Legal Document

331 U.S. 111 67 Supreme Court Reporter 1129 91 L.Ed. 1375 FLEMING, Temporary Controls Administrator,v.MOHAWK WRECKING & LUMBER CO. et al. RALEY versus Administrator. Nos. 583 and 512. Argued Submitted April 1, 1947. Decided 28, Mr. David London, of Washington, D.C., for Philip baron Fleming. [Argument Counsel from page 112 intentionally omitted] John W. Babcock, Detroit, Mich., Mohawk Wrecking Lumber company Harry Smith. Paul Flaherty C. L. Dawson, both James G. Raley Thomas E. Raley. Justice DOUGLAS delivered the opinion Court. 1 These cases present question whether Emergency Price Control Act, 56 Statutes-at-Large 23, as amended, 50 U.S.C.App.Supp. V, § 901 seq., U.S.C.A.Appendix, authorizes Administrator to delegate district directors authority sign issue subpoenas. In first these Circuit Appeals Sixth held that such did not exist, 156 Federal Reporter, 2nd Series 891; in second, District Columbia it did. 561. The are here on petitions writs certiorari which we granted resolve conflict. 2 First. After ordered, motion Acting Solicitor General, Fleming, Administrator, be substituted a party each case place Atlantic Porter, Office Administration, resigned. Thereafter respondents filed vacate order substitution, deferred hearing merits.1 has now been briefed argued conclude substitution should denied. 3 Act was amended 1946 provide its termination later than June 30, 1947, saving, however, rights liabilities incurred prior date.2 By November 12, 1946, almost all commodities (including services) were by administrative order3 made exempt price control.4 control had thus entered temporary transition period. On December President issued an Executive Order 'for purpose further effectuating war peace interest internal management Government.' That consolidated Administration three other agencies into Controls5—an agency Management President. latter previously established pursuant Reorganization 1939, 53 561.6 provided appointed President, head vested him, inter alia, functions including maintain his own name civil proceedings, or then pending, relating matters theretofore under jurisdiction Petitione r is 4 It no transfer another vest officer power 201, conferred upon with advice consent Senate. And said even though existed, came end cessation hostilities. 5 First War Powers 1941, 55 838, 601, 'authorized make redistribution among executive he may deem necessary, any functions, duties, powers hitherto law department, commission, bureau, agency, governmental corporation, office, officer, manner judgment shall seem best fitted carry out purposes this title, authorized regulations orders necessary * *.' exercised 'only conduct war,' expires six months after 'the war.' 401, 621. 6 31, creation Controls, while recognizing 'a state still exists,' proclamation declared hostilities terminated.7 does necessarily power. stated Hamilton Kentucky Distilleries Co., 251 146, 161, 40 106, 110, 64 194, includes 'to remedy evils have arisen rise progress' continues during emergency. Stewart Kahn, 11 Wall. 493, 507, 20 176. Whatever reach power, plainly adequate deal problems enforcement arise period but do cease them. No more involved here. 7 Section explicitly new consolidates one agencies. But repeatedly construed confer authority.8 Such construction Chief Executive, being contemporaneous consistent, entitled great weight. See United States Jackson, 280 183, 193, 143, 74 361; Billings Truesdell, 321 542, 552, 553, 737 , 743, 744, 88 917. appropriation Congress funds use stands confirmation ratification action Executive. Brooks Dewar, 313 354, 361, 61 979, 982, 85 1115. 8 Nor think there merit contention gave only existence when became law. true upon' agency. clause illustration granted, limitation it. makes clear extends existing well others. supported states 'shall exercise same heretofore hereafter provided, authorization title contrary notwithstanding.' As Appeals, unless redistribute created passage reference 'hereafter' 'wholly meaningless.' California Lima Bean Growers Association Bowles, Em.App., 150 964, 967. result affected subsequent enactment 201(b) 'with respect particular commodity commodities' government having commodities. effect provision have, purport general so restricts way Yet cases. 9 We need decide who confirmed Senate without confirmation. For provides: 10 '(That) carrying utilize, coordinate, consolidate commissions, bureaus, agencies, corporations, offices, officers law, duties another, personnel thereof part either detail assignment, together whole records public property belonging thereto.' 'utilize law' sufficient sustain resigned, Fleming Works Administrator.9 He incumbent office 'existing at time virtue could lawful ecipient t hrough well. To hold Senate, must once transferred him would quite inconsistent broad grant given Act. Any doubts score moreover, removed recognition recent apporopriation status Administrator.10 acceptance President's Number 9809. Swayne Hoyt, Limited States, 300 297, 301, 302, 57 478, 479, 480, 81 659; supra. 12 reasons successor Porter Rule 25, Rules Civil Procedure, 28 Code Annotated KF65 U5 following section 723c. rule requires showing 'substantial need' continuing maintaining action. Though most controls lifted, effect. Liabilities lifting thereby washed out. Hark, 320 531, 536, 359, 362, 290; Utah Junk 328 39, 44, 66 889, 892; Collins 46, 49, 893, 894. accrued preserved suit started date Act.11 If investigation foreclosed stage, exist defeated, policy 13 Second. come merits. order, delegated function signing issuing subpoenas regional administrators directors.12 201(a) provides part: 14 'The subject civil-service laws, appoint employees deems fix their compensation accordance Classification 1923, amended.' 15 principal Columbia, duly representative place.' 16 Practically identical provisions included 4(b) (c) Fair Labor Standards 52 1060, 1061, 1062, 29 KF62 204, 204. Cudahy Packing Louisiana Holland, 315 357, 788, 62 651, 86 895, authorize Accordingly main controversy decision case. does. 17 legislative history showed granting subpoena eliminated bill Conference. hand, Committee reporting described authorizing 'perform through delegating them bill.' 'any whom powers, S.Rep.No.931, 77th Cong., 2d Sess., Pages 20, 21. expressly delegable gather data investigations, lending support view desired give delegate, explicitly. specifically delegation function. case, applicable Trade Commission §§ 10, 38 722, 723, 49 50, individual members found 202(b)13 dependent own. rule-making 201(d) 18 may, time, proper Act.' 19 itself source function, express implication withheld. Plapao Laboratories, Inc., Farley, App.D.C. 304, 92 228. There negativing authority, far concerned. can absence fairly inferred content Thus presence factors differentiating indicates (b) read restrictively. court Murray, Cir., 781, 786, 787, overwhelming nature program entrusted suggests flexibility prompt expeditious multitude fronts. inaugurated probably comprehensive legal over economy ever attempted. hesitate various performed personally personal direction. Certainly, investigative concerned, hardly expected, magnitude task,14 discretion determining launched. Delay might injury beyond repair. pyramiding Washington decisions apt paralysis. tempt solve problem supplying offices signed blank development orderly responsible administration. considerations reinforce constrution th e allows 21 objections merit. 22 reverse affirm 23 So ordered. 24 Judgment reversed; second affirmed. 25 JACKSON, concurring. 26 N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions concur result. related desire my grounds. 27 reluctant adopt certainly impede administration intent protect fundamental rights. process throughout two practices certain large batches turn subordinates filled signature. Or already subordinates, reading examining causes issuance scope information required. signature those circumstances protection Of very small percentage contested. important thing resisting obedience obtain hearing. am doubt person review remedy. event cannot punished contempt until disobeyed. 30 Enforcement courts automatic. long they full inquiry point me indivieual subordinate shorn independent before enforcement, thought tending way, Cf. dissent Penfield S.E.C., 918, expect intend greater responsibility original issue. because judicial safeguards exist. Compare American Distilling 71 F.Supp. 483; Bowers, 70 751; Bowles Ell-Carr 482, Wilson, 69 447, Hirahara, 441. Public Law 548, 79th Sess. 1(b) regulations, orders, schedules, requirements thereunder, terminate specified concurrent resolution Houses Congress, declaring continuance national defense security, whichever earlier; except offenses committed, incurred, date, treated remaining force sustaining suit, action, prosecution right, liability, offense.' Express decontrol where added amendments. See, example, 1a(b—h). Supplementary Fed.Reg.13464, 19, Fed.Reg.13637. Exec. 9809, 601 note, Fed.Reg.14281. Plan I, 133t note; Fed.Reg.3864; Fed.Reg.192. Proclamation 2714, Fed.Reg. 1. Each formerly perform functions: National Housing Agency, 9070, Fed.Reg.1529; Food 9334, Fed.Reg.5423; Mobilization, 9347, Fed.Reg.7207; Economic Warfare, 9361, Fed.Reg.9861; Foreign 9380, Fed.Reg.13081; Surplus Property 9425, 2071. note. 4, 1941. 87 Cong.Rec. 9413. 80th 1st 14, heading 'Executive Management,' following: 'Office 'Salaries expenses: additional amount, fiscal year 9809 $7,051.752, available payment terminal leave only: Provided, herein appropriated include expenses incident closing liquidation 1947.' supra, note 2. statute preventing extinguishment liability repealed statute, repealing act it, see Rev.Stat. 13, 58 118, U.S.C.Supp. 29, 29. Revised General 53, May 1944, 5191. 202(b) administer oaths affirmations whenever require appear testify produce documents, both, designated statistics indicate volume litigation investigations involved: 1943 1944 1945 Cases commenced Courts Act.* (Fiscal years ending 30).2,219 .6,524 28,283 31,094 Investigations completed Administration.** (Calendar years) .652,851 .333,151 193,348 106,240 (Rep. Dir. Adm. Off. U. S. (1943) Table 7; Id., Id.(1945) C3; (1946) C3.) ** (Quarterly Rep. O. Pacific KF135 P2 A.: Eighth, Page 71; Twelfth, 75; Seventeenth, 104; Eighteenth, 82; Nineteenth, 95.) nine only.

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