United States v. Five Parcels of Land in Harris County, Texas

WALLER, Circuit Judge.

The only question involved in this case is whether or not the landowners in condemnation proceedings by the United States are entitled to compensation for the increased value to the lands caused by dredging, filling, and leveling of same by the United States while the lands were under lease to it or its agents, pripr to the institution of condemnation proceedings.

On February 15, and on April 15, 1941, the lands involved in this suit were leased by the owners to the Houston Shipbuilding Corporation at a stipulated yearly rental. In the leases it was contemplated that some…