Document: 333 U.S. 138 68 S.Ct. 421 92 L.Ed. 596 WOODSv.CLOYD W. MILLER CO. et al. No. 486. Argued Feb. 6, 1948. Decided 16, Appeal from the District Court of United States for Northern Ohio. Mr. Philip B. Perlman, Sol. Gen.,o f Washington, D.C., appellant. Paul S. Knight, Cleveland, Ohio, appellees. Justice DOUGLAS delivered opinion Court. 1 The case is here on a direct appeal, Act August 24, 1937, 50 Stat. 752, 28 U.S.C. § 349a, U.S.C.A. judgment holding unconstitutional Title II Housing and Rent 1947, Pub. L. 129, 80th Cong., 1st Sess., U.S.C.A.Appendix, 1891 seq. 2 became effective July 1, following day appellee demanded its tenants increases 40% 60% rental accommodations in Cleveland Defense-Rental Area, admitted violation regulations adopted pursuant thereto.1 Appellant thereupon instituted this proceeding under 206(b) Act2 to enjoin violations. A preliminary injunction issued. After hearing it was dissolved permanent denied. 3 Court, Creedon v. Cloyd Miller Co., 74 F.Supp. 546, view that authority Congress regulate rents by virtue war power (see Bowles Willingham, 321 503, 64 641, 88 892) ended with Presidential Proclamation terminating hostilities December 31, 1946,3 since proclamation inaugurated 'peace-in-fact' though did not mark termination war. It also concluded even if continues, act because say so, only says or enacts provisions so implying, can be held intended exercise such power. That intend, said follows provision Expediter end controls any area without regard official war,4 fact preceding federal rent control laws (which were concededly exercises power) neither amended nor extended. expressed further within 'the emergency created housing shortage came into existence long before war.' 'lacks uniformity application distinctly constitutes delegation legislative grant Congress' authorization lift Act's expiration. effect provides 'low rentals certain groups taking property compensating owner way.' See 548. 4 We conclude, first place, sustains legislation. Hamilton Kentucky Distilleries Warehouse 251 146, 161, 40 106, 110, 194, includes 'to remedy evils which have arisen rise progress' continues duration emergency. Whatever may consequences when officially terminated,5 does necessarily cessation hostilities. recently adequate support proservation rights wartime legislation, Fleming Mohawk Wrecking Lumber 331 111, 67 1129. But has broader sweep. In supra, Ruppert Caffey, 264, 141, 260, prohibition enacted after Armistice World War I sustained as they conserved manpower increased efficiency production critical days during period demobilization, helped husband supply grains cereals depleted effort. Those cases followed reasoning Stewart Kahn, 11 Wall. 493, 20 176, had toll statute limitations process their courts available litigants due conditions obtaining Civil War. 5 constitutional validity present legislation fortiori those cases. history makes abundantly clear there yet been eliminated deficit considerable measure caused heavy demobilization veterans reduction residential construction allocation building materials military projects.6 Since effort contributed heavily deficit, forces short needed article created. If true, Necessary Proper Clause, Art. I, 8, cl. 18, would drastically limited several powers. declined follow course past. pages 155, 156, 107, 108, 194; 299, 300, page 149, 260. decline take today. result paralyzing. render powerless creation mobilization men successful prosecution So read Constitution make self-defeating. 6 recognize force argument effects modern felt economy years years, used peace treat all wounds inflicts our society, swallow up other powers but largely obliterate Ninth Tenth Amendments well. There are no implications today's decision. deal greatly intensified Any power, course, abused. we cannot assume alert responsibilities. And question whether properly employed open judicial inquiry. supra; supra. 7 constitutionality action taken depend recitals undertakes exercise. Here plain invoking cope current condition immediate cause.7 Its score entitled respect granted like police Block Hirsh, 256 135, 41 458, 65 865, 16 A.L.R. 165; Marcus Brown Holding Co. Feldman, 170, 465, 877; Chastleton Corporation Sinclair, 264 543, 44 405, 841. 8 Under authorized remove defense-rental his need longer exists reason new satisfaction demand ways.8 thus delegated far less extensive than 512—515, 647, 892. Nor unbridled administrative discretion. standards prescribed pass muster decisions. 514 516, 648, 892, cited. 9 Objection made exemption certainc lasses accommodations9 violates Fifth Amendment. similar rejected Fourteenth Amendment New York exemptions rent-control review 195, 198, 199, 466, 877. Certainly greater limitations. none. select areas classes where seems greatest. Barclay Edwards, 267 442, 450, 45 348, 349, 69, 703. This alone answer objection, equally applicable original lacks application. 10 regulated suffers decrease value more fatal (Bowles 517, 518, 649, invoked same end. Reversed. 12 FRANKFURTER concurs decides decided Jocob 151, merely applies decisions situation now 13 JACKSON, concurring. 14 agree case, arguments addressed us lead me utter explicit misgivings about done. Government asserts basis vague, undefined undefinable 'war power.' 15 No one will most dangerous free government whole catalogue usually haste excitement calm consideration limitation difficult. executed time patriotic fervor moderation unpopular. And, worst all, interpreted Judges influence passions pressures. Always, urges hasty decision forestall some serve purpose pleads paralysis claims denied confirmation delayed. Particularly do things liberties people, indirectly affect conduct relate nagement itself, should scrutinized care. 17 think hardly deny valid ground at time. still technically state willing hold indefinitely prolonged keeping legally alive ended. accept last permanent—as debts. find conclude could fairly technical. armies abroad exercising terms allies mention principal enemies. conclusion lifetime unavoidable. Section 204(b) 'no person shall demand, accept, receive use occupancy controlled maximum established Emergency Price Control 1942, (50 901 seq.), thereto June 30, 1947.' Controlled Regulation, Fed.Reg. 4331, contains provisions. §§ 2(a), 4(a). Provisions regulation, material, allow adjustment necessary correct inequities permit 15% increase negotiated between landlord tenant incorporated lease designated term. 206(a) unlawful offer, solicit, excess section 204.' apply federal, state, territorial court competent jurisdiction an order enjoining 'any practice constitute subsection (a) section.' 2714, 601 note, 1. recognized 'a exists.' On 25, approving S.J.Res. 123 statutes, President ued statement he declared 'The emergencies September 1939, May 27, 1941, continue exist, however, possible provide powers.' 204(c) provides: hereby directed title ceases effect, area, continuing sufficient otherwise reasonably met.' Commercial Trust Jersey Miller, 262 51, 57, 43 486, 488, 858. H.R.Rep.No.317, pp. 2, 3, 11. Report states, p. 2: 'There factors, addition normal population, existing shortage. These include large number veterans, shifts intensive accommodations, amount construction, trend away units, change occupancy.' As 'Heavy members armed forces, particularly late 1945 half 1946, important accommodations. estimated 6,279,000 returned civilian life, 1946 5,659,000, 1947 February additional 212,000 demobilized. Statistics family units returning undoubtedly figure substantial many delayed until these life. importance impact 11,938,000 life already acute readily apparent.' upon dwelling shown table: 1937.....336,000.1943 350,000 1938.....406,000.1944 169,000 1939.....515,000.1945 247,000 1940.....603,000.1946 776,000 1941.....715,000.1947 799,000 1942.....497,000 figures 1937—1945 inclusive 3. Bureau Labor Statistics, Construction, Dec. 4. note Representative Wolcott, Chairman House Committee Banking Currency reported bill, 93 Cong.Rec. 4395. 4, Sec. 202(c) term 'controlled accommodations' means except include—(1) establishment commonly known hotel community located, occupied persons who provided customary services maid service, furnishing laundering linen, telephone secretarial desk upkeep furniture fixtures, bellboy service; (2) motor court, part thereof; tourist home serving transient guests exclusively, (3) (A) completed conversion contracts families, assisted allocations priorities Public Law 388, Seventy-ninth Congress, approved 22, 1821 remain full (B) 1945, January both dates inclusive, rented (other occupant) accommodations.'

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