Legal Document

357 U.S. 1 78 Supreme Court Reporter 1024 2 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 1097 NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD, Petitioner,v.DUVAL JEWELRY COMPANY OF MIAMI, Inc., Duval Jewelry Company, Jenkins and Sons, et al. Number 234. Argued May 20, 1958. Decided June 9, Mr. Norton Judge Come, Washington, D.C., for petitioner. Theo. Hamilton, Jacksonville, Fla., respondents. Justice DOUGLAS delivered the opinion of Court. This controversy grows out an effort a union to obtain representation election1 among employees respondent, Co., retail store. The latter moved dismiss on ground that its interstate operations were inadequate meet jurisdictional tests Act. Five subpoenas duces tecum one subpoena ad testificandum issued.2 persons whom directed before both Board hearing officer revoke subpoenas.3 refused entertain motions grounds those motions, under Rules Regulations,4 require initial ruling by officer. That after granting opportunity denied revoke. was not appealed; respondents comply with subpoenas. Thereupon instituted this proceeding in District enforcement them.5 quashed holding them unreasonable oppressive. It also held they had been invalidly issued. 141 F.Supp. 860. Appeals reversed testificandum; no question concerning it is us. But upheld as respects tecum, alone could rule proceedings. 5 Cir., 243 Federal Reporter, 2nd 427. case here writ certiorari, 355 809, 34, 28, which we granted because conflict Circuits. See, e.g., National Labor Relations versus Lewis, 9 249 832, 833, 836—837; Gunaca, 135 790, affirmed 7 230 542. 3 There degree delegation authority connection motion tecum. Board's Regulations provide first heard regional director or officer.6 subordinate official final. Machinery provided appeal from Board.7 We are advised practice aggrieved party asks leave appeal, stating relied upon. deciding whether grant considers merits. If substantial has raised, denied. presented, granted. Sometimes when granted, action forthwith taken merits, being modified.8 Or where immediate required, defers until entire transferred normal course.9 4 Section 11(1) Act, noted,10 gives person served right 'petition revoke'; section provides 'the shall * such subpena if opinion' statutory requirements satisfied. limited nature delegated distinguishes Cudahy Packing company Holland, 315 357, 62 651, 86 L.Ed. 895, Fleming Mohawk Wrecking 331 111, 67 1129, 91 1375, endowed power issue function another. While there here, ultimate decision reserved Board, subordinate. All preliminary retains final One who can get ruling. fact special permission required appeal11 important. Motion method showing raised validity subordinate's denies leave, decided presented. think more system embodied iin § 11. No matter how strict stubborn requirement may be, law does 'preclude practicable administrative procedure obtaining aid assistants department.' See Morgan States, 298 468, 481, 56 906, 912, 80 1288; Eagles ex rel. Samuels, 329 304, 315, 316, 313, 319, 308. help say some matters original jurisdiction, others appellate jurisdiction. dealing say. As many other coming examiners, merely delegates make Much work necessarily be done through agents. Act 'The may, members agents agencies designate, prosecute any inquiry necessary functions part States.' 29 Code Annotated KF65 U5 155. have seen12 hearings these cases 'may conducted employee office.' Certainly rulings questions much purview his evidence myriad daily presented him. He not, course, word. Ultimate merits all issues him left Board. true well fact. seems us wholly permissible system. need go further consider legality complete type most argument directed. judgment cause remanded proceedings conformity opinion. 6 Reversed. WHITTAKER, concurring. 8 & N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions concur Court's decision, but desire briefly state my reasons. Although legal sense duty upon has, 102.58(c) Regulations, given directors, officers examiners task making interim motions—recognizing, 102.57(c) finally either immediate, though discretionary, interlocutory review completed record course whole proceeding—yet, practical matter, neither discretionary nor affords certainty protection specified Congress, 11(1), against improper oppressive For, notwithstanding refuse allow and, hence, advance time fixed compliance. obvious that, illegal enforced, relieve consummated oppression than unring bell. But, points out, Congress provided, 11(2), enforced only Court, thus effective means exists damage done. For reason accept legalisms nondelegation 9(c)(1) amended, 61 Statutes-at-Large 136, KF62 159, part: 'Whenever petition filed, accordance regulations prescribed Board— investigate reasonable believe affecting commerce appropriate due notice. Such office, recommendations respect thereto. finds exists, direct election secret ballot certify results thereof.' 'For purpose investigations, which, proper exercise powers vested 10— '(1) duly authorized agencies, at times access to, examination, copy investigated proceeded relates investigation question. member thereof, application proceedings, subpenas requiring attendance testimony witnesses production requested application.' 161(1). CFR, 1958 Cum. Pocket Supp., 102.58(c), provides: 'Applications filed writing party, made prior hearing, hearing. Applications parte. officer, requested. Any subpenaed, he intend subpena, shall, within days date service subpena. refer officer: Provided, however, called produced opened, Notice filing petitions promptly whose request if, opinion, relate describe sufficient particularity required. simple statement procedural revoke, answer thereto, thereon, become except Persons compelled submit data entitled retain or, payment lawfully costs, procure, copies transcripts submitted them.' counterpart regulation unfair labor see 102.31. instant issued attorney assigned case. These contained seal facsimile signature member. 102.31(a) Regulations. contains following provision respecting revocation subpoenas: 'Within five possession control, investigation, productions required.' supra, note 2. 11(2) 'In contumacy refusal obey person, district court courts Territory (or Columbia), jurisdiction carried said guilty found resides transacts business, order appear member, agent, agency, produce so ordered, give touching question; failure punished contempt 'All rulings, orders record, aggrieved, 102.58(c). Unless expressly rules part, appealed directly considered reviews record. Requests promptly, writing, on. moving immediately serve thereof each party.' (Italics added.) foregoing applies 102.26. statistics: 'An analysis records three-year period 1, 1955, April 30, 1958, reveals thirteen requests specially trial subpenas; Board; four appeals examiner revoked, sustained.' 2, supra. In Hertner Electric 115 N.L.R.B. 820, 821—822; Jamestown Sterling Corp., 106 466, 469; International Furniture 127, 128, n. 2; Bell Aircraft 98 1277, 1282, 4; Burnup Sims, 95 1130, 1; Morrison Turning 83 687, 688, reviewed decisions subpoena. 10 3, 11 7, 12 9(c)(1), 1.

Classification Label: 8