Document: 329 U.S. 520 67 S.Ct. 405 91 L.Ed. 471 ORDER OF RAILWAY CONDUCTORS AMERICA et al.v.SWAN al. WILLIAMS v. SAME. Nos. 63, 64. Argued Dec. 10, 11, 1946. Decided Jan. 13, 1947. Mr.V. C. Shuttleworth, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, for petitioners. Mr. Anan Raymond, Chicago, Ill., respondent Railroad Yardmasters America. Douglas F. Smith, respondents Carrier Members the First and Fourth Divisions Justice MURPHY delivered opinion Court. 1 Our attention here is directed to a determination which division National Adjustment Board has jurisdiction over disputes involving railroad yardmasters. The four divisions their respective jurisdictions are established by § 3, (h), Railway Labor Act, as amended in 1934.1 2 Each composed an equal number representatives carriers national labor organizations. statute authorizes organizations select designate on each such representative shall serve. (b) (c). relates growing out 'grievances or interpretation application agreements concerning rates pay, rules, working conditions.' (i). Disputes employees certain specifically designated crafts assigned division; Division also 'catch-all' all not one other three divisions. Appropriate provisions made hearings entry award, be followed order carrier if award favor petitioner. In event that fails comply with order, petitioner any person whose benefit was may seek enforcement federal district court. (p). suits, 'the findings prima face evidence facts therein stated.' And court given power take action appropriate enforce set aside order. See Switchmen's Union N.A. Mediation Board, 320 297, 305, 64 95, 99, 88 61. 3 Two he Order Conductors Brotherhood Trainmen, petitioners herein. Their membership includes small portion total yardmasters country, approximately 20% basis mileage represented. these contends yardmaster must heard solely division. But contention contradicted America, organization almost entirely claiming represent more than 70% country. That organization, intervenor-respondent herein, failed place Along representing balance yardmasters, it claims lie within exclusive Division. Various both join claim. 4 result this controversy stalemate so far concerned. members split evenly, no matters. evenly divided jurisdictional question, being view outside division's jurisdiction. since parties concede neither Second nor Third jurisdiction, settlement possible under present situation.2 5 Trainmen brought 28 U.S.C. 400(1), U.S.C.A. obtain declaratory judgment effect sole disputes. were defendant; Great Northern Company Southern Pacific allowed intervene. District Court, after hearing, held fall Circuit Court Appeals agreed. 7 Cir., 152 F.2d 325. We granted certiorari because issue raised importance orderly administration Act. 327 776, 66 968. 6 At outstart important note judicial review matter precluded principles forth supra, companion cases, General Committee Missouri-Kansas-Texas R. Co., 323, 146, 76 338, 142, 85. dealing something quite different from administrative Congress final beyond realm scrutiny. frustration level, making impossible issuance orders explicitly opened courts. Until basic settled, procedure contemplated Act remains dead letter concerned statutory rights persons become atrophied. A therefore remove stagnation. instances, we have left problem determined first instance agency. Myers Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation, 303 41, 58 459, 82 638. due evenly-matched representatives, appear hopelessly issue, impossible. Judicial guidance at stage justified long condition exists. 8 primarily interpretation. 'involving train- yard-service carriers; is, engineers, firemen, hostlers, hostler helpers, conductors, trainmen, employees.' Division's extends directly indirectly engaged transportation passengers property water, first, second, third divisions.' It agreed only category into might placed 'yard-service they cannot placed, necessarily 'catchall' thus determine what meant when used term 9 There definition Nor explained relevant legislative debates reports; derives meaning policy framework. Moreover, common general usage world. technical found parlance. Evidence attached those who familiar parlance becomes determining Congress. O'Hara Luckenbach S.S. 269 364, 370, 371, 46 157, 159, 160, 70 313. 10 parties, whom well acquainted terminology, stipulated facts. yard system tracks defined limits movements engines cars authorized timetable train made, subject prescribed signals rules special instructions. further employees' 'yardmen' perform functions switching, breaking up trains, moving storing cars, inspecting freight, repairing maintaining equipment, sending receiving messages, keeping records reports. As stipulation stated: 'All yardmen performing work supervised yardmaster, aid, necessary, assistant do engine service; some clerical work, entire time taken direction supervision yards. * general, run yards, charge, responsible conditions same. Necessarily, exercise substantial measure individual initiative responsibility.' 11 All witnesses testified hearing functionally differ nt yards supervisory activities responsibilities. indicated but spoken 'yardservice employees,' storekeepers, section men clerks. On crucial point, there agreement among commonly reserved described yardmasters.3 12 documentary submitted tends bear testimony Thus numerous past awards speak distinct employees.4 Interstate Commerce Commission, various classifications employees, recognizes clear distinction between supervision.5 documents introduced record sources reference either show same inconclusive matter.6 13 finding fact never included terms yardmen.' correct concluding history adjustment prior amendment 1934 affords assistance resolving confronting us. pointed fully Appeals, 327, 328, previously boards, had been created agreement, signatory Jurisdiction then grounded, now, craft job classification irrespective particular involved. Hence occasion giving rise consistent unequivocal include yard-masters—an which, existed, shed light adoption 1934. 14 Petitioners urge settled its creation 1934.7 serious question whether now before us considered many cases made; certainly none did recite perfunctorily dispute. involved consistently objected assumption Division.8 factors, prolonged deadlock destroys whatever persuasive adjudications had. anything settled. 15 Finally, point amend exclude 'yardmasters subordinate officers' Division, despite introduction two bills Senate 1940 1941.9 These sent committee, reported out. does died thought unnecessary undesirable. No held; committee reports made. Under circumstances, failure without purposes 16 accordingly agree courts below Board. Yardmaster exclusively 17 Affirmed. 18 FRANKFURTER. 19 After fullest consideration recently unions competence. 61; 76. decision derived 'had expressly review' history, setting, implications railway controversies counseled against inferring review. Here respectively This controversy, however, entails problems world consequences construing distribution authority seems settle conflicts brotherhoods. Not command me, therefore, leave mediatory resources If said resulted, follow will continue, keeps hands off. event, machinery effective sufficient reason intervention, unless much I find reinforced County advisory opinion. My doubts commended themselves am alone entertaining them seemed me should expressed. 48 Stat. 1185, 1190—1191, 45 153, subd. 1(h). decree entered 1938 commanding hear case arose petition mandamus filed America summons, appeared answer stating consent action, argument aware public interest matter. instant res judicata presented circumstances entered. Petitioners' witness testified: 'Yardmen usually switching yard, supervising yardmen, would include, my opinion, yardmasters.' his respect based upon understanding law, own use knowledge He belief 'every tribunal decided dispute service, road trainmen 1, under, 1918, very board existence, that. Western Train Service served, that, evidenced decisions exhibit.' stated 'fit nearly service class'—a recognition fit precisely category. Award No. 1274 (July 1936), 1464 (Oct. 7, 1603 (Dec. 14, 1648 (Jan. 21, 1937), 1728 (Fed. 1896 (April 15, 2065 16, 2364 (Nov. 12, 4466 1940), 4548 (Feb. 8, 4584 20, 5816 (June 24, 1941), 7355 1942); 25, 1940). Ex parte 72 1920); 106, Six-Hour Day Investigation, 190 I.C.C. 750. forms plan reporting wage compensation data steam United States Commission 'Supervisory Skilled Trades Service,' while 'Train Engine Service.' method indexing provide helpful guide cited footnote 4, supra. 2, S. 4375, 76th Cong., 3d Sess.; 1660, 77th 1st Sess. Both Senator Smith request American Short Line Association.

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