United States Supreme Court Cases & Opinions

U.S. Supreme Court

Leiter v. United States, 271 U.S. 204 (1926)

Leiter v. United States

No. 251

Argued April 19, 1926

Decided May 10, 1926

271 U.S. 204

Syllabus

1. A lease to the government for a term of years, made without specific authority of law, under an appropriation for but one fiscal year, is binding on the government only for that year. Rev.Stats. § 3732; § 3679, as amended February 27, 1906. P. 271 U. S. 206.

2. To make such a lease binding for any subsequent year, it is necessary not only that an appropriation be made available for the payment of the rent, but that the government, by its duly authorized officers, affirmatively continue the lease for such subsequent year, thereby in effect, by the adoption of the original lease, making a new lease under the authority of such appropriation for the subsequent year. P. 271 U. S. 207.

59 Ct.Cls. 907 affirmed.

Appeal from a Judgment of the Court of Claims dismissing, on demurrer, a petition to recover rentals under leases to the United States.

Page 271 U. S. 205