Document: 345 U.S. 59 73 S.Ct. 580 97 L.Ed. 821 UNEXCELLED CHEMICAL CORP.v.UNITED STATES. No. 293. Argued Jan. 9, 1953. Decided March Mr. George Morris Fay, Washington, D.C., for petitioner. James R. Browning, respondent. Justice DOUGLAS delivered the opinion of Court. 1 This is an action brought by United States to recover liquidated damages under Walsh-Healey Act. 49 Stat. 2036, as amended, 41 U.S.C. § 35 et seq., U.S.C.A. seq. That Act provides that a contractor furnishing Government materials, supplies, etc., in amount exceeding $10,000 must meet specified labor standards. Thus, child and convict are prohibited, 1(d), sanction $10 day each any minor or employed plus underpayment wages, payable damages. 2. These sums money owing may be withheld from amounts due on contracts recovered suits name Attorney General. The Secretary Labor administers Act, see 4; Endicott Johnson Corp. v. Perkins, 317 501, 507, 63 339, 342, 87 424, making investigations findings, 4, issuing complaints holding hearings. 5. 2 On April 17, 1947, issued complaint charging petitioner with having knowingly during years 1942—1945 violation February 25, 1949, Hearing Examiner made decision which he found had was indebted sum $15,600 Under Rules Practice Department became final at end twenty-day period within opportunity petition Chief review. 3 Nearly year later—January 27, 1950—this brought. answer tendered defense two-year statute limitations contained 6 Portal-to-Portal 61 84, 87, 29 (Supp. V) 255, 255. Both parties moved summary judgment. District Court granted petitioner's motion, cause arose when violated began run date. 99 F.Supp. 155. Appeals reversed, 196 F.2d 264, actions enforce provisions not barred limitation case here certiorari because conflict between Lance, Inc. States, 4 Cir., 190 204, Lovknit Mfg. Co., 5 189 454, Courts Fourth Fifth Circuits respectively. Section commenced after date 'to unpaid minimum overtime compensation, damages, Fair Standards 1938, Bacon-Davis Act'. also 'every such shall forever unless two accrued'. enacted remedy what were deemed some harsh results our Anderson Mt. Clemens Pottery 328 680, 66 1187, 90 1515, held time necessarily spent employees walking work employer's premises preliminary activities arriving their places working scope 52 1060, 910, 201 instituted employees, claimed, threatened impact business caused Congress act. See H.R.Rep.No.71, 80th Cong., 1st Sess.; S.Rep.No.48, Sess. consequences feared supra, summarized 1(a) Act.1 None these referred damage fact its provisions. start argument respondent adopted effect no intention legislate respect but mind only possible might bring wages overtime. We do stop lay out entire legislative history For words used too precise extended argument. Three causes covered—claims 'unpaid wages,' claims compensation,' 'liquidated damages' three Acts, including collectible States. marks difference latter double costs attorneys' fees. 216(b), 216(b). doubtless why summarizing great burden employers pending employee states 'all have arisen arise 1938 * (except liability damages) Walsh-Healey' 'it is, therefore, national public interest this apply *.' statement does more than emphasize problem Acts. remains treats precisely same it even though former enforced exclusively Government, employees. Perhaps make harmonious whole. misconceived problems Act.2 However be, present seems described expressly included If covered language, apparently none other is.3 It us then try avoid conclusion did mean said. Arguments policy relevant example has hiatus filled there ambiguities language resolved. But Congress, perhaps mistakenly inadvertently, plainly brings subject matter into statute, word final—save questions constitutional power been intimated here. 7 Respondent argues if suit timely. contention accrues, begins run, administratively determined liable sound, judgment below stand begun less administrative proceedings. 8 take opposing view. conclude 'the accrued' meaning minors employed. giving rise true administration entrusted large measure Labor. supra. He broad investigatory hearing powers. §§ authority proscribe those who barring them years. 3. Moneys placed special fund paid order powers Secretary, important they determining relation courts branch government, irrelevant narrow question law presented. A created breach duty owed plaintiff. duty, discovery, normally controlling. General moneys States.4 deference process should court hold hand until proceedings before completed, Far East Conference 342 570, 72 492, 96 576; Thompson Texas Mexican 134, 937, 1132; American Tank El Dorado Terminal 308 422, 423, 60 325, 327, 84 361; Morgan, 307 183, 795, 83 1211, judicial relevancy statutory accrued run. 9 construction, said, will prejudice safeguard interest. result made, can refashion. 10 There was, event, initiated. 'an purposes section filed'. argued issuance formal (the customary procedure cases) commencement sense. however, wrote addressing itself conventional Commencement filing familiar purpose obvious assume use ordinary 11 Reversed. '§ 1. (a) hereby finds interpreted judicially disregard long-established customs, practices, thereby creating wholly unexpected liabilities, immense retroactive operation, upon that, said so arising interpretations permitted stand, (1) payment liabilities would about financial ruin many seriously impair capital resources others, resulting reduction industrial operations, halting expansion development, curtailing employment, earing employees; (2) credit impaired; (3) both continuous uncertainty part industry, employer employee, condition productive establishments gross inequality competitive conditions industries; (4) receive windfall payments, performed without expectation reward beyond agreed rates pay; (5) occur promotion increasing demands engaging compensation contemplated either engaged in; (6) voluntary collective bargaining interefered disputes created; (7) country burdened excessive needless litigation champertous practices encouraged; (8) Public Treasury deprived revenues finances deranged against refunds taxes already paid; (9) cost goods services heretofore hereafter purchased various departments agencies unreasonably increased affected consequent war contracts; (10) serious adverse effects Federal, State, local governments occur.' p. 5: 'The concerns field compensation. 40 276a relating employment. acts therefore Mount decision. situation herein applies existing necessity exists remedial legislation.' reach whether standing sue No provision, recovery following provision relates rights: 'All deductions, rebates, refunds, underpayments shal deposit account paid, Labor, directly pay set forth whose recovered: Provided, payments entertained one actual notice withholding America.' pertinent part: 'Any America reason representations stipulations contract hereof thereof.'

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