Mason v. United States

Petitioners in this case ask recovery from defendant for denial of their alleged prior rights to repurchase surplus Government property.

Plaintiffs formerly owned tracts of land situated in Hardin and Meade Counties, Kentucky. Through direct purchase and condemnation, the Government acquired the land from plaintiffs or their predecessors in 1941 and 1942 for use as part of the Fort Knox military reservation. In 1957 the property was declared surplus by the Government, and plans for its sale at a public auction to be held on December 10,1957, were announced. Upon learning of the proposed sale,…