty rights and provisions between the United States and Great Britain and Ireland. See Arts. II and V of the treaty of March 2, 1899, with Great Britain.
A treaty is the supreme law of the land, binding alike national and state courts, and is capable of enforcement, and must be enforced by them in the litigation of private rights.Chew Heongv.United States,112 U.S. 536;Tuckerv.Alexandroff,183 U.S. 424.
A treaty should be liberally construed,De Geofreyv.Riggs,133 U.S. 258, and if it admits of two constructions the more liberal one is to be preferred.Hauensteinv.Lynham,100 U.S. 483; 2 Herod on Favored Nation Treatment, p. 9; Hall's Int. Law, pp. 350-355 (4th Ed.). See alsoChambersv.Balt.Ohio R.R.,207 U.S. 142,150;Maioranov.Balt. Ohio R.R.Co., supra.
Within the broad intent of this treaty such a right of action for the death is the personal property of the heirs. As to what is property seeSinking Fund Cases,99 U.S. 700,738;Seamanv.Clarke,69 N.Y.S. 1002;Powerv.Harlow,57 Mich. 107,111;Battishellv.Humphreys,Page 39264 Mich. 494;Smithv.Stage Co., 28 How. Prac. (N.Y.) 277; William's Personal Property, 16th ed., 144; Schouler, Personal Property, 3d ed., §§ 11-15, 58; 32 Cyc. 669.
This is plain, no matter what theory of the origin of the suit for death by negligence is accepted.Mich. Cent. R.R. v.Vreeland,227 U.S. 59,67.
While in this country rights of foreigners to real estate and immovable property rest primarily in the laws of the State where such property is situated,Hauensteinv.Lynham,100 U.S. 483;Blythev.Hinckley,180 U.S. 333, this law does not apply to personal estate, but aliens have full power and right in this country to succeed thereto.McLearnv.McClellan, 10 Pet. 625, 637.
By international law and the law of comity and reciprocity between nations this plaintiff should be allowed to recover.
International law is undoubtedly part of the law of this land. 2 Butler's Treaty-making Power, 187, 223;Lovev.UnitedStates, 29 Ct. of Cl. 332;Ekiuv.United States,142 U.S. 651;McEwanv.Zimmer,38 Mich. 765;Hiltonv.Guyot,159 U.S. 113;Paquette Habana,175 U.S. 677;Bankv.Earle, 13 Pet. 519, 589; Story's Con. Laws, § 618.
Such is the rule in Great Britain, under Employers' Liability Act of England, enacted in 1880, Lord Campbell's Act of 1846, and the "Fatal Accidents Act," although the acts themselves are silent on this point. Ruegg's Employers' Liability, 7th ed., 148;Davidsonv.Hill, 2 K.B. (1901) 606; Elliott, Workmen's Compensation, 6th ed., 311;Bairdv.Savage, 43 Scot. Law Rep. 300 (1906);Krzusv.Crow's Nest Coal Co., Law Rep. App. Cas. 1912, 590.
If the statute meant otherwise, it should have said so in plain words. See 6 Butterworth's Workmen's Compensation, 271;Davidsonv.Hill, 70 L.J., K.B., 1901, 788;Page 393Varesickv.British Columbia Copper Co., 12 B.C. 286, 1906.
By the laws of international reciprocity and comity this country is bound to extend the same rights and benefits, under our own laws, to British subjects.
This is not any new or strange doctrine.United Statesv.O'Keefe, 11 Wall. 178, 183.
Under the plain reading of the state statute itself plaintiff in error can recover. Endlich, Inter. Stat., § 4.
Where the language of an act is so clear and explicit as not to be open to construction, its construction cannot be changed by the practice of the departments, however long continued.UnitedStatesv.Graham,110 U.S. 219;Thornleyv.United States,113 U.S. 310.
A statute must be held to mean what the language imports. When it is clear and imperative, reasoningab inconvenientiis of no avail, and there is no room for construction.The CherokeeTobacco, 11 Wall. 616;United Statesv.Temple,105 U.S. 97;Lake Countyv.Rollins,130 U.S. 662;Bate RefrigeratingCo. v.Sulzberger,157 U.S. 1.
So universally has this come to be regarded as the true rule of interpretation, that where the legislatures of the individual States have passed compensation acts and have decided that where non-resident aliens are excluded from the benefits of the Act a provision to that effect has been inserted. See Workmen's Compensation Act New Jersey, 1911, ch. 95, § 12; Act of Washington, 1911, ch. 74, § 3; New Hampshire Act, 1911, ch. 163, § 6.
For specific provisions in regard to aliens, see Wisconsin Act, 1911, ch. 50, § 10, par. 5; and seeMcMillanv.SpiderLake Mill Co.,115 Wis. 332; Michigan Act, 1912, No. 3, § 7.
The New York Act, ch. 816, 1913, § 17, makes its provisions applicable to non-resident aliens.
The acts of other States appear to be silent on the subject. Bradbury's Workmen's Compensation.Page 394
The California Act 1911, ch. 399, has been construed by the board to include in its benefits non-resident aliens. See Boyd's Workmen's Compensation, § 263.
In all other States, where this question has arisen, and where the statutes are silent on the point of the relatives who shall recover for a negligent death, it appears to have been held in respective state courts that, by the plain reading of the statute itself, non-resident aliens are necessarily included among those entitled to the remedies and benefits of the statute. SeeKellyville Coal Co. v.Petraytis,195 Ill. 215;Mulhallv.Fallon,176 Mass. 266;Vetalorov.Perkins, 101 Fed. Rep. (Mass.) 393;Szymanskiv.Blumenthal, 3 Pennewill (Del.), 558;Renlundv.CommodoreCo.,89 Minn. 41;Bouthronv.Phoenix Fuel Co.,8 Ariz. 129;Romanov.Capital City Brick Co.,125 Iowa 591;Cleveland St. L.R.R. v.Osgood,36 Ind. App. 34;Pocohontas Collieriesv.Rukas,104 Va. 278;Alfsonv.Bush,182 N.Y. 393;Pittsburgh St. L. Ry. v.Naylor,73 Ohio St. 115;Jeffersonville Co. v.Hendricks,41 Ind. 48,71;Lukev.Calhoun County,52 Ala. 115;Philpottv.Mo. Pac. Ry.,85 Mo. 164;Chesapeake c. Ry. v.Higgins,85 Tenn. 620;Augusta Ry. v.Glover,92 Ga. 132,142;Trottav.Johnson,121 Ky. 827;Atchison c. Ry. v.Fajardo,74 Kan. 314. For similar construction of analogous statutes, see alsoDavidsonv.Hill, 2 K.B. (1901) 606; disapprovingAdamsv.BritishF.S.S. Co., 2 Q.B. (1898) 430;Patekv.American SmeltingCo., 154 F. 190;Cetofontev.Camden Coke Co.,78 N.J. 662; Thornton's Federal Employers' Liability Acts, 176; Boyd, Workmen's Compensation, § 500;Low Wah Sueyv.Backus,225 U.S. 460,476;Dennichv.Railroad Co.,103 U.S. 11,17.
The general and accepted policy of this country is to extend to foreigners exactly the same means of redress, as is enjoyed by our own citizens. Wharton on Conflict of Laws, §§ 17, 478, 478a, 483, 705, 737, 743.Page 395
And see similar rule in Canada.Varesickv.BritishColumbia Copper Co., supra;Op. of Att. Gen., 1855, 7, 229. And seeBreedlovev.Nicolet, 7 Pet. 413, 431.
The transitory character of an action for a tort is well recognized, and the action is enforced wherever the defendant can be found, irrespective of the residence of the beneficial plaintiff. Wharton, Confl. Laws, §§ 478a, 480a;Gardnerv.Thomas, 14 Johnson (N.Y.), 134;Dewittv.Buchanan, 54 Barb. (N.Y.) 31;Crashleyv.Press Pub. Co.,179 N.Y. 27,71;Slaterv.Mexican Natl. R.R.,194 U.S. 120,129;Barrow S.S.Co. v.Kane,170 U.S. 100,112.
In the courts of the United States, under the Constitution and laws, alien friends irrespective of treaty stipulations are entitled to the same protection of their rights as citizens.Taylorv.Carpenter, 3 Story, 458, 463. And see 1 Ops. Att. Gen. 192; 12id. 319;Stewartv.Balt. Ohio R.R.,168 U.S. 445;Mich. Cent. R.R. v.Vreeland, supra; American R.R. v.Birch,224 U.S. 547;Taylor, Admr., v.Taylor,232 U.S. 363;Fong Yue Tingv.United States,149 U.S. 698,754.
There was no material fact at issue and a new trial was not necessary; and the case should have been in a position immediately for a writ of error without the additional expense and delay of a new trial. The Circuit Court of Appeals should have reinstated the judgment of the District Court.Barneyv.Schmeider, 9 Wall. 248;Hodgesv.Easton,106 U.S. 408;Baylisv.Travelers' Ins. Co.,113 U.S. 316.
In this caseSlocumv.New York Life Ins. Co.,228 U.S. 364, does not apply. And see Schofield in Vol. VIII, Illinois Law Rev., December, 1913, January and February, 1914, numbers, pages 294, 295, 307, 308, 390, 391, 399.Mr. William Clarke Mason, with whomMr. Charles Heebnerwas on the brief, for defendant in error:Page 396
The trial judge was correct in affirming the defendant's point, to the effect that plaintiffs, being non-resident aliens, had no right of action under the Act of Congress of April 22, 1908, etc.
The record justified the action of the trial judge in directing the jury that "Under all the evidence the verdict should be for the defendant," for two reasons:
The deceased employe assumed the risk of his employment.
The non-resident alien plaintiffs were not dependent upon the deceased employe for maintenance and support.
The case may not have been properly brought before this court by the direct writ of error.
In support of these contentions see,Adamv.BritishF.S.S. Co., 2 Q.B. 430;Aerkfetzv.Humphreys,145 U.S. 418;American Railroad Co. v.Didricksen,227 U.S. 145;Crowev.Railroad Co., 70 Hun, 37;Connellyv.Penna. Railroad Co., 201 F. 54;Colorado Mining Co. v.Turk,150 U.S. 138;Davisv.Concordia Parrish, 9 How. 280;Davidsonv.Hill, 2 K.B. 606;Farrugiav.Phila. Reading Ry.,233 U.S. 352;Filhiolv.Maurice,185 U.S. 108;Gillmanv.Philadelphia, 3 Wall. 713;Pollardv.Kibbe, 9 How. 471;Gulf c. Ry. Co. v.McGinnis,228 U.S. 173;Hertzv.Woodman,218 U.S. 205;Hijov.United States,194 U.S. 315;Jeckerv.Magee, 9 Wall. 32;Maioranov.Balt. OhioR.R.,213 U.S. 268;Mich. Cent. R.R. v.Vreeland,227 U.S. 59;Musev.Arlington Hotel Co.,168 U.S. 430;Nyev.Penna. R.R. Co.,178 Pa. 134;Norfolk W.R. Co. v.Gesswine, 144 F. 56;Petersonv.Am. Ice Co.,83 N.J.L. 579;Seaboard Air Linev.Horton,233 U.S. 492;Southern Railwayv.Crockett,234 U.S. 725;Sloanv.United States,193 U.S. 614;Stephensv.Cherokee Nation,174 U.S. 445;Sanchezv.United States,216 U.S. 167;Thomasv.Gay,169 U.S. 264;Winfreev.Nor. Pac. Ry.,227 U.S. 296.Page 397
McGovern was not married, was twenty-four years old, and was in the habit of making regular contributions to the support of his parents. The facts of the killing are not now in dispute, the principal question in the case being whether under the act of Congress an action can be maintained for the benefit of non-resident aliens.
There were two trials of the action. At the first trial plaintiff obtained a verdict. On motion of the railway company, the court, being of opinion that the action could not be maintained for the benefit of non-resident aliens, granted a new trial. 209 F. 975. On the second trial the railway company submitted to the court for its affirmance the following propositions, among others: (1) The parents of McGovern, being non-resident aliens, have no right under the act of Congress for which the action might be maintained and, therefore, a verdict should be directed in favor of the company. (2) Under all of the evidence in the case a verdict should be for the company. The court affirmed the propositions and directed a verdict for the company. The jury returned a verdict accordingly, and judgment was duly entered for the railway company. This writ of error was then sued out.
It is suggested rather than urged that the case is not properly here on direct appeal. But the right of directPage 398appeal is based on the ground, among others, that the construction and application of the treaty between the United States and Great Britain and Ireland are involved in the case, the favored-nation clause of which give the residents and citizens of Great Britain and Ireland the same rights as those of Italy, and that by a treaty between the latter and the United States its citizens are entitled to exactly the same rights as citizens of this country in the courts of this country, although the citizens of Italy may be residing abroad.
In its first opinion in the case the District Court discussed at length the question arising upon the treaty and held adversely to plaintiff. We must presume, therefore, that the court considered the treaties as elements in its decision upon the right of McGovern to recover for the benefit of the parents of the deceased. This court, therefore, has jurisdiction.
We need not, however, discuss the treaties. The view we take of the statute makes such course unnecessary. But seeMaioranov.Balt. Ohio R.R., infra.
Section 1 of the Act of Congress of 1908 provides that every common carrier by railroad, while engaged in interstate commerce, "shall be liable in damages to any person suffering injury while he is employed by such carrier in such commerce, or, in case of the death of such employe, to his or her personal representative, for the benefit of the surviving widow or husband and children of such employe; and, if none, then of such employe's parents . . ." the carrier or its agents being negligent or its instrumentalities being defective due to its negligence.Seaboard Air Linev.Horton,233 U.S. 492,501.
In ruling upon the statute the District Court considered that the reasoning inDeniv.Penna. R.R.,181 Pa. 525, and inMaioranov.Baltimore Ohio R.R.,213 U.S. 268, applied. In theDeni Casethe Supreme Court of Pennsylvania,Page 399passing upon a statute of the State which permitted certain named relatives to recover damages for death occurring through negligence, held that the statute had no extra-territorial force and that plaintiff in the action was not within its purview, though its language possibly admitted of the inclusion of non-resident aliens. TheMaiorano Casecame to this court on writ of error to the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, where the doctrine of theDeni Casewas repeated and applied. This ruling was simply accepted by this court as the construction of the state statute by the highest court of the State.
We concede some strength of persuasion to the Pennsylvania decision but to it may be opposed the ruling in other jurisdictions.Mulhallv.Fallon,176 Mass. 266;Kellyville Coal Co. v.Petraytis,195 Ill. 217;Atchison, Topeka Santa Fe Ry. v.Mateo Fajardo et ux.,74 Kan. 314. In the latter case and inMulhallv.Fallonmany other cases are reviewed, including English and Canadian cases, and it was concluded that the weight of authority in this country and in England was that alienage is not a condition affecting a recovery under acts such as that involved in the case at bar.
InPatekv.American Smelting Company, 154 F. 190, the Circuit Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, passed on a statute of Colorado which gave a right of action for wrongful death to persons standing in certain relation to one whose death was caused by the wrongful act of another. The court, after considering the policy of the act, as manifested in the legislation, and reviewing the cases under other statutes of like character, said (p. 194): "We think that the better reason, as also the greater weight of adjudged cases, forbids that non-resident aliens be excluded, by interpretation, from among the beneficiaries designated in the statute."
We may refer to these cases for their reasoning without reproducing it, and need not do much more than add thatPage 400the policy of the Employers' Liability Act accords with and finds expression in the universality of its language. Its purpose is something more than to give compensation for the negligence of railroad companies. Even if that were its only object we might accept the distinction expressed inMulhallv.Fallon, supra, between the duties imposed by a statute upon persons in another State and benefits conferred upon them. Extra-territorial application would naturally not be given to the first, "but rights can be offered to such persons, and if, as is usually the case, the power that governs them makes no objection, there is nothing to hinder their accepting what is offered."Mulhallv.Fallon, supra(p. 268).
The rights and remedies of the statute are the means of executing its policy. If this "puts burdens on our own citizens for the benefit of non-resident aliens," as said by the District Court, quoting theDeni Case, supra, it is a burden imposed for wrongdoing that has caused the destruction of life. It is to the prevention of this that the statute is directed. It is for the protection of that life that compensation for its destruction is given and to those who have relation to it. These may be wife, children or parents. The statute, indeed, distinguishes between them, but what difference can it make where they may reside? It is the fact of their relation to the life destroyed that is the circumstance to be considered, whether we consider the injury received by them or the influence of that relation upon the life destroyed.
It is, however, contended by the railway company that the deceased McGovern assumed the risk of his employment. This is attempted to be supported by the facts in the case. The testimony of plaintiff tended to show the following facts: McGovern was killed by a train bound from New York to Philadelphia while he was engaged in cleaning snow from the tracks of the railway company when there were mist, smoke and occasional flurries ofPage 401snow. At the place where the men were working were four main lines of trackage. Shortly after nine o'clock the men were warned off what was called track No. 4 by a call of the foreman to "look out" or "heads up," in order to let a local train pass by.
McGovern and two others were working on track No. 2. There was no call to them, the practice of the foreman being to designate the track in his warning, the men on the other track continuing to work. The foreman testified that he did not see the New York train "because it was a bad morning, snowing, and the Norristown train was a little bit slack, and there was steam and smoke and snow in front of the New York train." The New York train gave no signal and no warning was given of it. It was testified that the watchman had got his feet wet and had gone to change his shoes. And it was also in testimony that the Norristown train was slow and the New York train came fast and that while the men were attracted by the first the other rushed down upon them.
There was testimony by the railway company that the engine whistled. One witness called it a "wicked whistle," and there was also testimony that the men and McGovern directly were warned that they were working in a dangerous place and to be careful.
There was testimony that the watchman was not absent and that it was his duty to notify the workmen of approaching trains; that the company, besides, have subforemen to direct the workmen; that the men are "told to be careful" and to watch for themselves "and depend upon the sub-foreman, of course. . . . No man should continue working if he sees a train coming." It further appeared that the place where the accident occurred was regarded as a dangerous place, the tracks being in frequent use.
It is hence contended by the railway company that McGovern assumed the risk of the situation and that, therefore,Page 402it was error for the District Court to refuse to give an instruction which presented that contention.
We have given the testimony in general outline, but enough to show that what conflict there was in it was for the jury to judge of and what deductions there were to be made from it were for the jury to make. And the District Court, being of this view, refused to charge the jury, as we have seen, that McGovern had assumed the risk of the situation. We cannot say that as a matter of law the court was mistaken. We see no error, therefore, in its ruling.
Plaintiff in error contends that the District Court should not have ordered a new trial because she offered to waive her rights to a trial by jury. This was not error.Judgment reversed and cause remanded for new trial.