McLavy v. American Legion Housing Corp.

79 So. 2d 316, 227 La. 300, 1955 La. LEXIS 1244
CourtSupreme Court of Louisiana
DecidedFebruary 14, 1955
DocketNo. 40082
StatusPublished
Cited by11 cases

This text of 79 So. 2d 316 (McLavy v. American Legion Housing Corp.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Supreme Court of Louisiana primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
McLavy v. American Legion Housing Corp., 79 So. 2d 316, 227 La. 300, 1955 La. LEXIS 1244 (La. 1955).

Opinion

MOISE, Justice.

In a suit brought under the Declaratory Judgment Act, Act 431 of 1948, Act 22 of the Extra Session of 1948, LSA — Revised Statutes 13:4231 et seq., the Judge of the Nineteenth Judicial District Court for the Parish of East Baton Rouge rendered a judgment in favor of the defendants and against the plaintiffs, which—

(a) Sustained the pleas of prescription filed by the Sewerage District No. 8;
(b) Sustained the exceptions of misjoinder of parties plaintiff filed by the National Home Mortgage Company, Inc., Crawford Corporation, American Legion Housing Corporation, Kansas City Title Insurance Company, and American Homes, Inc.; and
(c)' Sustained the exceptions of no right or cause of action and the plea to the jurisdiction of the court filed on behalf of .all said defendants;

and, accordingly, dismissed plaintiffs’ suit at their cost.

From that judgment the plaintiffs prosecute this devolutive appeal.

The American Legion Housing Corporation was formed by Nicholson Post No. 38, American Legion, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to assist Veterans of World War II obtain housing. The Post owned all of the stock, acquired land from the government, made contracts for its improvement, and sold the houses to veterans at alleged cost plus a small overhead. The project was known as “Legion Village.”

Plaintiffs, purchasers of homes in “Legion Village”, allege that at the time they entered into contracts for the purchase of their homes, they were under the impression that everything was paid for “Right up to the keys of the front door.” They declare that it was their understanding that all they would have to pay would be their monthly payments for the price of their homes. Their purchases were made during the latter part of 1947 and early 1948, and in December, 1948 they received notice from the City National Bank of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, that there was due an annual sewerage charge of $40, payable quarterly, assessed to retire a thirty year bond issue. Plaintiffs, 121 Veterans, deny that they owe. anything for sewerage service. They contend that if any charges are due for the sewerage system, the charges should be paid by their vendor and contractor.

The plaintiffs’ prayer is for a declaratory judgment in their favor, relieving them of responsibility for the sewerage charge. In the alternative, they pray that there be judgment in their favor and against Sewerage District No. 8 of the Parish of East Baton Rouge, Louisiana, declaring that the [306]*306sewerage charges levied upon petitioners is nothing more than an ordinary tax, and, therefore, subject to be included under the homestead exemption granted to plaintiffs by the Legislature of the State of Louisiana. In the alternative, plaintiffs ask that the Sewerage District be permanently enjoined from levying or collecting, by itself or its agents, any charges whatsoever for the purpose of retiring the revenue bonds issued for the construction of the Sewerage District No. 8. In the alternative, they further set forth “ * * * that Act 218 of 1946 [LSA-R.S. 33:4161 et seq.] be declared unconstitutional, and that there be rendered a declaratory judgment against the Kansas City Title Insurance Company of Missouri, a monied judgment in the sum of $1,200.00 to each petitioner. * * * and for all cost of suit.”

It is a self evident fact, in view of petitioners’ prayer, that the Declaratory Judgment Act of 1948 could not possibly apply.

The following are made parties defendant :

1. The American Legion Housing Corporation, the vendor;
2. Crawford Corporation, the contractor ;
3. National Home Mortgage Company, Inc., the mortgage company who handled all the mortgages for the houses sold;
4. Kansas City Title Insurance Company, who insured the validity of the mortgages taken by National Home
Mortgage Company, Inc., on the houses; and
5.American Homes, Inc., contractor for 33 additional homes other than those built by the American Legion.

The defendants filed the following exceptions :

Crawford Corporation:

1. Exception of misjoinder of parties defendant;
2. Exception of misjoinder of parties plaintiff;
3. Exception of wrongful cumulation of actions; and
4. Exception of no cause of action.

National Home Mortgage Company, Inc.:

1. Exception of misjoinder of parties defendant;
2. Exception of misjoinder of parties plaintiff;
3. Exception of wrongful cumulation of actions; and
4. Exception of no cause of action.

Sevoerage District No. 8 of the Parish of East Baton Rouge:

1. A plea of lack of jurisdiction of the court ratione materiae to allow any contest as to the legality and validity of said bonds because it was made long past the delay permitted by Article 14, Section 14n of the State Constitution [LSA], Section 10 of Act 218 of 1946 [LSA-R.S. 33:4260] and Section 43 of Act 46 of 1921 [LSA-R.S. 39 :- 518];
[308]*3082. An exception of no cause or fight of action; and
3. A plea of prescription of thirty and sixty days.

Kansas City Title Insurance Company: .

1. Exception of no cause or right of action;
2. Exception for failure to fully state the names arid places of residence of the plaintiffs;'
3. Oyer of its policies;
4. Misjoinder of parties plaintiff;
5. Misjoinder of parties defendant; and
6. Wrongful cumulation of actions.

American Legion Housing Corporation:

1. Exception of nonjoinder of parties plaintiff;
2. Exception of nonjoinder of parties defendant;
3. Exception of misjoinder of parties plaintiff; and
4. Exception of misjoinder of parties defendant;
5. Want of capacity in that the suit purports to be a class action, a form of action unknown to the laws of Louisiana;
6. Improper cumulation of actions;
7. Prematurity;
8. Vagueness, particularly as to relief sought;
9. No cause or right of action; and
10.Prescription of thirty and sixty days.

American Homes:

1. Exception of misjoinder of parties-defendant;
2. Exception of misjoinder of parties, plaintiff;
3. Exception of wrongful cumulation: of actions; and
4. Exception of no cause of action..

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Bluebook (online)
79 So. 2d 316, 227 La. 300, 1955 La. LEXIS 1244, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/mclavy-v-american-legion-housing-corp-la-1955.