Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 76A.djvu/385

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–289–

-289(b) I n case of service otherwise than by publication, the certificate or affidavit shall state the time and place of service. § 168. When jurisdiction acquired; voluntary appearance From the time of the service of a copy of the summons and of the complaint in a civil action, where service of a copy of the complaint is required, or of the completion of the publication when service by publication is ordered, the court has jurisdiction of the parties and control of all the subsequent proceedings. The voluntary appearance of a defendant is equivalent to personal service of a copy of the summons and of the complaint upon him. § 169. Failure to serve all defendants If the action is against two or more defendants jointly or severally liable on a contract, and the summons is served on one or more, but not on all of them, the plaintiff may proceed against the defendants served in the same manner as if they were the only defendants. § 170. Service on nonresident motorists and absent motorists (a) The use or operation in the Canal Zone of a motor vehicle: (1) by a nonresident; or (2) in the business of a nonresident; or (3) owned by a nonresident if so used or operated with his permission, express or implied— is equivalent to an appointment by the nonresident of the executive secretary of the Canal Zone Government to be his true and lawful attorney upon whom may be served the summons in an action against him, growing out of an accident or collision in which the nonresident may be involved while using or operating the motor vehicle in the Canal Zone, or in which the motor vehicle may be involved while being used or operated in the Canal Zone in the business of the nonresident or with the permission, express or implied, of the nonresident owner. That use or operation shall be a signification of the nonresident's agreement that the summons against him which is served in the manner provided in this section shall be of the same legal force and validity as if served on him personally within the Canal Zone, and that the appointment of the executive secretary shall be irrevocable and binding on his executor or administrator. (b) If the nonresident dies prior to the commencement of an action brought pursuant to this section, service of process shall be made on his executor or administrator in the same manner and on the same notice as is provided in the case of the nonresident himself. If an action has been duly commenced under this section by service upon a nonresident who dies thereafter, the court shall allow the action to be continued against his executor or administrator upon motion with such notice as the court deems proper. (c) Service of the process shall be made by delivering a copy of the summons and complaint with a fee of $2 for each nonresident to be served to the executive secretary of the Canal Zone Government and such service shall be a sufficient service on the nonresident subject to compliance with subsection (d) or (e) of this section. (d) A notice of the service on the executive secretary of the Canal Zone Government and a copy of the summons and complaint shall be forthwith sent by or on behalf of the plaintiff to the defendant by registered or certified mail with return receipt requested. The plaintiff shall file with the court the original summons, an affidavit of compliance with this section, and either a return receipt purporting to be signed by the defendant or a person qualified to receive his registered or certified mail, in accordance with postal rules and customs: or, if acceptance was refused by the defendant or his agent, the original envelope bearing a notation by the postal authorities that