Legal Document

333 U.S. 411 68 Supreme Court Reporter 518 92 L.Ed. 774 MITCHELL et al.v.COHEN. SAME versus HUBICKEY. Nos. 130, 131. Argued Jan. 6, 1948. Decided March 8, Mr. Herbert Atlantic Bergson, of Boston, Mass., for petitioners. Gerhard Gesell, Washington, D.C., respondents. Justice MURPHY delivered the opinion Court. 1 The problem here is whether temporary members Volunteer Port Security Force Coast Guard Reserve are entitled to veterans' preference in federal employment by virtue Veterans' Preference Act 1944.1 2 Pursuant § 207 Auxiliary and 1941,2 approximately 70,000 persons were enrolled as Reserve. was a military organization established component part 'to enable that service perform such extraordinary duties may be necessitated emergency conditions.'3 Guard, turn, created constitutes 'a branch land naval forces United States.'4 On November 1, 1941, President directed operate Navy subject orders Secretary Navy.5 3 Of various classifications Reserve,6 largest known Force. Service therein purely voluntary devoted activities patrol guarding harbors, waterfronts, docks, bridges, ships industrial shore establishments. this force took oath allegiance required regular Guard. They 'for duration war upon completion which you will disenrolled unless period your enrollment sooner terminated authority.'7 In actual practice, however, usually permitted leave at any time making request commanding officer unit they assigned. given 'Certificate Disenrollment' severance from Force, honorable discharges mustering-out pay not being provided. 4 Members obligated on active duty 'only competent authority minimum 12 hours per week.'8 It does appear their exceeded amount substantial degree. Because small number service, most able continue civilian with little or no interference. could transferred cities lived without consent. Efforts made assign 12-hour weekly periods fit convenience members. And many them own representations assignments conflicted employment. also excused if found it temporarily inconvenient. 5 These performed pay. cases, received an allowance uniforms; some instances food subsistence while duty. Military status attached only during when actually engaged en route While wore uniforms, usual discipline vested same similar rank. 6 At all times remained Selective Training 1940, 50 States Code Annotated KF65 U5 Appendix, 301 seq. register liable induction into armed forces. fact, did enlist drafted those forces, thereby necessitating disenrollment If illness disease occurred duty, accorded hospital treatment But injured killed line wr e benefits prescribed law employees States. Moreover, ineligible National Life Insurance. 7 Respondent Cohen April 13, 1944, member assigned Captain Port, D.C. He his part-time compensation interruption economist War Department. September 5, 1945, having served 58 days total 398 hours. Hubickey October 18, Philadelphia, Pa. too interference work architect 30, he disenrolled, 32 250 8 4, before passage Act, Civil Commission had ruled under then existing laws.9 after enactment statute question pursuant recommendation Acting Navy, changed ruling decided entitle one terms statute.10 9 two respondents denied government accordance Commission's second ruling. Due general reductions force, respondent discharged Department notified would brought these actions compel classify eligibles; asked court adjudge declare eligibles provisions Act. District granted summary judgments favor. 69 F.Supp. 54. Appeals Columbia affirmed, justice dissenting. 160 Federal Reporter, 2nd Series 915. We cases certiorari, raised importance administration 10 pertinent portion near end 2. That establishes 'those exservicemen women who have States, war, * been separated therefrom conditions.' 11 Respondents claim brings squarely within statutory provision, hence entitling preference. undisputed, course, serve dt y World II conditions. crucial 'ex-servicemen' meaning particular statute. score, urge term must its ordinary literal so refer service.11 length continuity presence absence become immaterial respondents' point view; mere performance type thought sufficient. Since concededly intermittent conclusion reached contemplation Resort legislative history other secondary sources said unwarranted, clear obvious term. our opinion, has single, precise definition permits us read apply help context appears purpose inserted Exservicemen indeed service. include compensation. designation confined more definite narrow class individuals whose full efforts disposal authorities included allowances. Such ex-servicemen completely disassociated themselves suffering financial hardship separation home family. formed great bulk II. popular mind, typified full-fledged soldier, sailor, marine coast guardsman. Our problem, Congress used 'exservicemen' broad sense enacted answer determined examination scheme rather than reliance dictionary definitions. 13 1944 aid readjustment rehabilitation veterans. felt problems returning veterans particularly acute merited special consideration. Their normal mode life seriously disrupted expected resume reemployment aids. Government, capacity employer, take lead program.12 accordingly adopted, creating protection every stage 14 Throughout reports debates leading birth evident consistent desire sacrificed pursuits surroundings struggle nation dedicated itself.13 divorced reason full-time objects Congressional solicitude. Reemployment considered necessary them. 15 There nothing indicate mind instance toward granting rewards life. As them, assistance unnecessary. unchanged since substantially unaltered, there aiding back Indeed, rights solely because inconsistent professed aims framers. diluted conferred full-scale sacrifices; inequitable civilians participated voluntarily essential defense but directly connected 16 true eligibility unmarried widows deceased despite fact continued war. derivative nature. dislocation civil husbands suffered performing partial substitution loss family earning power occasioned husbands' deaths. way expressing moral obligation debt gratitude owe widows. provision certainly affords basis widening concept beyond we indicated. category cannot compared, sacrifice need rehabilitation, group duties.14 17 light very adopting constrained define 'ex-servicemen,' purposes statute, relating allowances, dislocating fabric economic social life.15 thus becomes qualify enactment. possible service; relatively short each week request; few allowances; away homes therefore retain elements caused among whom desired assist means 18 One matter remains. claim, held, acquired part, provides 'this shall construed eligible heretofore to, possessed by, him law, Executive order, civil-service rule regulation, department Government thereof.' extending laws gave preserved subsequently enacted. 19 This contention substance. nature do accrue until veteran through June 27, Ac became neither yet even date. Thus classed ex-servicemen, whatever terms, earned prior inform disenrollment, provided lawful still effect. purport give cause disenrollment. possess unaffected 18. section primarily designed perpetuate preferences earlier peacetime registers.16 obviously type. 20 Reversed. 21 DOUGLAS dissents. Statutes-at-Large 387, KF62 851, 851. 55 9, 12, amended, U.S.C., Supp. V, 307, 307. 201 ad 11, V., 301, 301. 585, 1. Order Number 8929, Fed.Reg. 5581, note. were: (1) Full-time (2) Pilots allowances paid companies; (3) Officers Great Lakes vessels (4) police (5) positions. From form 'Temporary Member Reserve—Enrollment Active Duty Assignment.' Ibid. mentioned footnote supra, call times. Apparently classifications, including call. Circular Letter 4145 Regional Directors Division Chiefs Commission. Reserve, full-time, part-time, intermittently, either pay, positions, constituted distinguished training laws. Departmental 508 Heads Departments Independ-pendent Establishments. modified Reservists stations aboard 1944. out word 'serviceman' defined 'one service.' Webster's New International Dictionary, 2d Ed. (1942). 'I believe functioning should assuring services return consideration obtain absolutely impossible millions young men fighting preserve Nation, expect shown 'The difficult us. spent months years battle fronts over world. Sue ly grateful want express deeds well words.' Rep. Ramspeck, quoted H.R. 1289, 78th Cong., Sess., Page 5. Sess.; S. 907, 90 Cong.Rec. 3501—3507. House report stated (p. 3): 'Private employers corporations, State, county, municipal governments, urged selective-service otherwise afford Your committee feels set pace, proposal program.' Senate 1): believes view rapidly returned life, bill delay.' observations giving wives service-connected disability unable appointment. See Public Law 396, 80th approved 19, 1948, widowed mothers permanently totally disabled ex-servicm ent. 697, 1st 480, Sess. coincides expressed supporters 1389, proposed change providing "active States' mean campaign expedition (for badge authorized).' Hearings held Committee Post Office Service. unanimously reported committee, 465, adopted voice vote Representatives, 93 7315—7318. A unanimous favorably, adjourned considering bill. proponents committees clarification original intent 'ex-servicemen.' country owes Reservists, 'but uprooted occupations subjected rigors combat. latter intended provide 7315. confusion lower decisions instant cases. 2; 3. grant future

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