Document: 343 U.S. 112 72 S.Ct. 581 96 L.Ed. 786 BRUNERv.UNITED STATES. No. 391. Argued Jan. 30, 1952. Decided March 24, Mr. Denmark Groover, Jr., Macon, Ga., for petitioner. James R. Browning, Sp. Asst. to the Atty. Gen., respondent. Chief Justice VINSON delivered opinion of Court. 1 In 1941, petitioner was appointed a civilian fire chief at Camp Wheeler, Georgia, by local army commander acting under authority delegated Secretary War. 1948, brought this action in District Court recover overtime compensation allegedly due his services as chief. Jurisdiction enter judgment against United States based on Tucker Act which granted jurisdiction, concurrent with Claims, over certain civil actions States.1 2 At time commenced, Congress had provided that nothing shall be construed giving Court—'jurisdiction cases fees, salary, or official officers such purpose persons claiming assignees legal representatives thereof; but no suit pending 27th day June, 1898 abate affected provision.'2 The Court, holding an 'officer States,' entered dismissing petitioner's complaint want jurisdiction. Appeals Fifth Circuit affirmed. 189 F.2d 255. 3 Beal v. States, 1950, 182 565, Sixth sustained jurisdiction another fighter War Department ground he only 'employee' and not States.' We certiorari case bar resolve conflict decisions. 342 858, 89. 4 After been case, October 31, 1951, Pub.L. 248, became effective. Section 50(b) amended applicable clause Judicial Code 'by inserting, immediately after 'officers' clause, words 'or employees' * *.'3 As result amendment we are confronted threshold question whether withdrawing 'employees,' applies effective date Act. power withhold from 'in exact degrees character may seem proper public good'4 is challenged. 5 problem presented has arisen before administration 1887, Claims given circuit district courts all involving claims below stated dollar amounts. 1898, difficulties defending different prompted withdraw 'brought *,'5 thereby centralizing Claims. made provision and, reason, Courts ordered terminated McCrory, Cir. 1899, 91 F. 295; Kelly, 9 97 460. Thereafter, restored consider withdrawn.6 6 suits did reserve cases,7 even though reservation held required later respect provisions 'officers.' Absent reservation, hear determine employees when brought. Merchants' Insurance Co. Ritchie, 1867, Wall. 541, 18 540. 7 arising internal revenue laws, upon 1833 granting laws. decision while appeal pending, 1866 withdrew without any saving Ritchie's. This held: 8 'It clear, cause depends statute repeal takes away And it equally where conferred statute, prohibited subsequent prohibition is, so far, conferring quite possible effect act contemplated Congress. customs laws taken it. these still maintained collectors citizens same State. It certainly difficult perceive reason discrimination between laws; terms unambiguous speculate probabilities intention.' pages 544—545, 10 jurisdictional statutes, following rule follows: 'Jurisdiction Congress, repealed exercise withdrawn, inasmuch th repealing contained fell, depended entirely Congress.' Assessors Osbornes, 1870, 567, 575, 19 748. rule—that, law cases, fall law—has adhered consistently Court.8 11 so-called general savings provides 'repeal have release extinguish penalty, forfeiture, liability incurred statute.'9 altered nature validity rights Government's simply reduced number tribunals authorized liabilities. Hallowell Commons, 1916, 239 506, 508, 36 202, 203, 60 409. Compare Lynch 1934, 292 571, 54 840, 78 1434. 12 Under Code, does extend either 'employees' States. Since find action, correct. Accordingly, 13 Affirmed. 14 BLACK DOUGLAS dissent. 24 Stat. 505 (1887), now 28 U.S.C. (Supp. IV) § 1346, U.S.C.A. 1346. 30 494, 495 (1898), amended, 41(20). incorporated into 1948 revision read: 'The section of:** '(2) Any U.S.C.(Supp. 1346(d), 1346(d). 65 710, 727 (1951). Lockerty Phillips, 1943, 319 182, 187, 63 1019, 1022, 87 1339; Cary Curtis, 1845, How, 236, 245, 576. (1898). See H.R.Rep.No.325, 55th Cong., 2d Sess. 31 33 (1900). No mention found 56(l) Act, expressly saved 'any liabilities' existing statutes 56. 730 (1951), 3051 note. Ex parte McCardle, 1869, 514, 264; Baltimore & P. Railroad Grant, 1879, 98 398, 401, 25 231; Sherman Grinnell, 123 679, 680, 260, 261, 278; Gurnee Patrick County, 1890, 137 141, 144, 34, 35, 34 601; Gwin 1902, 184 669, 675, 22 526, 529, 46 741. Kline Burke Const. Co., 1922, 260 226, 234, 43 79, 82, 67 226. affect principle retroactive unless construction explicit language necessary implication. St. Louis, S.F. T.R. 1926, 270 1, 3, 183, 70 435, Smallwood Gallardo, 1927, 275 56, 61, 48 23, 152. 109, 109.

Category: 8