United States Supreme Court Cases & Opinions

U.S. Supreme Court

United States v. Babcock, 250 U.S. 328 (1919)

United States v. Babcock

Nos. 708, 915

Argued April 15, 1919

Decided June 2, 1919

250 U.S. 328

Syllabus

The Act of March 3, 1885, c. 335, 23 Stat. 350, authorizing payment, after examination and determination by the accounting officers of the Treasury, of claims for property belonging to officers and enlisted men and lost or destroyed in the military service under certain circumstances, provides

"that any claim which shall be presented and acted on under authority of this act shall be held as finally determined, and shall never thereafter be reopened or considered."

Held that this proviso clearly confers exclusive and final jurisdiction on the Treasury Department, so that claims under the act are not within the jurisdiction of the Court of Claims. P. 250 U. S. 331. United States v. Laughlin, 249 U. S. 440, distinguished.

Under the Acts of January 9, 1883, c. 15, 22 Stat. 401, and August 13, 1888, c. 868, 25 Stat. 437, the right to present claims for the loss, etc., of horses in the military service, under § 3482, Rev.Stats., as amended by the Act of June 22, 1874, c. 395, 18 Stat. 193, expired in 1891. Id.

53 Ct.Clms. 629; 54 id. 1, reversed.

Page 250 U. S. 329

The cases are stated in the opinion.