Document: 344 U.S. 25 73 S.Ct. 80 97 L.Ed. 23 NATHANSONv.NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD. No. 33. Argued Oct. 23, 1952. Decided Nov. 10, Mr. Joseph Kruger, Boston, Mass., for petitioner. Mozart G. Ratner, Washington, D.C., respondent. Justice DOUGLAS delivered the opinion of Court. 1 Respondent, National Labor Relations Board, issued a complaint against present bankrupt company alleging unfair labor practices, and, after appropriate proceedings, ordered to pay certain employees back which they had lost on account an practice bankrupt. Before order was enforced by Court Appeals involuntary petition been filed company. Thereafter entered its decree, enforcing Board's order. In due course Board proof claim disallowed referee. The District set aside disallowance. 100 F.Supp. 489. affirmed, 194 F.2d 248, holding that is provable in bankruptcy, can liquidate claim, and it entitled priority as debt owing United States under § 64, sub. a(5) Act, 11 U.S.C.A. 104, a(5). certiorari granted because conflict question between decision v. Killoren, 122 609, decided Eighth Circuit. 2 We think creditor respects awards, within meaning Bankruptcy Act.1 public agent chosen Congress enforce 29 151 et seq. Amalgamated Utility Workers Consolidated Edison Co. New York, 309 261, 269, 60 561, 565, 84 738. A reparation designed vindicate policy statute making whole losses suffered practice. Phelps Dodge Corp. 313 177, 197, 61 845, 854, 85 1271. has made only party Act. command amount owed injured employees. therefore claimant pay. 3 founded upon 'implied' contract 63, a(4) Act.2 It indebtedness arising out obligation imposed statute—an incident fixed law employer-employee relationship. liability based quasi-contract one See Brown O'Keefe, 300 598, 606—607, 57 543, 548, 81 827. 4 do not, however, agree with lower court this enforceable R.S. 3466, 31 191, does not follow agency States, any 3466. 'to secure adequate revenue sustain burthens discharge debts.' State Bank North Carolina, 6 Pet. 29, 35, 8 308. There no function here assuring revenue. beneficiaries claims are private persons receiver American Surety Akron Savings Bank, 212 557, 686, 53 651. 5 true Bramwell Fidelity & Guaranty Co., 269 483, 46 176, 70 368, extended Indian moneys. But case rests status Indians wards see Bowling 233 528, 34 659, 58 1080 continuing responsibility protection their interests. Rickert, 188 432, 444, 478, 47 532; Commissioners Creek County Seber, 318 705, 63 920, 87 1094. cannot extend reasoning so give collecting benefit party. supra. federal government; wage claimants who were discriminated employer. eliminated order; enforcement directed Appeals. full sanction Act placed behind argues interest eradicating practices great should be given additional payment. Whether done legislative decision. contest now longer management but various classes creditors. fully served recognizing paid from estate. whether preference other creditors answered When came unpaid wages did grant all them priority. limited $600 each even then allowed earned three months before date commencement proceedings. a(2). would depart if we class irrespective or time accrual. theme 'equality distribution', Sampsell Imperial Paper Color Corp., 215, 219, 904, 907, 1293; preferred over others, purpose clear statute. find warrant giving these awards different treatment than enjoy. trustee liquidation award have referred Board. Section 10(c) authorizes once found, require, inter alia, person committed 'take such affirmative action, including reinstatement without pay, will effectuate policies Act.' fixing functions confided solely At often computed. Once issues must work details reinstatement. directed. This may negotiation; proceeding computation simple matter. addition projection earnings employee enjoyed he discharged actual interim earnings, determination wilfully incurred losses, period terminated offers withdrawal market, received equivalent employment, like. supra, at page 190 seq., 850 relation remedy administrative matter, subject judicial review, chose purpose. 7 bankruptcy normally supervises claims. Gardner Jersey, 329 573, 67 467, 471, 91 504. rule inexorable. sound discretion indicate particular controversy remitted another tribunal litigation. Thompson Magnolia Petroleum 628, 630, 876. And where matter entrusted agency, stay hand pending That our ruling Smith Hoboken R. Warehouse S.S. Connecting 328 123, 66 947, 90 1123 Texas Mexican 134, 937, 1132, reorganization await rulings Interstate Commerce Commission adjudicating controversies it. Like considerations relevant here. referee nor court, authority determine what measures practices. wise administration demands accommodate itself process refer reasonable determination. summary, properly since disagree reverse judgment remand cause proceedings conformity opinion. 9 ordered. 10 Reversed directions. JACKSON, whom BLACK joins, dissenting. 12 I affirm below. proved States. same enables Government assert seem enable 13 asserts herein something more merely indebtedness. debtor's liability, Government, most important sanctions one, least, reasons why fit leave prosecution usually small scattered impecunious individual earners multiplicity actions. 14 nothing precludes claims, Government's right name, sharing general Title 11, sets up five levels priority: first expenses; second, exceed proceedings; third, costs expenses material here; fourth, taxes legally state subdivision thereof; fifth, debts person, laws 15 hardly questioned constitute equivalent, rarely comply three-months limitation lag occasioned establish unlawfulness If could so, doubtless take second everything except expenses. 16 below denies admits fifth class. Ahead them, fourth class, subdivision, obviously intended protect revenues. Only requirements thus satisfied allow paid. category certainly contemplates taxation. me inappropriate consider wronged laborer established analogous wardship toward Indians, found invocation 368. slogan distribution' little when considering section inequality series priorities. To bankrupt's estate inequalities equalities caused unlawful preferences attempted thing; invoke 'theme' level priorities created another. 17 While legislation complete like, supplying conflicts unanticipated large part courts arrived practical solution accomplishes purposes both affirm. "Creditor' shall include anyone owns debt, demand, his duly authorized agent, attorney, proxy'. U.S.C. 1(11), 1(11). 'Debts * *; (4) open account, express implied'. a(4), 103, a(4).

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