Koller v. United States/Dissent Stewart

Mr. Justice STEWART, with whom Mr. Justice DOUGLAS and Mr. Justice WHITTAKER join, dissenting.

I do not agree that disposition of this case is controlled by the decision in Rex Trailer Co. v. United States, 350 U.S. 148, 76 S.Ct. 219, 100 L.Ed. 149. Believing that § 26(b)(1) of the Surplus Property Act of 1944, 40 U.S.C. § 489(b)(1), 40 U.S.C.A. § 489(b)(1), imposes a civil penalty, and that an action thereunder is therefore subject to the five-year limitation provided in 28 U.S.C. § 2462, 28 U.S.C.A. § 2462, I would reverse. Cf. United States ex rel. Marcus v. Hess, 317 U.S. 537, 63 S.Ct. 379, 87 L.Ed. 443; Erie Basin Metal Products, Inc., v. United States, 150 F.Supp. 561, 138 Ct.Cl. 67. See Priebe & Sons v. United States, 332 U.S. 407, 68 S.Ct. 123, 92 L.Ed. 32.