Document: 372 U.S. 714 83 S.Ct. 1022 10 L.Ed.2d 84 The COLORADO ANTI-DISCRIMINATION COMMISSION et al., Petitioners,v.CONTINENTAL AIR LINES, INC. Marlon D. GREEN, Petitioner, v. CONTINENTAL Nos. 146 and 492. Argued March 28, 1963. Decided April 22, [Syllabus intentionally omitted] T. Raber Taylor Floyd B. Engeman, Denver, Colo., for petitioners. Howard H. Jewel, Asst. Atty. Gen., State of California, as amicus curiae, by special leave Court. Shirley A. Siegel, New York City, York, Patrick M. Westfeldt, respondent. [Amicus Curiae from pages 715-716 Mr. Justice BLACK delivered the opinion 1 Petitioner Green, a Negro, applied job pilot with respondent Continental Air Lines, Inc., an interstate air carrier. His application was submitted at Continental's headquarters in Colorado, later considered rejected there. Green then made complaint to Colorado Anti-Discrimination Commission that had refused hire him because he Negro. Act 1957 provides it is unfair employment practice employer 'to refuse hire, discharge, promote or demote, discriminate matters compensation against, any person otherwise qualified, race, creed, color, national origin ancestry.'1 After investigation efforts conciliation, held extensive hearings found fact 'that only reason Complainant not selected training school his race.'2 ordered cease desist such discriminatory practices 'give first opportunity enroll its next course * *.' On review District Court City County Executive Orders. Supreme Denver set aside Commission's findings dismissed Green's complaint. It could 'constitutionally be extended cover hiring flight crew personnel carrier' would impose undue burden upon commerce violation Art. I, § 8, cl. 3, United States Constitution, which gives Congress power 'To regulate Commerce among several *,' field law concerning racial discrimination operation carriers preempted Railway Labor Act,3 Civil Aeronautics 1938,4 Federal affirmed judgment dismissal but discussed question whether placed on commerce, concluding did. 149 Colo. 259, 368 P.2d 970 (1962). obvious importance even partial invalidation state designed prevent denial opportunities prompted us grant certiorari. 371 809, 26, 9 52 2 First. argues decision rested independent adequate nonfederal ground. For argument, relies trial court's statement legislature attempting legislate problems involving commerce' that: 3 'The resolved jurisdiction. court determined act inapplicable employees those engaged based exclusively ground.' 265, P.2d, 973. 4 We reject this contention. itself did rest Instead, clearly unequivocally stated case presented constitutional legally operations. Nor rely interpreted having invalid insofar regulated carriers. further carriers, answered under Constitution Legislature no deal matters. are satisfied courts below their judgments interpretation preemptive effect federal statutes 5 Second. In holding statute imposed relied principle, Cooley Board Wardens Port Philadelphia, 12 How. 299, 13 L.Ed. 996, have areas nature require uniformity regulation, though has legislated subject.5 read two prior decisions Court, Hall DeCuir, 95 485, 24 547 (1878), Morgan Virginia, 328 373, 66 1050, 90 1317 (1946), established carrier must free diverse regulation governed uniformly, if all, Congress. do believe cases so encompassing rule. line separating powers exclusive always distinctly marked; examine closely facts each determine dangers hardships justify foreclosing exercise traditional powers. This emphatically pointed out supra, very chiefly relies: 6 'Judges unfrequently differ reasons they concur. Under circumstances useless task undertake fix arbitrary rule all located. far better matter delicacy settled view particular rights involved.' U.S., 488, 547. 7 DeCuir were Louisiana forbidding account race color been hold steamboat owner liable damages assigning colored passenger one cabin rather than another. violate Clause, after careful analysis effects passengers. Among other things, bordering Mississippi River provide own passengers freight, resulting confusion produce great inconvenience unnecessary hardships. concluded 8 'Commerce cannot flourish midst embarrassments. No can conduct business satisfaction himself comfort employing him, side passengers, both white colored, permitted occupy same cabin, kept separate. Uniformity regulations end route necessity 489, kind analysis, Virginia requiring segregation motor including journeys, infringed Clause uniform essential. emphasized restriction passengers' freedom choose accommodations constantly shift seats. As explicitly recognized absence one, sure test deciding these burden-on-commerce cases. concluded, however, before showed there practical interference transportation laws stand. particularized inquiry into existence again illustrated Bob-Lo Excursion Co. Michigan, 333 68 358, 92 455 (1948), where common serve people alike regardless color. upheld steamships transporting patrons between Michigan Canada. Following adjudged facts, neither nor 'comparable degree localization involved; attenuating effects, any, *; actual probability conflicting different sovereignties.' 39, 364. convinced will unduly burdened required refrain pilots State. Not within employee, job, much more localized State6 significantly threat virtually nonexistent. assumed validity segregation. Were possibility hired barred solely serving another State, might well controlled our holdings. But recent decisions7 applicants turned away Due Process Fifth Amendment Equal Protection Clauses Fourteenth Amendment. thought possible cases, therefore, simply exist here. is, course, onerous, harassing, conditions carrier's hamper satisfactory performance functions. case. here does constitutionally prohibited commerce. 11 Third. pervasively covered protecting enacting legislation field. contended, direct conflict law,8 denies granted Congress,9 stands obstacle full effectiveness statute.10 Rather 'When taken subject-matter hand, coincidence ineffective opposition, declared help attempts go farther seen fit go.'11 also said mere 'fact identity mean automatic invalidity measures.'12 To identical purpose Supremacy we able conclude some extent frustrated statute. reach conclusion 14 1938,13 now Aviation 1958,14 broad general provisions subject 'any unjust unreasonable prejudice disadvantage respect whatsoever'15 promotion adequate, economical, efficient service reasonable charges, without discriminations, preferences advantages, destructive competitive *.'16 familiar type aimed primarily rate injurious shippers, competitors, localities.17 may assume, present purposes, prohibit against customers18 protect race. Administrator Agency indeed authority over crews carriers,19 exercised regulations.20 Notwithstanding authority, 1938 successor express implied intent bar statute, least long remains 'dormant unexercised,'21 frustrate part legislation.22 15 There less say Congress, passing Act23 making certain applicable intended discrimination. provision mentions hiring. true bargaining agents authorized use minority groups whom supposed represent.24 And employers too enjoined carrying agreement.25 duty imposes fair representation union. merely aiding union breaching duty. Nothing suggests places engage nondiscriminatory practices. never used purpose, bars Colorado's Act. 16 Finally, argument enforced Orders government contracting agencies include contracts clauses contractors agree religion, origin.26 purported take judicial notice 'a certificated commercial (such respondent) obligated transport mail contract Government.' Government answers that, while 49 U.S.C. 1375 requires lines carry mail, forbid compel execution ground alone, Order foreclose legislation. impossible orders preempt accomplish purpose. 17 reversed cause remanded proceedings inconsistent opinion. 18 ordered. 19 Reversed directions. Colo.Rev.Stat.Ann. (Supp.1960) 80—24—6. 'guilty form, applicant requirement photo attached application,' contrary regulation. 44 Stat. 577, amended, 45 §§ 151—188. 973, (1952 ed.) 401—722, 1958, 72 731, 1301 1542. claimed discriminated see, e.g., Best & Maxwell, 311 454, 61 334, 85 275 (1940), substantial economic Continental, Bibb Navajo Freight 359 520, 79 962, 1003 (1959). See, California Thompson, 313 109, 930, 1219 (1941); Erie R. Williams, 233 685, 34 761, 58 1155 (1914). E.g., Brown Education, 347 483. 74 686, 98 873 (1954); Bolling Sharpe, 497, 693, 884 Bailey Patterson, 369 31, 82 549, 512 See McDermott Wisconsin, 228 115, 33 431, 57 754 (1913). Mine Workers Arkansas Oak Flooring Co., 351 62, 76 559, 100 941 (1956). Hill Florida ex rel. Watson, 325 538, 65 1373, 89 1782 (1945); Hines Davidowitz, 312 52, 399, 581 (1941). Charleston W.C.R. Varnville Furniture 237 597, 604, 35 715, 717, 59 1137 (1915). Zook, 336 725, 730, 69 841, 843, 93 1005 (1949). 401 722. substantially reenacted 1301—1542. Some duties transferred Agency. 484(b), 1374(b). 402(c), 1302(c). Compare Interstate 3(1), 3(1). Fitzgerald Pan American World Airways, 229 F.2d 499 (C.A.2d Cir., 1956); Montgomery, 201 F.Supp. 590 (M.D.Ala.1962); cf. Henderson States, 339 816, 70 94 1302 (1950); Mitchell 80, 873, 1201 552, 1422, 1429. 20 CFR 20.40, 20.42—20.45, 20.121, 21.1, 40.300. 21 Bethlehem Steel Rel. Bd., 330 767, 775, 67 1026, 1031, 91 1234 (1947). Parker Brown, 317 341, 63 307, 87 315 (1943); P. Welch Hampshire, 306 79, 438, 500 (1939). 22 If authorities seek raise questions (1941), 23 Conley Gibson, 355 41, 78 99, 80 (1957); Steele Louisville Nashville 323 192, 226, 173 (1944). 25 Brotherhood Trainmen Howard, 343 768, 1022, 96 1283 (1952). 26 No. 10479, Fed.Reg. 4899 (Aug. 13, 1953), 10557, 5655 (Sept. 1954), revoked superseded 10925, 1977 (March 6, 1961).

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