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Full-Text Articles in Law

Public Utility Valuation, Edwin C. Goddard Jan 1917

Public Utility Valuation, Edwin C. Goddard

Articles

EVERY consideration of valuation of a public utility, whether for the purpose of condemnation for purchase or as a basis for fixing rates or permitting the issue of stock or bonds, must start from Sinyth v. Ames, and the rule therein laid down by HARLAN, J., at page 546: "We hold, however, that the basis of all calculations as to the reasonableness of rates to be charged by a corporation maintaining a highway under legislative sanction must be the fair value of the property being used by it for the convenience of the public. And in order to ascertain that …


Rights In Percolating Waters, Ralph W. Aigler Jan 1917

Rights In Percolating Waters, Ralph W. Aigler

Articles

Almost without exception the courts approve of Acton v. Blundell, 12 M. & W. 324, to the extent of its actual decision,-that where as a result of improvement or enjoyment of one's own land one conducts operations which draw off percolating waters from a neighbor's land, even to the extent of drying up a well or spring, such inconvenience is to be deemed damnum absque injuria. The doctrine of the court "that the person who owns the surface may dig therein, and apply all that is there found to his own purposes at his free will and pleasure," if intended …


The Right Of Fishing, Ralph W. Aigler Jan 1917

The Right Of Fishing, Ralph W. Aigler

Articles

While the man engaged in fishing is ordinarily more concerned with the supply of fish and their susceptibility than with his right to be doing what he is, not infrequently the latter question is thrust upon his attention. Popular notions on this matter are not to be relied upon. "In country life a multitude of acts are habitually committed that are technically trespasses. Persons walk, catch fish, pick berries, and gather nuts in alieno solo, without strict right. Good natured owners tolerate these practices until they become annoying or injurious, and then put a stop to them," ADAMS, J., in …


The Scope Of The Mann Act, Ralph W. Aigler Jan 1917

The Scope Of The Mann Act, Ralph W. Aigler

Articles

As was to be expected in view of the well-settled doctrine of the Supreme Court that the constitutional grant of power to regulate interstate commerce includes power of control over transportation of persons as well as property, it was held in Hoke v. United States, 227 U. S. 308, 57 L. Ed. 523, 33 Sup. Ct. 281, that the WHITE SLAVE TRAFFIC ACT of 1910 (36 Stat. 825), usually referred to as the MANN ACT, was constitutional. State legislation covering the same ground, it has been held, has been displaced. State v. Harper, 48 Mont. 456, 138 Pac. 495.


The Patentability Of A Mental Process, John B. Waite Jan 1917

The Patentability Of A Mental Process, John B. Waite

Articles

The fact of possession has been so correlated with the theory of property that it is difficult to dissociate ownership from the possibility of physical possession. One finds that the average lawyer, even though he may defind a right in rem as a right enforcible against any person, is extremely apt, unless after especial thought, to explain that it is enforcible against anyone because it pertains to a thing capable of physical possession and control, a thing that could be actually sequestered, from all other persons. Not at all infrequently the term property has been judicially stripped even of its …


The Patentability Of A Principle Of Nature, John B. Waite Jan 1917

The Patentability Of A Principle Of Nature, John B. Waite

Articles

The extent to which courts will go in conceding patentability to a natural law, or principle of nature, is evidenced in the case of Minerals Separation Co. v. Hyde, 37 Sup. Ct. -, decided by the Supreme Court, December 11, 1916. It has always been more or less an axiom of patent law that the discovery of a principle of nature does not entitle the discoverer to a patent for it. The case usually thought of first as authority therefor, is that of Morton v. New York Eye Infirmary, 5 Blatch. 116, 2 Fisher 320. The patentees in that case …


What Service Gives Jurisdiction In Person, John R. Rood Jan 1917

What Service Gives Jurisdiction In Person, John R. Rood

Articles

On March 6th, 1917, the Supreme Court of the United States, in the case of McDonald v. Mabee, reversing the decision of the Supreme Court of Texas, in 175 S. W. 676, held that a judgment in foreclosure proceedings in which the defendant was served only by publication did not merge the cause of action so as to bar a suit on the original notes for the balance unpaid by the sale of the mortgaged property on the foreclosure, although the statute of the state declared such service sufficient to give jurisdiction in personam, and the defendant was a citizen …


Prohibiting Advertising On Walls And Buildings Under The Police Power, W. Gordon Stoner Jan 1917

Prohibiting Advertising On Walls And Buildings Under The Police Power, W. Gordon Stoner

Articles

There have been many unsuccessful attempts by city authorities of late to abolish or prevent unsightly billboards and advertising. In a recent case A was arrested and fined for violating a city ordinance prohibiting the display of advertising matter on walls and buildings within the city without the consent of the city council. On refusal to pay the fine A was held in the custody of the city marshal, and brought habeas corpus to secure his release. The court held that the affidavit charged no violation of the ordinance unless it were construed as prohibiting the painting of any sign …


Simplification Of Judicial Procedure In Federal Courts, Edson R. Sunderland Jan 1917

Simplification Of Judicial Procedure In Federal Courts, Edson R. Sunderland

Articles

In 1914 the Judiciary Committee of the House of Representatives unanimously reported favorably upon a bill (H. R. 133) authorizing the Supreme Court of the United States to prescribe by rule the forms, kind and character of the entire pleading, practice and procedure to be used in all actions and proceedings at law in the federal courts, with a view to their simplification, which rules should, when promulgated, take precedence of any law in conflict therewith. On January 2, 1917, a similar bill (S. 4551) was favorably reported from the Senate Judiciary Committee by a distinguished graduate of this Law …


Safeguarding The Criminal Defendant, Edson R. Sunderland Jan 1917

Safeguarding The Criminal Defendant, Edson R. Sunderland

Articles

Every now and then a new attack is made somewhere in the United States upon the rule prohibiting comment before the jury upon the fact that the defendant in a criminal case has not testified as a witness in his own behalf. At the present time an effort of this kind is being made in the Michigan legislature, and the introduction of the bill drew quite a little storm of protest from the State press as a dangerous inroad upon our ancient guarantees of personal liberty and security. In fact, however, it directly touches nothing more ancient than a statutory …


Rights In Percolating Waters, Ralph W. Aigler Jan 1917

Rights In Percolating Waters, Ralph W. Aigler

Articles

Almost without exception the courts approve of Acton v. Blundell, 12 M. & W. 324, to the extent of its actual decision,-that where as a result of improvement or enjoyment of one's own land one conducts operations which draw off percolating waters from a neighbor's land, even to the extent of drying up a well or spring, such inconvenience is to be deemed damnum absque injuria. The doctrine of the court "that the person who owns the surface may dig therein, and apply all that is there found to his own purposes at his free will and pleasure," if intended …


The Right Of Fishing, Ralph W. Aigler Jan 1917

The Right Of Fishing, Ralph W. Aigler

Articles

While the man engaged in fishing is ordinarily more concerned with the supply of fish and their susceptibility than with his right to be doing what he is, not infrequently the latter question is thrust upon his attention. Popular notions on this matter are not to be relied upon. "In country life a multitude of acts are habitually committed that are technically trespasses. Persons walk, catch fish, pick berries, and gather nuts in alieno solo, without strict right. Good natured owners tolerate these practices until they become annoying or injurious, and then put a stop to them," ADAMS, J., in …


State Legislation Extending To Navigable Waters, Ralph W. Aigler Jan 1917

State Legislation Extending To Navigable Waters, Ralph W. Aigler

Articles

In Southern Pacific Company v. Jensen, 37 Sup. Ct. -, decided May 21, 1917, the Supreme Court announces a decision in some respects of far reaching importance. It was held therein, Mr. Justice HOLMEs dissenting, that the WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION ACT of the State of New York did not support an award to the widow and children of a workman killed on board a ship of the Company while at the pier in New York City. Clearly the terms of the New York act covered the case, unless the fact that the accident occurred on navigable waters of the United States …


Reletting On Abandonment By Tenant As Surrender By Operation Of Law, Ralph W. Aigler Jan 1917

Reletting On Abandonment By Tenant As Surrender By Operation Of Law, Ralph W. Aigler

Articles

Among the very many difficult problems arising under the STATUTE OF FRAUDS not the least troublesome has been that of surrender of estates by "operation of law." The Statute (29 Car. II, c.3,§3,) provided that "no leases * * * shall * * * be assigned, granted, or surrendered, unless it be by deed or note in writing, * * * or by act and operation of law." Under a number of varying situations it has been held that a surrender by operation of law had been accomplished. See 2 TIFFANY, LANDLORD AND TENANT, §190. In Lyon v. Reed, 13 …


The 'Right' To Break A Contract, Willard T. Barbour Jan 1917

The 'Right' To Break A Contract, Willard T. Barbour

Articles

It is common knowledge that the fully developed common law affords no means to compel the performance of a contract according to its terms. Does it follow from this that there is no legal obligation to perform a contract, or if obligation there be, that it is alternative: to perform or pay damages? A note in the XIV MICH. L. REV. 480 appears to give an affirmative answer to this question and at least one court (Frye v. Hubbell, 74 N. H. 358, at p. 374) has taken the same view. Probably the most forcible exposition of this position is …


Liability Of Public Officer For The Loss Of Private Funds Entrusted To His Keeping, W. Gordon Stoner Jan 1917

Liability Of Public Officer For The Loss Of Private Funds Entrusted To His Keeping, W. Gordon Stoner

Articles

There is much contrariety of decision concerning the liability of public officers for the loss of funds with which they have been entrusted. A recent case illustrates some of the more important phases of the law of such a situation. People for use of Hoyt et al. v. McGrath et al. (Ill. 1917), I17 N. E. 74. In this case the public brought an action of debt on the official bond of the clerk of court for the use of Hoyt and others. Usees had tendered into court a sum of money which the clerk took under the court's order …


The Scope Of The Mann Act, Ralph W. Aigler Jan 1917

The Scope Of The Mann Act, Ralph W. Aigler

Articles

As was to be expected in view of the well-settled doctrine of the Supreme Court that the constitutional grant of power to regulate interstate commerce includes power of control over transportation of persons as well as property, it was held in Hoke v. United States, 227 U. S. 308, 57 L. Ed. 523, 33 Sup. Ct. 281, that the WHITE SLAVE TRAFFIC ACT of 1910 (36 Stat. 825), usually referred to as the MANN ACT, was constitutional. State legislation covering the same ground, it has been held, has been displaced. State v. Harper, 48 Mont. 456, 138 Pac. 495.


Reletting On Abandonment By Tenant As Surrender By Operation Of Law, Ralph W. Aigler Jan 1917

Reletting On Abandonment By Tenant As Surrender By Operation Of Law, Ralph W. Aigler

Articles

Among the very many difficult problems arising under the STATUTE OF FRAUDS not the least troublesome has been that of surrender of estates by "operation of law." The Statute (29 Car. II, c.3,§3,) provided that "no leases * * * shall * * * be assigned, granted, or surrendered, unless it be by deed or note in writing, * * * or by act and operation of law." Under a number of varying situations it has been held that a surrender by operation of law had been accomplished. See 2 TIFFANY, LANDLORD AND TENANT, §190. In Lyon v. Reed, 13 …


What Words Create A Power?, John R. Rood Jan 1917

What Words Create A Power?, John R. Rood

Articles

As the right to sell may exist either as a result of ownership, or by virtue of a power without or independent of ownership, it is sometimes a question whether words indicating a right to sell, contained in an instrument granting an estate, are intended to give a power, or are merely descriptive of the rights incident to the estate given. When property is devised without any designation of the estate given, and the devise is followed by words indicating that the devisee is to have the right of absolute disposal in fee, or to sell in fee, it has …


Changing Legal Order, Floyd R. Mechem Jan 1916

Changing Legal Order, Floyd R. Mechem

Articles

No abstract provided.


The Correlation Of Work For Higher Degrees In Graduate Schools And Law Schools, Ernst Freund Jan 1916

The Correlation Of Work For Higher Degrees In Graduate Schools And Law Schools, Ernst Freund

Articles

No abstract provided.


Act Intention And Motive In The Criminal Law, Walter Wheeler Cook Jan 1916

Act Intention And Motive In The Criminal Law, Walter Wheeler Cook

Articles

No abstract provided.


The Alienability Of Choses In Action, Walter Wheeler Cook Jan 1916

The Alienability Of Choses In Action, Walter Wheeler Cook

Articles

No abstract provided.


When Is A Preferential Transfer Required To Be Recorded?, Evans Holbrook Jan 1916

When Is A Preferential Transfer Required To Be Recorded?, Evans Holbrook

Articles

In the recent case of Carey v. Donohue, 36 Sup. Ct. 386, the Supreme Court of the United States has passed on a question that has for years been vexing the Circuit Courts of Appeals, namely: When is the recording of a preferential transfer "required" under § 60 of the'Bankruptcy Act of 1898 as amended in 1903 and 1910. § 60a (as amended in 1903) defines a preference as a transaction by which property of an insolvent debtor is transferred, within four months before his bankruptcy, in such a way that the debt owing to one of his creditors will …


Mortgagee In Possession In New York And Michigan, Edgar N. Durfee Jan 1916

Mortgagee In Possession In New York And Michigan, Edgar N. Durfee

Articles

It is interesting to observe how tenaciously the old common law of mortgages has persisted in the state of New York, the very cradle of the modem lien theory of the mortgage. As early as 1802 Chancellor KENT began the importation into that state of Lord MANSFIELD'S Civil Law doctrines of mortgage. Johnson v. Hart, 3 Johns. Cas. 322. In 1814, in the case of Runyan v. Mersereau, 11 Johns. 534, the lien theory definitely triumphed over the old law. In other cases, both before and since the statute of 1828 denying ejectment to the mortgagee, the details of mortgage …


Performance Of Legal Obligation As A Consideration For A Promise, John B. Waite Jan 1916

Performance Of Legal Obligation As A Consideration For A Promise, John B. Waite

Articles

At a time when the true reasonableness of the common law and its responsiveness to the actualities of life are under criticism, it is interesting to find several cases, within the past year, affirming the old rule that performance of a legal duty is not consideration for a promise. In Vance v. Ellison, (V. Va.) 85 S. E. 776, suit was brought to enjoin the enforcement of a deed of trust executed by plaintiff to defendant, to secure payment of $1000 promised for legal services. It was admitted that when the deed was executed the defendant was already bound by …


Recovery Of The Purchase Price Before Title Has Passed, John B. Waite Jan 1916

Recovery Of The Purchase Price Before Title Has Passed, John B. Waite

Articles

In an action recently instituted by The General Electric Co. to recover on a contract to manufacture certain machinery for the defendant, which machinery the defendant had refused to accept, the trial court adopted the contract price as the measure of damages. The upper court approved this measure of damages, rejecting the argument that the measure should have been the difference between the market value and the contract price, and dismissed, as no longer appropriate to modern conditions, the decisions in Bement v. Smith, 15 Wend. (N. Y.) 493, and Shawhan v. Van Nest. 25 Oh. St. 490. The court …


Rule Against Perpetuities As Applied To Options, John R. Rood Jan 1916

Rule Against Perpetuities As Applied To Options, John R. Rood

Articles

Does the rule against perpetuities render unlimited options void? This is a question which the English courts answered affirmatively some thirty-five years ago; new aspects of the question have been frequently presented to those courts since that time, and conclusions not easy to reconcile have been reached. It is believed that the present status of the law in England is that an option is like any other interest in land, void if it may arise at too remote a time, otherwise not. This conclusion is based on the decision in Borland's Trustees v. Steel Bros. & Co. [1901] 1 Ch. …


Estates In Fee Tail, Ralph W. Aigler Jan 1916

Estates In Fee Tail, Ralph W. Aigler

Articles

Quite generally estates in fee tail under the Statute de Donis were recognized by the states as a part of the common law. Statutory provisions in the way of modification and abolishment of such estates, however, are very common. The nature and scope of the statutory provisions have varied.


A Definition Of Consideration, John B. Waite Jan 1916

A Definition Of Consideration, John B. Waite

Articles

COMPOSING general statements of law is at best a didactic pursuit rather than a practically useful one, however agreeable an occupation it may be. The particulars of the past are not evaded by statement of their essence, and courts tend to guide their rulings by analogy to specific precedents in preference to rules educed therefrom by however studious laymen. And, on the other hand, the general expressions and definitions, so called, formulated by courts themselves, often hastily and hap-hazardly, which have been followed by other courts, do more to confuse the law, and confute its real precision of statement, than …