In Re City of Seattle

The city of Seattle commenced a condemnation proceeding against certain parcels of real property owned by respondents. Title to the condemned property vested in the city on January 14, 1953, when the amounts awarded by the jury were paid into the registry of the court.

When respondents applied for their awards, the clerk of the King county superior court conditioned delivery upon the payment of the 1953 real-estate taxes on the properties. He refused the offer of respondents to pay the pro rata portion of the taxes for the period from January 1, 1953, through January 14, 1953, when title to…