Document: 345 U.S. 128 73 S.Ct. 570 97 L.Ed. 872 RAMSPECK et al.v.FEDERAL TRIAL EXAMINERS CONFERENCE al. No. 278. Argued Jan. 9, 12, 1953. Decided March Rehearing Denied April 6, See 931, 778. Mr. Robert W. Ginnane, Washington, D.C., for petitioners. Charles S. Rhyne, respondents. Justice MINTON delivered the opinion of Court. 1 The present suit was brought by Federal Trial Examiners Conference,1 an unincorporated association trial examiners, and a number individual against members United States Civil Service Commission National Labor Relations Board. plaintiffs, who had been appointed pursuant to § 11 Administrative Procedure Act, 60 Stat. 244, 5 U.S.C. 1010, U.S.C.A. sought declaratory judgment that certain rules relating their promotion, compensation, tenure, assignment cases, promulgated 11, were invalid, asked enforcement be enjoined. District Court held these four interpreting as requiring: (1) hearing examiners employed particular federal administrative agency must placed in same salary grade; (2) examiner may not promoted from one grade another within agency; (3) assigned cases mechanical rotation without regard difficulty or importance competence experience examiners; (4) employment terminated reduction force procedures where there is lack work funds with which pay them. granted permanent injunction rules, 104 F.Supp. 734. Appeals affirmed short per curiam opinion, judge dissenting. 91 U.S.App.D.C. 164, 202 F.2d 312. We certiorari, 344 853, 93. 2 Prior passage examiners' tenure status governed Classification Act 1923, amended, 661 seq. Under employees agency, classification determined ratings given them compensation promotion depended upon classification. dependent status. 3 With rapid growth law last few decades, role quasi-judicial officers became increasingly significant controversial. Many regulatory powers Congress has agencies can exercised only after notice required Constitution statute. These have such volume business, including required, heads, boards commissions, rarely preside over hearings evidence required. met this problem long before designating reception evidence. Such generally made report setting forth proposed findings fact recommended action. parties could address exceptions findings, and, receiving briefs oral argument, heads would make final decision. 4 complaints voiced actions it being charged they mere tools concerned subservient making recommendations. A study President Roosevelt's Committee on Management resulted 1937 recommending separation adjudicatory functions personnel investigative prosecution agencies. Attorney General's 1939 decisional process agencies, published 1941. Both majority minority partially independent employed; term seven years, twelve years. Although extensive bills carry out recommendations Committee, World War II delayed congressional action subject. After war, McCarran-Sumners Bill, introduced. Senate Judiciary Print June 1945 reveals at time still great diversity how should enhanced. Several proposals considered, bill provided independence existing system.2 intended 'a special class semi-independent subordinate officers'3 vesting control much greater extent than case other employees. Section follows: 6 'Subject civil-service laws inconsistent act, shall each many qualified competent necessary proceedings sections 7 8, so far practicable perform no duties responsibilities examiners. removable are good cause established (hereinafter called Commission) opportunity record thereof. receive prescribed independently ratins accordance except provisions paragraphs subsection (b) section said 9 applicable. Agencies occasionally temporarily insufficiently staffed utilize selected consent For purposes section, authorized investigations, require reports issue reports, annual Congress, promulgate rates, appoint advisory committees deemed necessary, recommend legislation, subpena witnesses records, witness fees courts.' An examination shows retained classified but inapplicable Act. agencies' Freed dependence specifically declared otherwise under amended (now 1949, (Supp. V) 1071 seq., seq.). 8 position constitutionally protected position. It creature enactment. respondents vested right positions They hold posts sees fit give Their regulated completely delegate exercise its power, proper standards, Commission, done his case. question we presented whether adoption followed departed directions Did implement statute, did enlarge it? 10 Respondents do contend all any grade. Petitioners argue varying levels possess degrees competency types qualifications. point Aeronautics Board safety heard group economic another. pilots' certificates, while those different Again, Interstate Commerce involve relatively simple applications extensions motor carrier others complicated difficult railroad rate proceedings. Petitioners' argument indicates need specialization among meet diverse presented. Proceeding according experience, skill, ability,4 seeking rating wholly into grades, salaries appropriate grade, set up using This ranged just several five grades two Allocation classifications Rule 34.105 states, 'Allocations ratings.' (Emphasis supplied.) 12 When doing what directed do. As previously shown, directs 'Examiners * acccordance amended,' exception statute influence. contradicts contention intend permit Commission. clearly provides, thought did,6 allocation various reflect person recognized classify when 1949. At excluded thirty-two categories government employees, 1082, although then classifying regulations similar ones. 13 critical specifications used 'nebulous subjective'. (104 740.) To GS 15, job content 'moderately important,' 'difficult 'unusually 'exceedingly 'exceptionally important.' necessity subjective. based judgment. discriminating committed expertise courts. evidently practical meaning repeatedly phrases describe relative methods 602 1112, 1112. 14 come next 34.4 promotions,7 margin. rule invalid Court, consistent view therefore Since disagree court below made, follow promotions made. 15 But also challenge method provides decide if vacancy filled, further filled insist thus coerce absolute veto power promotions. chooses promotion. imagine sorts devious schemes shrewdly analyze staffs pick probably chosen create vacancies reward favorable decisions, else fill outside order discipline recalcitrant shown actual examples this, nor show circumstances correct situation. matter, always turn advice needed levels. declares 'THERE SHALL BE APPOINTED BY AND FOR EACH necessary'. puts sufficient responsibility Commission's hands ensure judgments does reduce see handle business properly. 16 34.12, Rotation Examiners. provicdes: 17 'Insofar practicable, rotatin level normally hold.' CFR, 1951 Supp., 34.12. 18 purports provision 'shall practicable'. means rotation—that name comes register, unless he leave sick disqualified completed assignment, etc. lower courts accepted respondents' 34.12 invalid. 19 gave 11's requirement 'so practicable' consideration beyond mechanics bringing docket opposite top register available kind involved well available. basis, considered assign were, classification, hand, having complexity thereof, together ability If rotation, value use authorized, lost. rotation. provide ignore reasons adjusted classifications. allowable practicable. 20 Finally, 34.15,8 governing Respondents' contention, sustained below, thereof' gives lifetime position, subject removal cause, application 21 In think mistaken. tradition paid, promoted, discharged whim caprice political reasons. One suing here funds. traditionally funds, ceilings, reorganizations, decrease work, 20.2(a). 22 Part seems direct itself makes force. 34.15 dropping lowest 'retention credits' finds credits length service affect. promotions, will consult ascertain occasion reduction. Just leaves duty adequate type declare lesser time. assumed prevent practice abuse Rule. appeal bring abuses attention. Also challenged statement Retention Preference Regulations Reduction Force (5 1951, 20.2) allowing 'for reasons.' obviously legitimate now foreseen, misuse it. 23 find employment, not, contended heretofore therewith 'good cause' 11. 24 conform purpose intent9 valid. 25 reversed, remanded dismiss complaint. 26 Reversed directions. 27 BLACK, whom FRANKFURTER DOUGLAS concur, 28 I substantially Chief Judge Laws Columbia. wish add words merely emphasize aspects opinion. 29 designed new freedom control. Henceforth 'very nearly equivalent judges even though operating system justice.'1 stripped remove working effected That empowered prescribe examiner's worked. And deprive commanded 'assigned *.' agree go way toward frustrating independence.2 30 pointed out, removed 'only established' hearings. approved authorizes act justifies regulation. 31 Another regulation permits 'classification' instead 'rotation' requires. 1923 distinctions between fact, appears contemplate stand equal footing pay. central objective assignments influence cases. Unlimited discretion lead thought. effect restore unlimited 32 support nebulous head left practically free select chooses. basis believes permitted attribute choice considerations 'complex legal, economic, financial, technical questions matters' complex,' 'fairly 'extremely 'complex.' conceptualistic mean command nonagency controlled buried words. raised us, standing Conference party suit. Report described alternatives 'The render secure compensation. takes ground situation, separate 'examiners' pool' might draw officers. Recognizing entire security wise put However, additional conferred Commission.' Administrtative Act—Legislative History, S.Doc. 248, 79th Cong., 2d Sess., p. 215. Legislative 192. effective 1947, year Act's approval. hearing, September 23, 1947. Government pass qualifications incumbent conduct competitive nonstatus incumbents applicants. results announced 25.5% 212 rated found disqualified, appeals taken ultimately qualified. criticized. Thomas, Selection Hearing Examiners: Pressure Groups Process (1950), 59 Yale L.J. 431, 433; Fuchs, Examiner Fiasco 63 Harv.L.Rev. 737, 767. Meanwhile, dispute arisen part examiners—the retroactive approval On February General issued holding 41 Op.Atty.Gen. 14. 21, '34.10 Compensation. (a) allocated adopted allocations Allocations ratings. '(b) within-grade advancements chapter: Provided, satisfactory better performance apply.' 34.10. 'In matter adds greatly function. adjust salaries, stated inapplicability specified carries authority. customary through agents, shift superior higher require. reclassifying positions, own objects mind.' 215 (Senate Report). pp. 280—281 (House '§ Promotion—(a) From decides promoted. eligible compete serving area competition designated appointments, filled. addition, examaminers current recruiting standards (including least comparable grade). examining candidates, best later beginning second period following decision reached, pending adjudication appeals. Once elects undertakes desires employee examiner, submit form executed him. applicant training requirements open (except maximum age requirement) investigation character suitability. assigned, reach certification rating, approve promotion; disapprove request.' 34.4. Reductions force—(a) credits. reductions determining retention subgroup. computed full service. preference, preference force, groups subgroups manner 20.3 Use (Part chapter): distinction opposed less satisfactory. '(c) Status reached separated, furloughed, reduced rank because formerly served grades. Where more affected, '(d) Appeals. Any feels violation rights (attention, Law Officer) days date received taken. '(2) Each state grounds based, error records; selection; restriction level; disregard regulations; denial examine regulations, records. '(3) notified allowed file answer thereto. agency's submitted Officer notified. '(4) Upon receipt refer Personnel Division investigation. Officer. discloses violations appellant, notify corrective Review. Review disagrees Officer, subparagraph (5) paragraph. '(5) cannot initial finding favor appellant referred hearing. conducted concerned, represented completion presiding transmit '(e) regulations. chapter), modified apply examiners.' brief dissenting filed herein quote sentence letter Senator McCarran, Chairman Ramspeck 'It (examiners) very justice.' Doc. 82, 82d 1st 9. feel justified regarding sentence, context written years enacted, illustrative intent passed Sess. Support foregoing statements Wong Yang Sung v. McGrath, 339 33, 70 445, 94 616, Laws,

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