Document: 338 U.S. 217 70 S.Ct. 10 94 L.Ed. 3 UNITED STATESv.SPELAR. No. 42. Argued Oct. 18, 1949. Decided Nov. 7, Mr. Samuel D. Slade, Washington, D.C., for petitioner. Arnold B. Elkind, New York City, respondent. Justice REED delivered the opinion of Court. 1 The Federal Tort Claims Act is inapplicable by its terms to 'any claim arising in a foreign country.'1 Court Appeals Second Circuit has held that this provision does not bar suit against Government an allegedly wrongful death occurring at Newfoundland air base under long-term lease United States.2 We are hwer asked review decision. 2 Flight engineer Mark Spelar, employee American Overseas Airlines, was killed on October 3, 1946, take-off crash Harmon Field, Newfoundland. This airbase one areas leased ninety-nine years Great Britain States pursuant same executive agreement and leases discussed length Vermilya-Brown Co., Inc., v. Connell, 335 377, 69 140. Spelar's administratrix, respondent here, initiated action District Eastern York, district where she resides. She alleges fatal accident caused Government's negligent operation Field. local law which underlies her cause Newfoundland's statute authorizing executor or administrator bring from negligence.3 Upon motion, be 'arising country,' dismissed complaint want jurisdiction. reversed. Our decision Fair Labor Standards Act, 29 U.S.C.A. § 201 et seq., applies such military bases deemed 'persuasive, if well-nigh conclusive' issue here.4 Because broad interpretation put upon our Vermilya-Brown, because substantially affects area private Government, we granted certiorari, 336 950, 884. court below erred. Sufficient basis conclusion lies express words statute. know no more accurate phrase common English usage than 'foreign country' denote territory subject sovereignty another nation.5 By exclusion 'claims coverage geared States. repeat what said page 380, 142. 'The arrangements were acquired did intended transfer over States.' 'arose,' remained lay within country.' must barred. 4 If enough, however, sustain result, think legislative history behind concludes all doubt. 1946 product some twenty-eight congressional drafting redrafting, amendment counter-amendment.6 draft being considered 1942 House Committee Judiciary exempted claims country behalf alien.'7 At suggestion Attorney General, last five excised revised version bill,8 so exemption assumed form ultimately enacted into law.9 superseded had made waiver traditional immunity turn fortuitous circumstance injured party's citizenship. amended identified with scope sovereignty. record Hearings tells us why. quote pertinent colloquy between Assistant General Francis M. Shea, who explained General's bill Judiciary, Congressman Robsion committee. 5 'Mr. Shea. * have been bill, H.R. 6463, whether claimant alien. Since liability determined situs act omission it wise restrict country. seems desirable particular State applied. Otherwise, will lead I good deal difficulty. 6 Robsion. You mean any representative committed tort England other could reached this? 7 That right. would come Congress.'10 8 In brief, though Congress ready aside great portion sovereign's ancient unquestioned suit, unwilling liabilities depending laws power. respected. present premised entirely law, may asserted contravention will. 9 To extent Connell application case bar, stands as authority result postulates effected respect concerned.11 For rest, there word 'possessions' necessarily imply sovereignty, concluded matter bases, existence time passed, included sense used statutory language relating ambit differ those Act; since prior enactment here involved, problem determining done when faced new situation exist case. Foley Bros. Filardo,12 occasion refer 'canon construction teaches legislation Congress, unless contrary intent appears, meant apply only territorial jurisdiction .' presumption, far overcome doubly fortified purpose underlying it. 11 12 Reversed. 13 Justie DOUGLAS took part consideration 14 FRANKFURTER, concurring. 15 aspects, doubt, every presents unique interpretation. But presupppositions judicial process construing should neither capricious nor ad hoc. While normally, therefore, very fruitful disagreement either rendering mode reached, involves implications touching silence carry significance beyond immediate 16 agree afford right conduct through employees, longterm Britain. road traveled Court's reaching seem me way get there. 17 finds Act's restriction compelling excluding base, kind control exercises these less year ago found term Standars including bases. Co. assume like self-defining, involving choice judgment, mechanical jurisprudence best. These do fixed inclusive meanings, true mathematical scientific terms. Both penumbral true, instance, verbal designations weights measures. It precision content differentiates most political, legal language. 18 A bear relation entangling relationships nations Britian country, means today days Chief Marshall, even Brown. concept 'sovereignty' state solution days. find single undeviating while 'POSSESSIONS' OF THE STATES IS incLuding them, despite momentum historic meaning experience leading 'possessions,' give appearance logically compulsive force decisions. fails recognize supple raw materials adjudication unmindful considerations policy underlie, consciously unconsciously, seemingly variant When many able judges can misconceive supra, they source difficulty cannot wholly lawyer judges. 19 led join dissent concur 20 JACKSON, 21 reach result; but hardly so, Court, reiteration prevailing decision, taken one, adds up this: chance work overtime he maintain extra wages, penalties interest, 'possession' However, place, proceed recover, then uninitiated modern methods somewhat esoteric doctrine place legally both possession disparity results holding refers calls them countries.' incoherence thought speech unconstitutional use contrariety describe thing, pay assuming lightly indulges inconsistencies make almost meaningless. There reason inconsistency statutes rather written them. events, correct, and, contradicted effect retreat latter. 62 Stat. 984, 28 U.S.C. (Supp. II), 2680(k), 2680(k). identical instituted contained 60 846, 943(k). Spelar States, Cir., 171 F.2d 208. Cons.Stats. (3d Series), c. 213. Local pleaded permits 'where person, liable accordance occurred.' 843, 931(a). substance now embodied 933, U.S.C.(Supp. 1346(b), 1346(b). 208, 209. See Brown De Lima Bidwell, 182 1, 180, 743, 746, 45 1041: 'A defined Marshall Story exclusively nation, without Eliza, Gall. 4, Fed.Cas.No.4,346; Taber Fed.Cas.No.13,722; Adventure, Brock. 235, 241, Fed.Cas.No.93.' Agitation reform cumbersome procedure bore first fruit 14737 introduced third Session Sixty-fifth 1919. continuously before until final passage Seventy-ninth Congress. revision Judicial Code, June 25, 1948, 869, minor amendments, relevant made. 5373, 77th Cong., 2d Sess., 303 (12). Hearings, 5373 pp. 29, 35, 66. 402(12). shape largely during course Subsequently reintroduced substantial modification further hearings 79th session S. 2221, reported favorably Senate (S. Rep. 1196, Sess.), passed Senate. 88 Cong.Rec. 3174. referred, companion measure Senate, (H.Rep.No.2245, never House. 78th (H.R. 1356, 1st Sess.; 1114, again 181, H.Rep.No.1287, Sess.). finally ominbus Legislative Reorganization Act. 842. supra note 8, p. 35. 281, 285, 575, 577. holds Eight Hour Law contractors working

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