2 Wn.2d 614, THE STATE OF WASHINGTON, on the Relation of J. E. Layton, Respondent, v. WALTER J. ROBINSON, as State Director of Agriculture, Appellant
[No. 27620. Department One.     Supreme Court      February 15, 1940.]
THE STATE OF WASHINGTON, on the Relation of J. E.
           Layton, Respondent, v. WALTER J. ROBINSON,
      as State Director of Agriculture, Appellant.«1»

[1] APPEAL AND ERROR - RIGHT TO APPEAL - CESSATION OF CONTROVERSY - MOOT QUESTIONS. Where a judgment reversing an order of the director of agriculture canceling a certificate of registration was entered March 13, 1939, and the certificate expired March 31, 1939, the question has become moot, and the appeal of the director from the judgment will be dismissed.

[2] STATES - VENUE - ACTIONS AGAINST STATE - REVIEW OF ORDER OF DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE - STATUTORY PROVISIONS. Under Laws of 1937, chapter 37, p. 88, § 9, providing that any order of the director of agriculture canceling or refusing to register a brand shall be subject to review by any court of competent jurisdiction, the superior court of King county has jurisdiction to review such an order, and Rem. Rev. Stat., § 886, requiring claims against the state to be brought in the superior court of Thurston county, has no application.

Appeal from a judgment of the superior court for King county, Douglas, J., entered March 13, 1939, reversing an order of the state department of agriculture canceling a certificate of registration. Appeal dismissed.

The Attorney General and Geo. G. Hannan, Assistant, for appellant.

Lewis, Black & Ghormley, for respondent.

MAIN, J. -

This is an appeal from a judgment of the superior court reversing an order of the director of the state department of agriculture. The appellant is Walter J. Robinson, as director of that department. The respondent, J. E. Layton, did business under the trade name and style of Production Laboratories, in the city of Seattle.

«1» Reported in 99 P. (2d) 402.

[1] See 3 Am. Jur. 308.

STATE EX REL. LAYTON v. ROBINSON. 615
Feb. 1940] Opinion Per MAIN, J.

Pursuant to § 5, chapter 37, Laws of 1937, p. 87, the appellant issued to the respondent a certificate of registration for the year beginning April 1, 1937, and ending March 31, 1938, by which the latter was permitted to manufacture and sell a product called "Coxol" or "Red-Hed Coxol." This product is sold as a remedy or treatment for coccidiosis in poultry. By stipulation, the registration certificate was continued for an additional year, expiring March 31, 1939.

January 7, 1938, the appellant prepared and filed in his office a complaint, which required the respondent to show cause why his certificate of registration should not be canceled. Thereafter, a hearing was had in Seattle, and, on account of the convenience of witnesses, in a number of other places. The hearing resulted in findings by the appellant that "Coxol" was of no substantial value, and, in fact, its tendency was to be harmful when used. An order was entered canceling the certificate. The respondent took this order before the superior court for review, and the cause was there heard on the record made in the hearing before the appellant. No additional testimony was taken. The trial court made findings of fact to the effect that "Coxol," when properly used, was not detrimental or injurious, and that it was of substantial value as a remedy for coccidiosis. Judgment was entered reversing the order of the appellant, from which he appealed.

The respondent opens his brief with a motion to dismiss the appeal for two reasons, one of which is that the question has become moot.

[1] The judgment of the superior court was entered March 13, 1939. The certificate of registration for the second year expired March 31st of that year. Subsequent to that time, the respondent had no certificate which could be affected by any judgment that

616 STATE EX REL. LAYTON v. ROBINSON.
Opinion Per MAIN, J. [2 Wn. (2d)

this court might direct. The question clearly had become moot or academic. It being no longer a question at issue, this court will not pass on a moot question, even though both parties may desire such determination.

In State ex rel. Johnston v. Tommy Burns, Inc., 188 Wash. 263, 62 P. (2d) 47, after stating the question which had earlier been in the case, it was said:

"Although respondents also urge us to decide this question upon the merits, we decline to do so. The question is purely academic, and this court is not required to pass upon such questions. Courts will not knowingly determine moot questions, however much both parties desire such determination."

The cases of Holly-Mason Hardware Co. v. Schnatterly, 111 Wash. 29, 189 Pac. 545, and State ex rel. Burnham v. Superior Court, 180 Wash. 519, 41 P. (2d) 155, are to the same effect.