Document: 352 U.S. 40 77 S.Ct. 106 1 L.Ed.2d 102 The UNITED STATES, Petitioner,v.Alfred C. BERGH et al. No. 17. Argued Oct. 15, 1956. Decided Nov. 19, Mr. Alan S. Rosenthal, Washington, D.C., for petitioner. Herbert Thatcher, respondents. Justice CLARK delivered the opinion of Court. This action was instituted in United States Court Claims by government per diem employees to recover holiday pay consisting an extra day's compensation each worked during year 1945. 2 Each respondents employed Navy under a Schedule Wages which provided that 'whenever employee is relieved or prevented from working solely because occurrence any day declared holiday' he receive same such days as other days. language taken Joint Resolution Congress June 29, 1938, 52 Stat. 1246,1 having do with pay. In 1945 were not on certain holidays named this and paid only regular scheduled work performed those They contend January 6, 1885, 23 516,2 they have vested right additional full wage 'gratuity pay' worked. Government urges 1885 repealed toto alternative latter inconsistent conflict provisions earlier upon rely. 3 entered judgment respondents, believing issue 'was considered disposed (its) majority * Kelly v. States, 96 F.Supp. 611, 119 Ct.Cl. 197', holding concerned entitled gratuity Resolution, 1895, here involved, well their agreement negotiated through collective bargaining 1924. 132 462, 464, 564. While we affirmed case, 342 193, 72 213, L.Ed. 222, it basis present there. We left open involved here. Subsequently, thousands claims based including filed against Government, necessitating decision question now presented. granted certiorari, 350 953, 76 342. 4 legislative history 1938 clear. Executive Order 7763 December 1937, Fed.Reg. 2685, excused all 24, 1937. Under received no since enumerated therein did include 24. A introduced House Representative Ramspeck allow day. On referral Committee Civil Service, advice sought Service Commission, Bureau Budget, Comptroller General. Commission advised letter dated February 'accounting authorities, however, held absence specific legislation Federal whose fixed at rate day, hour, piece-work lose has resulted discrimination these groups employees.' advised, further, 'there broader securing statutory authority payments general practice *.' H.R. Rep. 2683, 75th Cong., 3d Sess. 2. suggested might be inserted 'would give permanent authority' addition, Commission's reference authorities' revealed General had Secretary 20, existing law (a) annum suffered loss income result holidays, whether statute executive order, where Resolution; (b) happened fall nonwork (Saturday Sunday) not, while workers allowed neither nor time when day; (c) if falling double pay.3 5 its Report, supra, House, incorporated advisory General, 14, Budget advising proposed would 'in program President.' drafted entirely new incorporating intending cover 'general practice' regard then covering categorically Report: 6 'Section (of Resolution) proposes repeal joint resolution (U.S.C., title 5, sec. 86), follows: (It sets out Resolution.) 7 Furthermore, there indication anywhere Report portion Resolution—much less administrative thereunder—was survive. addition unequivocal statement purpose one, further Rules so intended. required reporting bill repealing act part thereof report text repealed. included toto. hand, intended amended, insert comparative print amended. Here inserted. 8 Moreover, few brief statements floor show nothing contrary. 'gives monthly Rogers stated, 'This simply prevents unintentional discrimination.' Nothing said anyone contend, contrary intention See 83 Cong.Rec. 9466—9467. 9 It contended increase number but leave intact allowance who specified Resolution. cannot correct one contends interpreted, That being so, see why should regarded been unrepealed days.4 respondents' contention untenable light Report. Confusion created rather than eliminated accepted. purpose, shown letters, opinion, alleviate discriminations treat alike insofar possible. accomplished. Should interpretation prevail, standard holidays. pay, pursuant alone single permits work. attribute anomalous results Congress. urged our receiving his fellow working. But likewise visited employee.5 10 turn indications supporting position As indicated earlier, payment recognized prior came about 1906 Assistant Treasury. ruling departments agencies until August longer employees.6 followed consistently Government. importance note several efforts made Act Congress, instance failed pass.7 contemporaneous agency charged supervision—an Government—together acquiescence must given great weight. 11 Likewise noted Revision Laws similarly treated 1940 1946 recodifications Code listed later 1938. Again 1952 edition entire omitted Code. An explanatory notation states covered § 86a 12 case Kelly, lends support employees' argument printer Printing Office. wages Kelly's office collective-bargaining 7, 1924, 43 658, 44 U.S.C.A. 40. Act, though remained effect claim. Contract sued into Act. problem 'whether (1938) somehow precludes awarding (so made) seems grant.' page 194, 214. 'since worked, (Kelly) pay.'8 award then, agreement. There can rely affirmatively grants 13 is, therefore, reversed. 14 Reversed. 15 BRENNAN took consideration case. 16 BURTON, whom BLACK FRANKFURTER concur, dissenting. 17 before us purely construction. For reasons hereafter believe misconstrued treating completely statutes. Our conclusion (1) long-established allowing also services actually rendered days; (2) (3) circumstances led presentation (4) 18 516, U.S.C. (1934 ed.) 86, provided— 19 'That Yard, Office, Engraving, duty elsewhere shall following wit: first January, twenty-second February, fourth July, twenty-fifth December, may designated President national thanksgiving, days.'1 20 interpreted repeatedly Treasury, Claims, employees, gratuity, Those gratuity.2 conformed interpretation. 21 reason clear quotation Treasury: 22 'I reconcile ideas equity justice proposition ever (and are speaking lump sum annual salary) legal place power yourself person cause just amount compelled work, more. 'The laborer worthy hire holiday. giving him does free gift I will stultify taking away saw fit 24 'You therefore authorized done Thanksgiving Day 1895.' Comp.Dec. 322, 325 (1901). 25 Thus, Government's settled significant context, late incident occurred 1246, (1952 86a, 86a. 26 President, 7763, closed offices Friday, Christmas. Acting Department either unless, course, earned difficulty whereas Resolutions limited gratuities list holidays.3 above-mentioned gave unquestioning recognition authorization additionally compensated labor contained suggestion invalid even unwise, except point nonworkday. point, commented 'even falls nonworkday (such Saturday), thereon, week's otherwise earned, thereon.' H.R.Rep.No. 5. 27 With situation him, 551 providing 'employees order regulation notwithstanding.' 9466. 28 referred returned substitute became explained need 29 'It believed view benefits accorded classes greatest extent accounting employees. 30 provides 1937; thus obviate necessity special resolutions Such resolution, example, last provide date inauguration President. 31 phraseology indicated: 32 "Hereafter, whenever piece basis, holiday, New Year's Day, Washington's Birthday, Memorial Fourth Labor Christmas Departments establishments ordinary performed. 33 "Sec. laws hereby inconsistency conflict." H.R.Rep.No.2683, 2.4 34 constituting pointed changes accomplished Resolution: 35 1. Extend nonworkdays prescribed Order. 36 'regular Ibid. 37 above extensions answer 'the (as 1937) Congress.' 38 met implied criticism relating occurring workdays. expressly limiting allowances 'are (Emphasis supplied.) 1246. excluded relief due workday without designation 39 sponsor Ramspeck, adoption, confirm merely corrective measure aid lowest-paid group service,' designed abolish substantial enjoyed laborers 50-year-old governmental practice.5 hardly conceivable that, recommending adoption seen deprivation mentioned measure. mention eloquent testimony meaning. equally inconceivable unanimously reduce lowest sub silentio. Read explanation, floor, 'simply correct' Eve, prevent difficult read meaning, interests, contends. 41 fact enacted, private industry some type premium emphasizes unlikelihood 614, 197, 209, interpreting described 42 'With hour so-called board competition employers, attempts keep conditions step enterprise. unthinkable owner printing shop could, practice, contract, maintain policy seeks employer might, many employers did, paying If for. Some most them (1951) contracts provision again, usually heard of, imagine, could whereby work.'6 foregoing retained pattern. clarified both occasions payable. Nowhere express comes within classification eligibility deprived performs question. phrase, added (they) eliminating occur nonworkdays. aptly obviously sole preventing employment suggests clause means employee, becomes workday, nevertheless responds call loses gratuity. discriminates loyal worker. 45 produces inequitable works receives more 46 Concededly, At least authorizing Accordingly, simple thing outright Instead doing section itself inconsistencies conflicts between, and, other, 'all provisions' reflects above-recited history. shows character interests laborers. To sure, treatment set forth cited section. recital sufficient change specifically restricted face limitation conflicts. 47 pari materia together. When read, differently Resolutions. No 'double standard' results. expands various Orders. None original excluded. 48 Petitioner cites judicial upholding twice rejected opposite view.7 49 rulings Without reviewing material influenced assume, discussion support, 1885. Comp.Gen. 10, 16, 186, 191 (1938). amendment publication controlling authority. 50 Office guaranteed silent subject performed'. Id., 195, 215. very least, prohibited after consistent uphold instant contract declaratory to, 51 reasons, affirmed. c. 818, 86a: '* (W)henever 'Sec. conflict.' 516 (1885), 644 (1887), provides: 1st 22d celebrated 'Memorial' 'Decoration Day,' 4th 25th days.' also, 295, 297. true General's 1937 up between But, adverted seem similar apparent equal 50% tour 125% excess eight hours 13; 186. H.J.Res. 303, 76th Sess.; 1386, 77th 1930, 6222, 1679, 79th 2d peacetime prohibiting wartime reflected Employees Pay 1945, 59 298, 922, 922. go cessation hostilities World War II. By implication wartime. claimed 44, referring substantially identical 1895 determine 1887 fifth added—Memorial Day. 23, 1887, 644. provision, applicable 304. subsequent like 12, 601, 607, 'consistently administered holiday.' 322 (1901); (1906); 566 (1915); 404 (1916); 218 (1917); 529 (1918); 411 (1924); 809 (1936). 612—613, 206—207. appears H.R.Rep. 3—5, 551, approved us. official U.S.C.(1952 comprises nearly House: 'Mr. O'Malley. What cover? Ramspeck. covers service. basis. instance, Eve rendering His applied every salary got forced take off, lost situation. Collins. with? cases excuses gives 'Mrs. Massachusetts. discrimination. correct. unintentionally discriminated against.' study 'Personnel Practices Governing Factory Administration,' prepared F. Beatrice Brower National Industrial Conference Board, Inc., York City. 450 industrial concerns employing earners totaling 370,000. (P. 2.) Over 60% companies Sundays ranging 25% 100%, (Pp. 36—37.) (two judges dissenting), aff'd grounds, 222; Bergh (one judge Adams 191, 212—213.

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