Document: 371 U.S. 285 83 S.Ct. 397 9 L.Ed.2d 317 UNITED STATES, Appellant,v.GEORGIA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION. No. 81. Argued Oct. 18, 1962. Decided Jan. 14, 1963. Archibald Cox, Sol. Gen., for appellant. Paul Rodgers, Atlanta, Ga., appellee. Mr. Justice DOUGLAS delivered the opinion of Court. 1 Civilian employees Federal Government were reassigned from Savannah to Georgia, and General Services Administration sought arrange by competitive bidding intrastate mass shipment their household goods between those cities. Georgia law, however, does not permit a rate transporting more than one family; it requires carriers quote schedules approved rates, total charge be sum charges figured individual families.1 Five submitted bids quoting rates lower allowed tariff. After was over contract awarded lowest responsible bidder, Public Service Commission threatened these five with revocation operating certificates should they perform at quoted GSA. The successful bidder thereupon notified GSA that unable contract. Appellee instituted proceedings against carrier, looking toward its certificate. United States intervene in proceeding but do so. also refused allow official testify as circumstances shipping claimed conflicted law. 2 Thereupon filed suit District Court requested convocation three-judge court. complaint alleged, inter alia, law burdened federal officers carrying out functions procurement policy. issue finally joined raises squarely questions. held there no conflict Georgia's regulatory scheme one, concluding case is governed Penn Dairies, Inc., v. Milk Control Comm., 318 261, 63 617, 87 L.Ed. 748. See 197 F.Supp. 793. here on direct appeal (28 U.S.C. §§ 1253, 2101(b)), 28 U.S.C.A. 2101(b); we postponed consideration question jurisdiction until hearing merits. 369 882, 82 1157. 3 We have this if 'required * heard determined district court three judges.' § 1253. whether unconstitutional because exercise power maintain civilian service carry other constitutional substantial our decisions supra; Utilities Comm. California States, 355 534, 78 446, 470 p. 245, 426, therefore required adjudicate it. 2281, 2281; Idlewild Bon Voyage Liquor Corp. Epstein, 370 713, 1294, 8 794; Florida Lime & Avacado Growers Jacobsen, 362 73, 80 568, 4 568. presented an isolated state conflicts statute must give way reason Supremacy Clause. Cf. Kesler Department Safety, 153, 807, 7 641. Direct provisions course under Clause broader scope where alleged only might resolved construction given either or Id., 157, 810. So clear convening Once convened can disposed below any ground, would justified calling Sterling Constantin, 287 378, 393—394, 53 190, 193, 77 375; Railroad Pacific Gas Co., 302 388, 391, 58 334, 336, 319. Court, acting motions summary judgment each parties, said property being transported 'strictly governmental property,' 446. But since involved goods, military supplies, concluded controlled Inc. supra. 5 distinction drawn supra, tenable. Between 1943, when Dairies decided, 1958, Congress enacted Armed Procurement Act 1947, 62 Stat. 21, later codified without change, 70A 127, 10 2301 et seq., which extended elaborated policy negotiated which, noted case, California's regulated rates. U.S., 544, S.Ct., 453. Regulation superseded 1958 Military Traffic Management Regulation.2 That includes 'procedures govern movement uncreated goods.'3 Another provides transportation authorized 'by mode results over-all cost satisfactorily.'4 This entails 'negotiation' 'rates'5 traffic 'Special arrangements pertaining freight traffic.'6 Examples could multiplied enough has been show new continues effect earlier regulation force decided. 6 same negotiating now governs nondefense agencies. basic Property Administrative 1949, 383, 40 481, 393, amended, 41 251 seq. Its are substantially similar contained 1947. It was, indeed, extend 'the principles appropriate modifications principally designed eliminate applicable primarily military.' H.R.Rep.No. 670, 81st Cong., 1st Sess., 6, U.S.Code Cong.Service 1479. Under regulations promulgated pursuant Act, improvement practices executive agencies entrusted Commissioner Transportation (TPUS).7 He represent 'in negotiations contracts transportation.'8 contracting.9 '(a) Negotiates purchases services advertising, makes determinations connection therewith *. '(b) Makes determines rejection all public interest. '(c) Determines type will promote best interests *.' governing Commissioner's enjoins him: 11 'to evaluate movements personal effects and, feasible, negotiate most economical basis such effect.'10 12 'Except exigency precludes action, requests shall made formal advertising (for bids) *.'11 13 plainly within purview 302, 252, 252 follows: 14 'All provided section 253 title, except may agency head if— 15 '(2) admit delay incident advertising; '(10) impracticable secure competition; 16 '(14) bid prices after therefor reasonable independently arrived open competition: Provided, (B) price offered supplier 17 Section 253(b) awards whose advantageous Government, factors considered.' Moreover, 481(a)(4), 481(a)(4) directs carriers' respect 'for use agencies.' Transfer employees, military12 civilian, funds transferred station another.13 18 1949 gives Administrator deal whoever authority make decisions, carrier interstate shipments shipments. 481 indeed provide: 19 'The shall, agencies, extent he so doing terms economy, efficiency, service, due regard program activities concerned— '(4) utility utilities involving before State bodies (Emphasis added.) 20 provision say state-fixed unless get them changed. comparable 22 Interstate Commerce 49 22, allows obtain preferred object settle, beyond doubt, preferential treatment certain classes shippers travelers necessarily prohibited.' Nashville R. Co. Tennessee, 262 318, 323, 43 583, 585, 67 999. And see Southern 322 72, 64 869, 88 1144; 352 158, 174, 241, 249, 211. 21 By 481(a) seek word suggesting that, failing regard, bound accept rate. speak too clearly 'lowest cost' through negotiation carriers, us conclude relief fixed administrative remedy litigation. tied hands officials tightly. then employees—a explicit supplies policy, opposed accordingly way. For 453, provide conditions effectuate policies. Whether wise Chief Executive determine. Perkins Lukens Steel 310 113, 60 876, 84 1108 spoken function enforce will. 23 Reversed. 24 STEWART, whom HARLAN GOLDBERG join, dissenting. 25 Title III 1949,1 simply 'extends Agency 1947.'2 In 270, 441, I stated why think contemplate government conducted framework valid legislation. reasons stated, dissent Court's case. 26 Only additional needs mention here. purports find some support result counterpart 1947 Act. 201(a) Act3 provides, pertinent part, 27 seizes upon words evidence by-pass placing transportation. 29 Far supporting position, another example Congress' assumption remain transactions. refers both seems me authorization alternative procedures read background I.C.C. apply Government. light express statutory exemption shipments, appears quite says nothing decisions—with law.4 Ga. Household Goods Tariff 1—B, GPSC—MF 3, Rules 15. latter part 'Property two families establishments accepted single shipment.' Promulgated March amended October 10, 1960. c. 101, 101001. Joint Travel Regulations, 8, April 1, 1959, 1961, 8001. Regulation, November 5, 201, 201001(b). 201001(k). Adm. Order, ADM 5450.3, change 4, 141a; TPS 7460.1, Attachment, 15, ADM, 141b; 4. 142a. 3. 7b(1). 813, 37 253(c), 253(c). 806, 73b—1, 73b—1. 251—260, 251—260. H.R.Rep. Sess. 6. 481(a), 481(a). conclusion several cited When full, seem anticipate sometimes directly body. Director, Agency, for: 'Negotiation for-hire cargo rate-making classifications, charges, rules Chapter 1959. Similarly, nonmilitary advice expert testimony behalf transportation, (and) communications Change July 31, 141(b).

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