Opinion ID: 255137
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Special Issues.

Text: 59
60 Several petitioners, 16 foreign steamship lines of Yugoslavia and Netherlands nationality assert that the production by them of documents required by the Board's 21 order would be violative of their local national law. They point to provisions of the Yugoslav Criminal Code and the Netherlands Economic Competition Law which they contend preclude compliance with the Board's order. 61 Prior to determining whether these foreign laws do in fact forbid the production of documents such as those required by the Board's order and, if so, what effect this should have upon compliance, the appropriate procedure is to require these petitioners to make a good faith attempt to obtain a waiver of such restrictions from their respective governments. United States v. Standard Oil Co., N.J., D.C.S.D.N.Y.1958, 23 F.R.D. 1; Societe Internationale, etc. v. McGranery, D.C.D.C.1953, 111 F.Supp. 435, affirmed sub nom. Societe Internationale, etc. v. Brownell, 1955, 96 U.S.App.D.C. 232, 225 F.2d 532, certiorari denied, 1956, 350 U.S. 937, 76 S.Ct. 302, 100 L.Ed. 818; Societe Internationale, etc v. Brownell, 1957, 100 U.S.App.D.C. 148, 243 F.2d 254, reversed and remanded sub nom. Societe Internationale, etc. v. Rogers, 1958, 357 U.S. 197, 78 S.Ct. 1087, 2 L.Ed.2d 1255. 62 Consequently, these petitioners should upon the remand bring any arguments that their local law prohibits compliance before the Board so that it can then initially determine whether petitioners have made a good faith effort to secure waivers and, if so, whether compliance is to be required. 63
64 Two of the petitioners 17 contend that they are not subject to the order since on the date of that order neither of them was a common carrier by water engaged in the foreign commerce of the United States. One petitioner contends that it terminated all service with the United States in November 1959, while the other contends it terminated service in February 1960. 65 Assuming arguendo that these petitioners would not be subject to the Board's order if they had permanently terminated their service to or from the United States before April 11, 1960, this court has nothing before it to show such termination other than declarations of petitioners in their briefs. This clearly seems to be a matter upon which evidence should be taken to determine the nature ahd extent of the cessation of these petitioners' activities. Consequently, on remand these petitioners should bring their contentions before the Board so it can have the opportunity to pass upon this issue in the light of an adequate factual record which can be then made. 66 We consider it unnecessary to consider the other contentions raised by the petitioners at this time. 67 Order vacated. 68