Johnson & Higgins v. United States, 287 U.S. 459 (1932)
U.S. Supreme Court
Johnson & Higgins v. United States, 287 U.S. 459 (1932)
Johnson & Higgins of California v. United States
No. 166
Argued December 9, 1932
Decided December 19, 1932
287 U.S. 459
Syllabus
Cargo, while being carried free on an Army transport, was damaged by water used to put out a fire. Insurers of the cargo having claimed contribution from the Government, and the Judge Advocate
General having advised that the claim was valid, the officer of the Quartermaster Corps who was responsible for the operation of the vessel engaged a private firm to prepare a general average statement for a reasonable compensation. Held that the contract was authorized even if the Government was not liable for general average, since that question was not free from doubt and the duty of preparing the statement lay on the officer, and, in discharging it, he was entitled to have the assistance of general average adjusters.
74 Ct.Cls. 331 reversed.
Certiorari to review a judgment rejecting a claim against the United States for services and expenses in preparing a general average statement.