*Chance v. Lambeth was decided on this date in 1951. This suit was brought to the United States Court of Appeals Fourth Circuit by William C. Chance.
He was a 64-year-old Black school teacher trying to recover damages from the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Company. This was because he was wrongfully ejected because of his race from a railroad car on which he was an interstate passenger on June 25, 1948.
Additionally, because he was subjected to unlawful arrest and imprisonment in connection with his ejection from the car, jurisdiction was based on the diversity of citizenship. There was a judgment for the defendant on the first cause of action and the plaintiff on the second cause of action, as well as cross-appeals.
Argued by Spottswood Robinson on January 11, 1951, judgment was entered for the defendant on the first cause of action. The jury to which the question was first submitted and later the judge, who concluded that the question was one of law to be decided by him, found that the regulation was lawful and reasonable.
