Temengil v. Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands
Temengil v. Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands
Opinion of the Court
DECISION
Before the Court are cross motions for summary judgment brought on behalf of the plaintiff class, the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands and the United States.
I. FACTUAL BACKGROUND
A. Historical
The material facts on the issue of liability are not in dispute. Although the factual background has been extensively reviewed in. previous decisions of this Court in this matter, the sequence of events leading up tc this dispute will be briefly set forth.
Following the eviction of the Japanese Imperial forces
Pursuant to the Trusteeship Agreement, the United States as administering authority assumed full powers of "administration, legislation and jurisdiction" over the territory. Trusteeship Agreement, Art. 3. The United States
"promote the social advancement of the inhabitants and to this end... protect the rights and fundamental freedoms of all elements of. the population without discrimination."
Trusteeship Agreement, Art. 6(3).
Over the course of the next fifteen years, the trusc territory was governed by the Navy and by the Department of the
In the late' 1960's the inhabitants of the territory began assertively pressing their demands for future status negotiations
However, the Trust Territory Headquarters remains on Saipan.
2. The Wage Scales
The United States administration of the Trust Territory produced a rapid change in the economy of the islands, substituting a money economy for the subsistence economy familiar to the people. The post war money economy has been heavily dependant on government employment.
In 1972, the Congress of Micronesia enacted P.L. 4C-49 25 / which established a comprehensive pay plan.
The Fifth Congress of Micronesia viewed the bifurcated compensation policy with dismay noting that "[t]he new plan does not provide equal pay for equal work with equal qualifications", a policy which must remain the "highest goal.
P.L. No. 6-65, the Salary Act of 1975, S.D.l, perpetuated the wage imbalances. Based on the recommendations of a retained consultant, Golightly and Co., the act established a base salary at which Trust Territory citizens would be compensated and encorporated a "market place differential" stated in percentage figures, which would be added on to the pay figures of United States citizens. These differentials ranged from 55.4% to 198.0%. P.L. No. 6-65, Section 6.
The schedules embodied in P.L. No. 6-65 were extended several times during the next few years until the Interior 29 / Secretary issued Secretarial Order No. 3027
In 1979, the High Commissioner by Executive Order Nc. 119 implemented a new pay plan. S.D.23. While Executive Order No. 119, in effect, continues the tripartite wage scales, it differs from previous plans in several significant respects. The new salary schedule eliminates the rubric of "market-place differentials" and instead adopts three separate wage schedules. Trust Territory citizens and citizens of "Southeast Asian" countries who were employed on Saipan are compensated at Schedule I. Schedule III Replaces the previous variable market place differential formulas under which citizens of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom.. Australia and "Northwest European” countries are paid. Compensation under wage Schedule III is approximately twice that paid under Schedule I. S.F.35. Employees who are citizens of other countries are compensated at Schedule II, the levels of which are set between Schedules I and III. S.F.24. Another significant change appears also at Section
II. EMPLOYEES' CLAIMS
The plaintiff class pursues a remedy for the allegedly
In separate cross-motions the Trust Territory and the United States seek summary judgment on all claims, asserting that plaintiffs have demonstrated no invidious discrimination actionable under 42 U.S.C. §1981 and §1983. Also, both governments move for judgment on the Trusteeship Agreement claims.
Briefly, then, the claims pursued by the plaintiff class can be divided into two broad categories:
III. EQUAL PROTECTION CLAIMS
protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment prohibits class-based discrimination which is not sufficiently related to a permissible government objective. Official action can transcend the bounds of equal protection in two ways. It can be "facially discriminatory" in that it "explicitly classifies or distinguishes among persons by reference to criteria - such as race, sex, religion or ancestry - which have been determined improper bases for differentiation." De La Cruz v. Tormey, 582 F.2d 4549 (9th Cir. 1978), cert, denied, 441 U.S. 965 (1979). Or, an action which is facially neutral may nonetheless produce results which demonstrate a disproportionate impact on a class of persons identifiable by similar traits or characteristics. De La Crut, 582 F.2d at 50. Not all classifications, overt or covert, violate principles of equal protection; rather, it is only those 37/ The
A. Overt Classification
1. Standard of Review
A classification which is based on race, national origin or other such class is itself "immediately suspect" and subject "to the most rigid scrutiny." Korematsu v. United States, 323 U.S. 214, 216, 65 S.Ct. 193, 194, 89 L.Ed. 194 (1944). Under this "most rigid scrutiny", the subject classification will survive only upon the government’s demonstration that the categories drawn are "necessary" to meet an "overriding" state interest. Loving v. Virginia. 388 U.S. 1, 11, 87 S.Ct. 1817, 1823, 18 L.Ed.2d 1010 (1967).
The challenged pay scales are drafted in terms of "citizenship." Those "employees who are citizens of the Trust Territory" are paid under one wage scale while those "employees who are citizens of the United States" are paid under another preferred scale.
Initially, it is noted that the Trust Territory does not argue that there should be no shifting of- the burden. Rather, it maintains that the classification .distinguishes in terms of "citizenship" or "alienage" and so triggers a review less searching than that necessitated by a racial classification.
An appropriate starting point for an analysis of the challenged classification is a review of the United States Supreme Court's opinions regarding distinctions based on alien-age. As a general matter, in reviewing classifications based on alienage, the Supreme Court has examined the governmental body
mentioned in Ambach is termed the "rule of governmental functions". 99 S.Ct. at 1593. This rule refers to state action barring non-citizens from participating in those essential government functions which "lie at the heart of our political institutions," Foley v. Connelie, 435 U.S. 291, 296, 98 S.Ct. 1067, 1071, 55 L.Ed.2d 287 (1978). The Court emphasized that while aliens are active participants in community life, the right to govern is a right uniquely reserved to citizens. Folev 620 See
In addition to identifying this line of cases to support its conclusion that the proper review depends "on the amount of discretion that the government requires to accomplish its objectives, and the importance of those objectives,
The Trust Territory correctly notes that Federal discrimination against aliens has been treated in a manner very different from similar state classifications. See Note, Dual Standard, supra note 42, at 1516 n.3. Thus, in Fiallo v. Bell,
The narrow standard of review of federal alien classifications does not indicate a relaxing of the Court's position stated in Graham, nor does it represent a conflicting line of decisions. Rather, the Supreme Court rests its lenient treatment of federal regulation of aliens on unique national powers granted by the Constitution. On a previous occasion, the Court found it "pertinent to observe" that "any policy toward aliens is vitally and intricately interwoven with contemporaneous policies in regard to the conduct of foreign relations, the war
From these three lines of cases can be extracted only general criteria for determining the appropriate standard of review. The Supreme Court in the past has examined the source and the nature of the governmental authority exercised and the relation of the action taken to that authority to determine the judicial deference mandated. Thus, where a state has employed alienage as a classification criterion, the Court has closely examined the selected classification to see~r§ — Lt—is-necessary to promote a compelling state interest. This strict review is required because of the general irrelevance of alienage to state actions and the great potential for discrimination due to the political impotence of aliens as a group. However, where the action challenged relates to a fundamental operation or function
The Supreme Court cases produce no litmus test for state or federal decisions and a fortiori produce no mechanical standard by which to review the facts here presented. The Trust Territory and the trust relationship it represents
The High Commissioner's jurisdiction in the Northern Marianas after January 9, 1978, however, was greatly limited
The High Commissioner's actions must be viewed in light of the retained authority to determine the appropriate deference to be given to the actions in question. Two important factors predominate. The Trust Territory Government no longer had authority over immigration into the Northern Mariana Islands, since .the Covenant extended such authority ' to the Commonwealth.
Accordingly, this Court does not find present these factors which have persuaded the Supreme Court to give special deference to certain species of decisions of state and federal government regarding aliens.
The Trust Territory's other arguments to the contrary simply are not persuasive. In urging the adoption of a rational basis test, the Trust Territory compares the instant situation with federal Indian cases wherein classifications singling out Indians were examined only for a rational relation to a legitimate interest. Trust Territory's Opening Memorandum, pp. 18, 27-28, citing Morton v. Mancari, 417 U.S. 535, 94 S.Ct. 2474, 41 L.Ed.2d 290 (1974) and Livingston v. Ewing, 455 F.Supp. 825 (D.N.M. 1978), aff'd, 601 F.2d 1110 (10th Cir. 1979), cert. denied, 447 U.S. 905 (1979). The Court does not find these cases or the Indian analogy supportive of the Trust Territory's argument.
This Court has previously recognized the aptness of the analogy between the United States-Indian and United States-Micronesian trust relationships. See Palacios v. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Civ.App.No. 81-9017 (D.N.M.I.(App. Div.) 1983) slip op. at 10 ("the very purposes which engendered the judicially created Indian fiduciary doctrine apply a fortiori to the Micronesian-U.S. relationship"). However, there is no analogy between the facts of -Mancari and Livingston and the facts here presented. The action taken by the Trust Territory compensating the Trust Territory citizens at a rate approximately half that paid United States citizens does not immediately dispel
The Trust Territory also argues that the "paramount international obligations" arising out of the Trusteeship Agreement
Additionally, the Trust Territory cites the devolution of the Government and the need to give deference . to decisions hastening the termination of the Trusteeship. These goals do not support an argument that the wage scales are drawn. The assertion that the Government will terminate soon, thereby eliminating the need for the differentials, may demonstrate that the pay discrimination is of short life span, eliminating the need for indefinite injunctive relief. But, in no manner can this event alone justify past discrimination or dissipate the need for remedial monetary relief.
Again, the Trust Territory argues that the discrimination was "self-imposed by a majority group... against itself."
Moreover, there are serious problems of justice connected with the idea of preference itself. First, it may not always be clear that a so-called preference is in fact benign. Courts may be asked to validate burdens imposed upon individual members of a particular group in order to advance the group's genera] interest. [Citation omitted.] Nothing in the Constitution supports the notion that individuals may be asked to suffer otherwise impermissible burdens in order to enhance the societal standing of their ethnic groups. Second, preferential programs may only reinforce common stereotypes holding that certain groups are unable to achieve success without jpecial protection based on a factor having no relationship to individual worth. [Citations omitted, ]
98 S.Ct. at 2752.
Although Justice Powell announced the judgment of the Court, he did not obtain a plurality on his position regarding • the standard of review. However, he was joined by four other Justices (Brennan, Marshall, White, and Blackmun) in his rejection of the deferential, rational basis standard. The
2. National Origin
The challenged classification is deserving of thorough and searching review for another reason - it significantly relies on national origin for a substantial part of its foundation. Generally, classifications based on alienage have been treated differently from those discriminations based on race or national origin because "the class of aliens is itself a heterogeneous multitude of persons with a wide-ranging variety of ties to [the] country." Mathews v. Diaz, supra, 96 S.Ct. at 1890-1891. Rather, the "suspect" character of the alien class
In approaching cases... in which federal constitutional rights are asserted, it is incumbent on us to inquire not merely whether those rights have been denied in express terms, but also whether they have been denied in substance and effect. [Emphasis added.]
Justice Murphy, in his concurrence, added that the decision in Oyama "is dictated by the uncompromising opposition of the Constitution to racism, whatever cloak or disguise it nay assume." 68 S.Ct. at 277.
Second, the classification defined as "Trust Territory citizen" is a group which can almost uniformly be classified as Micronesian in ethnic origin. Good reason exists for this statistical purity. "Trust Territory citizenship" is an administrative classification designed by the Trust Territory government to identify those persons who claim origin or ancestry in the islands of Micronesia. "Natural citizens" of the Trust Territory are only those bom in the Trust Territory who do not
The ethnically pure nature of the class of Trust Territory citizens alone would justify a decision to strictly review the classifications involved here due to its "suspect" nature and potential for hidden or disguised abuses. Considered in conjunction with what has previously been said regarding alienage and the classes here involved, principles of justice and fair play not only warrant a searching review of the classifications chosen, they demand it.
2. Trust Territory's Justifications
The Supreme Court has held that "[i]n order to justify the use of a suspect classification, a [government] must show that its purpose or interest is both constitutionally permissible
The Trust •’Territory sets forth two prevailing governmental interests in justification of the use of the challenged wage scales. First, the Trust Territory cites its trusteeship obligation to "promote the economic advancement and self-sufficiency of the inhabitants." Due to the state of the economy of the island's in the post-war period the Trust Territory concluded- that it would need to recruit skilled labor from other regions . to meet its obligations. Making this recruitment of experienced manpower a goal in itself, the government sought the means .to best accomplish this. They concluded that the expatriate expertise would have to be paid at a wage equivalent to. the prevailing wage of the labor market from which the manpower was drawn. Believing a unitary pay scale set at a united States wage level to be financially disastrous and economically unsound, the government established the tripartite wage scale to meet its stated goals. Brief in Support of TTPI Defendants' Motion for Summary Judgment 14-15.
Initially, it would be difficult to argue with the Trust Territory's assertion that its goals of promoting "economic advancement" and "self-sufficiency" as mandated by the Trusteeship Agreement are sufficiently compelling to justify some
The "economic advancement" of the Micronesian people was a difficult task not just in its accomplishment as much as,in the definition of the goal. Following the war, Micronesia was devastated. In the views of one commentator, "[w]hen the fighting was over, the Micronesian economy had been set back a quarter of a century."
'The wax destroyed the ¡Marianas, especially ¡Saipan. Over 30,000 lives were lost in the campaign.
The Kennedy administration sought to alter United States policy regarding Micronesia, and in fact did so in dramatic fashion. In 1962, the capitol was moved, for the first time to Micronesia. The Kennedy administration set out to raise living standards by sending American teachers to teach English, adopting American health standards, and sending in the Peace
The policy decisions made regarding the path of economic development in Micronesia are the type of political question best left to the expertise of the coordinate branches of government.
The issues then may be framed as follows: was the employment of "foreign" personnel compelling as a goal and was it a necessary means to the goal of "economic advancement"? Secondly, were the wage scales necessary to each goal? A review of these issues leaves this Court no alternative but to conclude that the means and ends were neither sufficiently necessary nor substantial enough to justify the resulting discrimination.
In reviewing a classification which touches on an individual's race or ethnic background, the person challenging
One immediately apparent flaw in the wage scale is the failure of the chosen classification scheme to sufficiently promote the stated goals. Throughout its brief and at the hearing on. the motions, the Trust Territory has attempted to justify the tripartite wage scales with the argument that skilled and experienced labor was needed to meet the Trust Territory's economic development goals. Their argument, already stated earlier, is that such labor with the necessary qualifications could only be found in outside labor markets; thus, a wage competitive with the source labor pool was necessary. Even assuming for the sake of argument that only by paying source pool wages would recruituient be possible,
In several instances the scales had the reverse effect. There is evidence in the record to demonstrate that qualified Trust Territory citizens left the employ of the Trust Territory Government due to the undesirability of working along side a non-Trust Territory citizen in the same position classifi
Perhaps more telling of the failure of the wage scale to provide a sufficiently "close fit" and of the vacuity of the Trust Territory's protestations of good faith in the promulgation of the wage scales are the preferential provisions for "local hire" United States citizens. The "local hire" wage scale was designed to compensate non-Trust Territory citizens who were recruited from within the Trust Territory. See P.L. No. 6-65, §3(8)(b). The Congress of Micronesia had consistently expressed frustration with the Government’s system of paying local hires in parity with prime contract employees. In reporting out the Salary Bill Act of 1973, the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Governmental Operations commented favorably on the section of the bill which reduced the salary of local hires to take-home parity with Trust Territory citizens.
Again, during the development of the 1975 Salary Act (enacted as P.L. No. 6-65) a local hire "phase down" was strongly recommended.
During the next two years, the Trust Territory Administration and the Congress of Micronesia negotiated regarding a viable and mutually acceptable compensation plan. See, e.g., S.S.C.Rep. No. 7-330, 7th Cong.of Micronesia, 2nd Special Sess. 1(1978)(S.D.13)(referring to objections to "administration-sponsored legislation which...would...provide for new Base Salary Schedules."). During the negotiations, P.L.No. 6-65 was continued in effect.
The lack of the "close fit" demanded of classifications such as those used here is further evidenced by the lack of precision in the differentials as drafted. When originally adopted in a comprehensive pay plan the differentials were based on the prevailing market rates of the source labor markets.
Executive Order No. 119 abandons the floating differential for non-Trust Territory citizens and establishes three inflexible schedules. United States citizens are compensated under Schedule III as are citizens of "Canada, the 89 / United Kingdom, Australia [and] Northwest European countries.
In addition to the inflexibility of' the Executive Order No. 119, the Trust Territory has produced no evidence to justify the labor market clusters themselves. Omitted are the differentiations among the Canadian, European and Australian labor markets which were included in P.L. No. 6-65 after initial 91/ economic studies.
Also demonstrating the absence of the necessary correlation between the scales and the goal of recruiting needed labor is the basic design of the pay differentials .themselves. The goal of recruiting skilled labor from outside the Territory is not furthered by paying a "market differential'! based on prevailing wages other than those of the country from where the employee is recruited. Citizenship is for the most part irrelevant except as a general indicator of the probable country of recruitment. However, the point of recruitment is readily identifiable, thus eliminating the need to determine probabilities based on citizenship. Thus, the use of citizenship fails in dramatic fashion to meet the desired goals. The classification can be expected to attract United States citizens from any labor market, but will not attract others who are employed in a market with higher prevailing wages than those of his or her home country. The offensiveness of the classification
"[T]he plan revises the definition of 'United States Citizen' to mean only bona fide United States citizens. United States permanent resident aliens, who were previously considered United States citizens, will no longer be considered as such by the new plan."
Memorandum from Director of Personnel to Administrator of Administrative Services (6/20/79)(S.14D). Whether an employee recruited from the United States is a citizen or a "permanent resident alien" should be of no consequence if the actual goal is the stated goal of providing recruitment incentives. The Trust Territory's justification shows considerable weakness.
The Trust Territory's justifications are also inadequate in their failure to prove the unavailability of less restrictive alternatives. Of some weight is Trust Territory's failure to demonstrate to the satisfaction of this Court that an intermediate wage at which all workers would be paid was not feasible. Under the plan drafted by the Trust Territory-Administration and its consultants, and enacted as P.L. No. 6-65, United States citizen employees were paid a differential which
Perhaps more telling is the failure to adequetely explain why proposed "phase-outs" of United States contract workers were never carried out. There was no shortage of counsel on this matter. The Government itself in 1973 stated its aim to phase out virtually all expatriate employment to alleviate the
Despite the constant attention given the subject, the administration did not trim down its ratio of expatriate employees to any considerable extent. From 1970 to 1977 the percentage of Trust Territory citizens employed on a Territory-wide basis rose from 89.3%
Year T.T. Citizen % U.S. Citizen %
m O'* tH m •H vo
o O CM m 'H vo "M
co CM CM O'* vO 00
co CO CM cm CT* vo 00
o CO CM oo O'* c to vo 00
<r On CM co Cn $5 vo 00
co 00 CM co O'* vo99
Thus, while there was a reduction in total personnel employed at the Headquarters, the Trust Territory did not "phase out" expatriate employees at a greater rate.
The Trust Territory's attempts to justify the use of
The conclusion reached regarding the unconstitutionally of the wage scales as promulgated and perpetuated by the Trust Territory administration is dispositive of the equal protection claim and entitles plaintiffs to remedial relief. Unfortunately, the equal protection doctrine is still in an early stage of
of discriminatory intent is a relatively recent development in equal protection analysis, first finding its place in Supreme Court jurisprudence in Washington vs. Davis,
In the first instance, the Supreme Court has demanded substantial justifications for the use of such criteria because these laws "are precisely the kind of laws that are most likely to have resulted from animus, or prejudice, or the arbitrary discounting of individuals or groups." J. Clark, Legislative Motivation and Fundamental Rights in Constitutional Law, 15 S.D. L.Rev. 953, 969-970 (1978)(Clark). However, presumptions of intentional discrimination are not the only reasons suspect classifications trigger strict scrutiny. The very use of race or like criteria is disfavored "because of its tendency to foster race consciousness, to ingrain stereotypical thinking, and to cause competition and even hostility among racial groups." S. Bice, Motivational Analysis as a Complete Explanation of the Justification Process, 15 S.D.'L.Rev. 1131, 1134 (1978). Thus, the Supreme Court has subjected to close judicial review all classifications which facially delineate on the basis of race, national origin, or other like criteria whether or not there, has
The SupiPRe Court in Washington v. Davis adáixu. ■ai e ¡ challenge to an employment test which was facially neutra., but » which in effect disqualified four times more black than «aits; applicants. Rejecting the plaintiffs' calls for strict scrutiny, the Court concluded that disproportionate impact, "[s3 tending alone... does not trigger the rule... that racial classifications are to be subjected to the strictest scrutiny and are justifiable only by the weightiest of considerations." 96 S.Ct. at 2049. In addition there must be an intent or purpose to discriminate. It is under this newer element of equal protection jurisprudence that the Trust Territory urges that plaintiffs' claims be considered.
Although the Court remains convinced that the actions herein complained of transcend the bounds of equal protection on the basis of their unjustified use of suspect criteria, the Court also finds evidence of intentional discrimination. Accordingly, as an alternative basis for its judgment, the Court relies on the plaintiffs' demonstration of impermissible intent as set forth in. the following disproportionate impact analysis.-L
As stated above, it is now settled that a facially neutral statute or regulation which disproportionately disadvantages a suspect or less than suspect class of persons or which infringes upon a fundamental right or important interest will not, standing alone, be found violative of the equal protection clause, Washington v, Davis, supra, Village of Arlington Heights v. Metropolitan Housing Development Corp., 429 U.S, 252, 97 S.Ct. 555, 50 L.Ed.2d 450 (1977). The Equal Protection Clause prohibits only invidious discrimination. Washington v. Davis, 96 S.Ct. at 2047. Thus, to succeed on his or her claim, a plaintiff must prove that the disproportionate effect is the result of "racially discriminatory purpose" or intent. Washington v. Davis, 96 S.Ct. at 2047-2048. The burden rests with the challenger to show that the government action was taken to some extent "because of" the adverse impact and not just "in spite" of it. Personnel Administrator of Massachusetts v, Feeney, 442 U.S. 256, 279, 99 S.Ct. 2282, 2296, 60 L.Ed.2d 870 (1979). However, the plaintiff need not demonstrate that an unlawful intent was the sole purpose of the action; rather, it must be shown to have
As an initial matter, it cannot be disputed that the use of the challenged wage scales disproportionately affects Micronesians.
The burdenwhich the Supreme Court has placed upon challengers of adverse impacts is not one lightly taken;-proof of IQhJ The
Disproportionate impact, however, is by no means irrelevant and "may provide an important starting point." Arlington Heights, 97 S.Ct. at 564. The adverse impact, as noted above, is clear. How does this aid in the proof of intent?
The Supreme Court has declined to adopt the tort law analysis that one intends- the natural and . foreseeable consequences of his or her acts. "[DJisparate impact and foreseeable consequences, without more, do not establish a constitutional violation." Columbus Board of Education v. Penick, 443 U.S. 449, 464, 99 S.Ct. 2941, 2950, 61 L.Ed.2d 666 (1979). Nevertheless, "actions having foreseeable and anticipated disparate impact are relevant evidence to prove the ultimate fact, forbidden purpose." Id. In situations where the
The Trust Territory does not dispute that the compensation plans had a severely disproportionate impact on Micronesian employees. The ethnic homogeneity of the class of Trust Territory citizens amply supports the foreseeability of the adverse impact on Micronesians. The administration admits that the pay plans were promulgated "knowingly and intentionally, and not by accident or mistake." S.F.33. Furthermore, its own records, produced in response to discovery.requests, reveal that the employee class compensated under Schedule I consists almost exclusively of Micronesians. Nor can the administration feign unawareness of the social consequences of the compensation plan. In 1969, the Trust Territory Department of Education, reporting on the existing compensation practices and proposing a "single salary schedule for Education employees" drew attention to the discriminatory pay practices and warned that "dissatisfaction and feeling of inequitable treatment does not foster a satisfied [employee]." DOE Report supra note 20, at "Conclusions." Perhaps
The historical background of the challenged action may also be useful in determining discriminatory intent "particularly if it reveals a series of official actions taken for invidious purposes." Arlington Heights, 97 S.Ct. at 564. The actions of the United States regarding policy in Micronesia is probative for
The United States has, in general, been relatively candid in its admissions that its policy regarding Micronesia is founded primarily on its perceived national security needs. The United States' drafted Trusteeship Agreementi
Perhaps most revealing regarding the attitude of the United States are the actions taken by the Kennedy and Johnson administrations in the 1960's. The policies of these administrations are reflected in the report of Anthony Solomon's Visiting Mission to the Trust Territory which was conducted in response to National Agency Security Memorandum No.
"maximum impact of the recommended capital investment program will not be felt until late 1967 on the one hand,nor will it be felt as strongly after 1968, since the Mission does not expect the development process in the private sector of the Micronesian economy to be strong enough to offset the anticipated cutback in the capital investment program after fiscal year 1968."122 /
The goal of selling annexation to the Micronesians would be aided by other actions which would "facilitate the general development of Micronesia[n] interest in, and loyalties to, the U.S." such as sponsorship of leader visits to the United States, introduction of ’"U.S.-oriented curriculum changes" and' "patriotic rituals" into the schools, and acceleration of college scholarship programs.
The security-oriented goals never lost the sight of the Mission, however. The intensive capital investment program was considered "strategic rental,
The candid analysis of United States' policy embodied in the Solomon Report become, in the words of one commentator, the "blueprint" for Micronesia followed by the Kennedy and Johnson administrations. Note, Self-Determination, supra note 70 at 284 n.45.
The historical background assists in attempting to decipher the intent and purpose of the Trust Territory-government ' s personnel actions in the 1970's. The historical policy actions taken and the general attitude of the government toward the complaining class must be reviewed in light of the legislative history and the events surrounding the challenged action. Arlington Heights, 97 S.Ct. at 564-565.
"you will be brought into the planning and decision processes as full and equal participants with American personnel. To accelerate this process, I have directed the High Commissioner to start within 90 days an active and imaginative program of training of Micronetians for positions of greater responsibility in the Administration. Every effort will be made to eliminate any difference which may exist in pay schedules. We look forward to the day when we can proudly say that we provide for persons with equal qualifications, equal pay for equal work throughout the Trust Territory Government.133
Adopting the Secretary’s stated objectives on behalf of the Trust Territory Government was then High Commissioner Edward Johnson who told the Micronesian people:
"The keynote of our program will be the ever-increasing involvement of the Micronesian people in their own government. Greater emphasis than ever before will be placed on a Micronesian Training Program reaching every level of every branch of the Trust Territory*680 Government. We must fully realize that as Micronesians prepare themselves eventually to occupy every position in their government, there must be an equalization of the American and Micronesian pay scales in the Trust Territory.134 (Emphasis added).
The encouraging statements of the two officials were received with appreciation and were followed by immediate responses by people in the Trust Territory.
The Trust Territory Department of Education was one of the first to act, interpreting Secretary's Hickel's statement as a "mandate... to proceed toward the accomplishment of [equality of pay]." DOE Report, supra note 20 at "Origin of Study." A special committee composed to study Department of Education's compensation policy proposed a plan to provide take-home pav equity among United States and Micronesian employees. In the following year, H.B. 57 was introduced in the Congress of
Contrary to his indications to the Congress of Micronesia, the High Commissioner did not adopt the recommendations of the EMSI Report. Instead, he enacted new pay scales which set the pay of contract personnel to approximately the wage earned by Civil Service employees. It was estimated that this resulted in a greater pay discrepancy, and set United States personnel salaries at a rate 50% to 300% higher than that proposed by EMSI. S.S.C.Rep. No. 4-26, supra note 135, at 155. Additionally, the High Commissioner adopted a local-hire pay plan allowing local
Not surprisingly, the members of the Congress of Micronesia were outraged.
H.B. 57, as reintroduced, inter alia, mandated the High Commissioner to develop a single scale pay plan by April 1972; in the interim, the EMSI proposals would take effect. On July 10, 1971, the High Commissioner vetoed H.B. 57.
We still. view the adoption of a single pay plan for all' employees of the Trust Territory Government as essential. This is one area, however, on which the Administration has refused to compromise. Therefore, the bill gives the authority for the enactment of 'one or more salary schedules.'
Id.
' At the end of 1972, the administration's pay scales' were criticized by yet another consultant. Public Administration Services', commissioned to study the existing pay scales and propose modifications, found the administration's pay scales for
Also objectionable was the administration's local-hire pay plan which compensated local-hire and third country nationals at 80% of the United States schedule. This differential was "unjustifiably high" and was not supported by the government's assertions that differentials were needed to attract labor. Local-hire labor was already here. Moreover, because the pay scales did no more than set pay on the basis of color or national origin, they were termed "repugnant both from the moral and the legal points of view." PAS Report, at 21- 22. Also, regarding the 80% differential for third country nationals, the report
The Congress of Micronesia implemented many of the PAS recommendations in P.L. No. 5-59. The new schedule steered away from the federal wage rates and instead paid united States contract employees the base salary and a tax allowance, plus a recruitment allowance based on the prevailing wages of the country of recruitment. Importantly, the recruitment differential applied only to those expatriates recruited from abroad. Section 7(1); Section 8. The 802 local-hire differential was replaced by a nominal tax-relief allowance. The new salary plan was to expire within one year in order to give Congress an opportunity to review it after implementation.
The enactment of P.L. No. 6-65 demonstrates the administration's success at selling its position regarding local hires. Under P.L. No. 6-65, local hires are returned to the 80% differential; the Congress of Micronesia compromise appears as a two-year limit on the differential.
The capstone of the administration's efforts tc segregate absolutely the Micronesians and United States citizens is Executive Order No. 119. Already discussed above, the terns of the Order need not be extensively reviewed here. Executive Order No. 119 established a tripartite wage scale. Despite the constant battles over local hires, once the High Commissioner again had unfettered authority, local hire United States citizens were paid at the same rate as expatriates recruited from abroad.
There is more than sufficient evidence to demonstrate that the Trust Territory administration, by failing to take remedial action on and after January 9, 1978 regarding the discriminatory pay practices and by promulgating Executive Order No. 119, was acting with the purpose and intent of offering preferential compensation plans to United States citizens over equally qualified Micronesians. The intent to discriminate does not necessarily mean an intent to harm Micronesians. See Larry P. v. Riles, 495 F.Supp. 926, 979 (N.D.Cal. 1979)(Even a "well meaning intention to adopt and retain procedures" which have a segregative effect found violative of equal protection). The
2. Trust Territory's Justifications
The burden now shifts to the Trust Territory to "rebut the presumption of unconstitutional action by showing that permissible racially neutral selection criteria and procedures have produced the monochromatic result." Alexander v. Louisiana. 405 U.S. 625, 632, 92 S.Ct. 1221, 1226, 31 L.Ed.2d 536 (1972)). Put another way, "the presumption of intentional discrimination becomes proof unless the defendants affirmatively establish that their action or inaction was a consistent and resolute application of racially neutral policies." Oliver v. Michigan State
In reviewing the Trust Territory's justifications, this Court will not accept allegations of a mere rational basis. Upon a prima facie showing of discrimination, "judicial deference is no longer justified." Arlington, 97 S.Ct. at 563. The government's justifications will be subject to the strictest scrutiny and are justifiable only by the weightiest of considerations. Davis, 96 S.Ct. at 2049. The rule that a law or other government action which classifies on national origin requires an extraordinary justification "applies as well to a classification that is ostensibly neutral but is an obvious pretext for... discrimination." Feeney, supra, 99 S.Ct; at 2292. The Second Circuit has well-stated the burden shift in the context of school segregation:
The burden of proof then shifts to the defendant officials to show that the pattern of actions taken by those officials can be explained in a manner consistent with the absence of segregative intent. Put differently, once the burden of proof has shifted, school officials must be able to demonstrate that no reasonable alternative policy would have achieved the same permissible educational goals with less segregative effect. When such a showing cannot be made, it is entirely reasonable to infer that the officials acted with unlawful segregative intent. [footnote omitted]
The Trust Territory’s justifications for the continued use of the disputed wage scales have- been extensively reviewed in the previous section! that analysis applies equally as well here. The administration argues that the disproportionate and adverse impact on Micronesians is an unfortunate, undesirable, but unavoidable consequence of a policy necessary to promote the economic advancement of the Trust Territory inhabitants. As discussed above, however, the need for the continued employment of foreign, especially United States, personnel has not been sufficiently supported. The Trust Territory itself conceded years ago that a phase-down of non-Micronesian personnel was necessary for an eventual equalization of pay scales. Yet, from 1978 to the present, there has actually been a relative increase in United States employees at the Headquarters. See supra p.61. The Court is not convinced that there were no qualified Micronesian employees to staff the Headquarters, nor is it satisfied that implementation of the "innovative" training programs ordered by Secretary Hickel would not have provided the necessary manpower.
Moreover, even were a small staff of non-Micronesian personnel necessary, the Trust Territory has not persuaded the Court that the divergent pay scales were necessary to the recruitment of these employees. Not only is there no evidence that the administration would be unable to attract qualified
Not surprisingly, the Court concludes that the Trust Territory Government has failed to justify on permissible grounds its actions perpetuating and promulgating the tripartite wage scale. In light of the available alternatives which the government stubbornly refused to explore yet which had less discriminatory impact, the Trust Territory has failed to convincingly demonstrate that its activities were taken independent of discriminatory intent. The inference that such discriminatory intent led to the challenged actions regarding compensation plans is compelling. The Trust Territory government’s actions on and after January. 9, 1978 were taken in violation of
IV. Trust Territory Bill of Rights
1 T.T.C. §7 provides:
Discrimination on accpunt of race, -sex, language or religion! No law shall Be enacted xn the Trust Territory which discriminates against any person on account of race, sex, language or religion; nor shall the equal protection of the laws be denied.
At a minimum, the equal protection clause of the Trust Territory Code prohibits conduct which violates principles of equal protection embodied in the United States Constitution. See, e. g., Di Stefano v. Di Stefano, 6 T.T.R. 312 (High Court 1973)(the interpretation and meaning of the clauses of the United States Constitution).
V. Trusteeship Agreement Claims
"The Trusteeship Agreement creates direct and affirmative rights which are judicially enforceable in federal courts." Temengil 1, 33 FEP Cases 1035; People of Saipan v. Department of the Interior, 502 F.2d 90, 97 (9th Cir. 1974), cert. denied, 420 U.S. 1003. The Agreement created a fiduciary relationship between the United States and the people of the Trust Territory in which "the interests of the inhabitants of the territory become paramount." Liebowitz, supra note 9, at 79 n.236. Temengil v. Trust Territory, Civ.No. 81-0006 (Decision filed Feb. 4, 1985) (Temengil IX); Temengil 1, 33 FEP Cases at 1032. The terms and principles of the Agreement govern the conduct of the United States and the Trust Territory governments alike; each are subject to liability for the breach of duties and obligations created thereunder. Temengil I, 33 FEP Cases at 1044-1047.
The duttiesimposed under the agreement are unprecedented in their "detail, precision and scope." Temengil I, 33 FEP Cases at 1035. Specifically, the covenants against discrimination encompassed by the Agreement are legion.
The contours and delineations of these covenants against discrimination are found in and derived from "relevant principles of international law... which have achieved a substantial degree of codification and consensus." People of Saipan, 502 F.2d at 99. This Court has previously held that /Ma well-recognized and leading document" which further defines such international principles is the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Gen. Assembly Res. 217 A(III)(Dec. 10, 1948)
*696 Everyone, without discrimination has the right to equal pay for equal work.
The rights of freedom from discrimination are further elaborated at Article 2:
Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.
Equal protection principles are embodied at Article 7 which provides:
All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of — the law. All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation.of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination.
The United States fares no better. The international obligations expressed in the Charter, the Agreement and the Declaration are imposed on the United States itself as a member of the international community and as signatory to the documents. It cannot, and does not, escape liability simply because it delegated its duties to an entity which acted in violation of principles of international law. The United States is a trustee imbued with affirmative fiduciary obligations which cannot be delegated. Where delegation of acts has been made, the trustee remains liable for any resulting breach of those obligations.
VI. CONCLUSION AND RELIEF
The Court concludes that on January 9, 1978 the Trust Territory government was possessed with duties and obligations to guaranty to its employees, at least to those whom it employed or continued to employ within the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands - the Plaintiffs in this case, the equal protection of the law regardless of national origin. The failure
The United States, as well, has'breached its duties to the inhabitants of the Trust Territory. Injunctive relief will issue against it.
The parties will set a status conference on these issues of injunctive and monetary relief to be held no later than July 18, 1986.
Date
Also named as defendants in this action are the High Commissioner, the United States Department of the Interior and its Secretary. It has already been determined that the defendant officials are sued in their official capacity only making the action one properly against the two governments. See Temengil v. Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, 33 FEP Cases 1027, 1029 n.5 (D.N.M.I. 1983) (Temengil I). Accordingly, throughout this decision, the defendants will be referred to only as the Trust Territory and the United States.
/ Guam, the southern-most island in the Marianas chain, h been under the sovereignty of the United States since 189 with the exception of a brief Japanese occupation between 19¿2 and 1944. R. Gale, The Americanization of Micronesia: A-Study of the Consolidation of U.S. Rule In the Pacific, 31 (197?) (GaliTTP. Farrell","“liberation-1944, 157-169 (1984)". u to
/ The former Japanese Mandated Islands were under the jurisdiction of the United States Naval Military government immediately following the defeat of the Japanese forces. D. Richard. United States Naval Administration of the Trust Territory of <D (0 n 1''d -w £ o w oS go) d 0) ^ ^ $ iw53 bO G a> Si 5 w o
61 Stat. 3301, T.X.A.S. No. 1605s Congress approved rhe Trusteeship Agreement on July 18, 1947 by Joint Resolution. H.J.Res. 233, 61 Stat. 397 (1947).
President Truman initially delegated administrativa responsibility for the Trust Territory civilian government to the Secretary of the Navy pursuant to Executive Order No. 9875. In 1951, this authority was transferred to the Secretary of the Interior• under Executive Order No. 10265. 16 Fed.Reg. 6419 (1951), reprinted in 1951 U.S. Code Cong. & Ad. News 1053. Pursuant to Executive Order No. 10408, 17 Fed.Reg. 10277 (1952), reprinted in 1952 U.S. Code Cong. & Ad.News 1105 snc Executive Order No. 10470, 18 Fed.Reg. 4231 (1953), reprinted in 1953 U.S. Code Cong. & Ad.News 1030, the Navy was again delegated authority over what Is how known as the Northern Mariana Islands, with the exception of Rota, authority over which remained with the Secretary of the Interior.
Exec.Order No. 11021, 27 Fed.Reg. 4409 (1962), reprinted in 1962 U.S. Code Cong. & Ad.News 4338. '
Initially, the High Commissioner was appointed and served at the will of the Secretary of the Interior. Since 1967, the High Commissioner has been appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate pursuant to 48 U.S.C. §1681 (a); the Interior Secretary retains authority over the justices of the High Court. See Temengil I, 33 FEP Cases 1033 n.22.
See Temengil I, 33 FEP Cases at 1033 notes 24-25 and accompanying text.
See generally, A. Leibowitz, The Marianas Covenant Negotiations , 4 Fordham Int'1. L.J. 19, 19-22 (1981)(Leibowitn); FT Leary, The Northern Marianas Covenant and American Territorial Relations, Institute of Governmental Studies Research. Report 80-1, 5-11 (Berkeley 1980).
P.L. No. 94-241, 90 Stat. 263, (1976) reprinted in 48 U.S.C.A. §1681 note.
Ibid.
Covenant § 1003. The Commonwealth Constitution became operative by Presidential Proclamation No. 4534. 42 Fed.Reg. 56593 (1977), reprinted in 1977 U.S. Code Cong. & Ad.News 4600. —
/ See Temengil I, 33 FEP Cases at 1033 note 28 and accompanying text.
41 Fed.Reg. 15892 (1976).
See Temengil I, 33 FEP Cases at 1036.
Repeated plans to relocate the Headquarters were never implemented. Temengil I, 33 FEP Cases at 1034.
The status negotiations for the rest of the Trust Territory resulted in the creation of three separate states: the Republic of Palau; the Federated States of Micronesia (composed of the former districts of Pohnpei, Truk, Yap and Kosrae) and the Republic of the Marshall Islands. These neviy created entities have negotiated separate Compacts of Free Association with the United States all of which have received majorities in respective plebiscites. The Compacts for the Federated States of Micronesia and for the Marshall Islands have been approved by Congress. P.L. 99-239, 99 Stat. 1<70 (Jan. 14, 1986). Palau's Compact is now being reviewed by Congress.
/ Seretarial Order No. 3039, 44 Fed.Reg. 28116 (1979). Defendant united States Memorandum in Support of Defendants" Motion to Dismiss (filed Mar. 5, 1981) at 7.
/ the parties have stipulated to a set of facts and a series of documents for the purposes of these motions. Stipulated facts will be referred as "S.F." followed by the appropriate number; likewise, Stipulated Documents will be identified by name and by "S.D." followed by the corresponding number.
/ In 1973, 41.2 of those employed in the money economy were on the government payroll. Congress of Micronesia, Five-
Executive Management Service, "Report and Recommendations on the Position Classification and Salarv Plans. 3 (1969)(OIS Report) (5. D 3TT
EMS Report, supra note 21, at 1.
Secretary of the Interior Walter Hickel, quoted in EMS Report supra note 21, at 1.
See S.S.C.REP No.5-88, 5th Cong, of Micronesia, 1st Sess. 485 (1973)(S:D.6)j see infra pp.79-82.
The concession by the Congress to enact separate compensation plans based on citizenship was not entirely voluntary. See infra p.83.
/ S.S.C.Rep. No. 5-88, supra note 24, at 491.
Ibid.
/ Ibid.
43 Fed.Reg. 49858 (1978).
/ Exec.Order No. 117 (S.D.21).
/ Exec.Order No. 118 (S.D.22).
In addition to those claims still at issue here, plaintiffs had alleged violation of 42 U.S.C. §§2000(d) et. sea. (Title VI) and 42 U.S.C. §§2000(e) et. seq. (Title VII); however, these claims were dismissed in Temengil I, 33 FEP Cases at 1028-1029.
42 U.S.C. §1981 provides:
All persons within the jurisdiction of the United States shall have the same right in every State and Territory to make and enforce contracts, to sue, be parties, give evidence, and to the full and equal benefit of all laws and proceedings for the security of persons and property as is enjoyed by white citizens, and shall be subj ect to like punishment, pains, penalties, taxes, licenses, and exactions of every kind, and to no other.
Since the equal protection analysis under the 5th and 14th Amendments is the same, this Court has previously found it unnecessary to decide which clause specifically acts as the limitation. Temengil I, FEP at 1060.
42 U.S.C. §1983 provides:
Every person who, under color of any statute, ordinance, regulation, custom, or usage, of any State or Territory or the District of Columbia, subjects, or causes to be subjected, any citizen of the United States or other person within the jurisdiction thereof to the deprivation of any rights, privileges, or immunities secured by the Constitution and laws, shall be liable to the party injured in an action at law, suit in equity, or other proper proceeding for redress.
For text of 1 T.T.C. §7 see infra p.92.
plaintiffs rely on the equal protection component of §1981 and the constitutional doctrine underlying §1983. The Supreme Court has determined that the equal protection analysis under either statute is functionally the same. General Building Contractors Ass'n. v. Pennsylvania, 458 U.S. 375, 389-390, 102 S.Ct. 3141, 3149, 73 L.Ed. 2d 835 (1982). Thus, the Court treats the two claims as one under equal protection. 617 protection.
P.L. 6-65, supra p.ll, at §§5-6. Executive Order Ko. 119, supra p.12, also at issue here, incorporates the identical language.
/ Plaintiffs' Memorandum 13.
/ Brief in Support of TTPI Defendants' Judgment 17. Motion for Summary
Ibid., at 17-19.
Note. A Dual Standard for State Discrimi- nation A~inst Aliens, 92 Harv.L.Rev. 1516 (1979); Note, Dual Standard; L. Tribe American Constitutional Law, 281-283 1977
Brief in Support of TTPI Defendants1 Motion for Summary Judgment 23.
The Trust Territory government has been found to stand in a fiduciary relationship to the inhabitants of the Micronesian islands and to ccrry the duties and obligations of a trustee to a beneficiary. See Palacios v. Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, DCA No. 81-5017, slip op. at 14 (D.N.M.I. (App.Div.) 1983).
Pursuant to Part XIV of Secretarial Order No. 2989, surra note 12, the effectiveness of the Order, including the vesting in the Congress of Micronesia of legislative authority over the Capitol District, expired pursuant to the terms of the Presidential Proclamation issued under Section 1003(b) of the Covenant. As previously noted, President. Carter issued Presidential Proclamation No. 4534 on October 24, 1977, making the Covenant sections identified in 1003(b) effective on January 9, 1978. See supra note 12.
Secretarial Order No. 3039, supra note 16, at §3(a)(8).
/ See infra pp.38-62.
/ See supra pp.7-8.
/ &emdash; Section 503(a) of the Covenant explicitly made the immigration and naturalization laws of the United States inappli-. cable to the Commonwealth. Thus, under Section 505, the Commonwealth inherited the Trust Territory immigration laws which it was free to alter. For examples of the exercise of this authority by the Commonwealth, see Sirilan v. Castro, DCA No. 83-9009 (D.N.M.I. (App.Div.) 1984)(regarding the Commonwealth's permanent residency program).
The President transferred "responsibi?ity for the administration of civil government" to the Trust Territory Govern
Supreme Court has on occasion justified its reluctance to decide immigration issues on the basis of the political auestion doctrine. Hampton v. Maw Song Wong, 426 U.S. 88, 101 n.21, 96 S.Ct. 1895, 1904 n.21, 48 L.Ed.2d 495 (1976). At issue in these cases is not an absence of subject matter jurisdiction but justiciably, which refers to a discretional deference to avoid deciding certain controversies. Justice Brennan, writing for the Supreme Court in Baker v. Carr, 369 U.S. 186, 82 S.Ct. 691, 7 L.Ed.2d 663 (1962), "set fortH some guidelines for courts to follow when asked to determine the justiciability of questions before the court:
Prominent on the surface of any case held to involve a political question is found a textually demonstrable constitutional commitment of the issue to a coordinate political department; or a lack of judicially discover*629 able and manageable standards for resolving it; or the impossibility of deciding without an initial policy determination of a kind clearly for nonjudicial discretion; or the impossibility of a court's undertaking independent resolution without expressing lack of the respect due coordinate branches of government; or an unusual need for unquestioning adherence to a political decision already made; or the potentiality of embarrassment from multifarious pronouncements by various departments on one question.
82 S.Ct. at 710. For the reasons discussed in the text, the Court does not find the challenged authority of the High Commissioner to represent a political question inappropriate for judicial review.
/ &emdash; There were 5,017 employment discrimination cases filed nationwide in the various district courts for the twelve-month period ending June 30, 1980. C. Richey, Manual on Employment Discrimination and Civil Rights Actions in the Federal Courts,~ A-l (federal Judicial Center, 1983). This number rose by 23.1 percent in 1982. Id..
42 U.S.C. 2000e-5(f)(3).
/ The Trust Territory concedes that the government objectives of the wage scales are "primarily social and economic rather than political, so that the 'political function' test... is not directly relevant." Brief in Support of TTPI Defendants' Motion for Summary Judgment 27.
The Trust Territory itself identifies other programs which distinguish between Trust Territory citizens and United States citizens. However, unlike the wage plan, these other programs offer preferences to Trust Territory citizens and would accordingly Ee more appropriately reviewed under a relaxed standard offered in Mancará. See Brief in Support of TTPI Defendants' Motion for Summary Judgment 28-29 (citing economic, housing and education programs open to citizens of the Trust Territory exclusively.)
Ibid.
/ See infra pp.93-97.
/ Brief in Support of TTPI Defendants1 Judgment 29. Motion for Summary
/ See also, Note, Dual Standard, supra note 42, at 1528
*637 ("To be sure, the alien population of a particular State may well be composed almost entirely of a single racial or national minority, and distinctions based on alienage may be used to mask discrimination aimed at such a group.")
53 T.T.C. §1 provides:
§1. Natural citizens. (1) All persons bom in the Trust Territory shall be deemed to be citizens of the Trust Territory, except persons born in the Trust Territory, who at birth or otherwise have acquired another nationality.
53 T.T.C. §1(2) provides:
(2)A child born outside the Trust Territory of parents who are citizens of the Trust Territory shall be considered a citizen of the Trust Territory while under the age of twenty-one years, and thereafter if he becomes a permanent resident of the Trust Territory while under the age of twenty-one years.
53 T.T.C. §2 provides:
§2. Naturalization; authority of High Commissioner to grant. TKe High Commissioner may grant Trust Territory citizenship to persons who:
(1) Are eighteen years of age or over;
(2) Are of good moral character, as certified by the district administrator and two leading citizens of the community in which they intend to reside;
(3) Have not acquired, or who renounce, previous citizenship and renounce allegiance to any and all foreign powers and rulers;
(4) Have been permanent residents of and legally domiciled continuously in the Trust Territory for at least five years immediately prior to application for citizenship, and
(a) Have been bom of parents, one of whom was a citizen of, and maintained his principal residence in the Trust Territory at the time of the birth; or
(b) Have been born of parents, one of whom has been granted Trust Territory citizenship pursuant to this section.
Answers to Plaintiffs' Interrogatories (filed August 15, 1983). The answer incorporates a computer print-out which lists all Trust Territory citizen employees from January 9, 1978 to August 5, 1983. All 775 employees are listed as having Micronesia as their origin. (Plaintiffs' Exh. 5 to Motion to Certify Class). Micronesians are defined as "persons whose ancestors were the indigenous inhabitants of the former districts of the Trust Territory known as the Marshalls, Truk, Ponape, Kosrae, the Marianas, Yap and Palau." (S.F.31) No statistics were presented regarding the percentage of Trust Territory citizens who are Micronesians.
/ 91 Gale, supra note 2, at 42; Spoehr. supra note 20. at -95.
/ The mandate system was the immediate predecessor to the trusteeship system of the United Nations. See generally, J. Murray, The United Nations Trusteeship System J-Í'L (1957). The Japanese received the mandate following relihquishment of their control by the Germans after World "War I. See Micronesia: Winds of Change, 436-438 (F. Hezel, S.J. Berg 4 M.L. Berg ed.f. -
/ ‘Spoehr, supra note 20, at 84.
// The amount of private land leased to the Japanese Administration has been estimated at greater than 75%. Ibid, at 86.
/ 22/ Ibid, at 87.
The attack on ¡Saipan in June, 1944, involved 127,000 American troops and 535 ships. Over 29,000 Japanese had been killed during the battle and 3,144 Americans. Accurate figures on loss to the local inhabitants is not available. Gale, supra note 2, at 41.
/ This period has been called one of "benign neglect.” Note, Self-Determination and Security in the Pacific, 9 N.Y.'J. J. Int ‘l.' L. Politics 277 , 283 (1976) (N5té';.Sglf-Detend.-' nation). The same cannot be said of the military' s invoivement. The thermonuclear tests conducted in the Marshall’ Islands destroying the ancestral homelands of the inhabitants of Bikini and Enewetak atolls are now well-known. See, e.g., People of Enewetak v, Laird, 353 F.Supp. 811, 813 (D.Hav. 1973); see also tale, supra note 2, at 283-284. In the Marianas, authority over Saipan and Tinian was transferred back to the Navy. Supra pp.4-5. During this time Saipan vas closed to visitors to allow the Central Intelligence Agency to covertly house and train nationalist Chinese guerillas. Gale, supra, at 84? Note, Self-Determination, supra, at 285. Left behind after the abandonment of the C;I.Á. camp was a S28 million headquarters complex into which the Trust Territory-administration eventually moved. Gale, supra, at 101-102.
/ D.McHenry, Micronesia: Trust Betrayed 13 (1975)(McHenry).
/ Ibid.
/ Gale, supra note 2, at 102-103.
/ Ibid., pp. 109-110.
/ Ibid..
/ See discussion of Baker v. Carr and justiciability supra
However, the Trust Territory should not be allowed to rely on its own misdeeds to justify subsequent unlawful action. Scholarly commentary notes that the policy change of the 1960's while in part altruistic, falling in line with the Democratic attitudes of the time, was more a reflection of a
This premise is by no means self-evident. The economic boom of the 1960's was largely due to the assistance of Peace Corps volunteers who were not paid a prevailing market wage. The phase-down of the Peace Corps program in Micronesia is
Hearing on Motion to Certify Class (Kov. 17, 1983)(Class Certification Hearing), Reporter's Transcript (RT) at 90; see also testimony of J. Manglona, Class Certification Hearing,~KT 50-51; Exh. 6, received at Class Certification Hearing.
See, e.g.. Plaintiffs' Answer to Defendants' First Set of Interrogatories, no. 4(e); Responses of Defendant Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands to Plaintiffs' Second Set of Interrogatories, no. 8(e)(i).
Under the proposal, local hire United States citizens were given a "Tax Relief Allowance" to offset the federal income tax paid by all United States citizens and not assessed against Trust Territory citizens. S.S.C.Rep. No.5-88, - supra note 24, at 489.
Trust Territory retained consultants Golightly & Co. noted that the phase down of local hire wage rates was adopted by the Joint Salary Task Force as appropriate "after strong statements from attorneys from both houses." Golightly & Co., Summary Report: Salary Act Review and Recommendations 8 (1975) TT975 Golightly Report).
Section 6(2) of Pub.L.No. 6-65 provides:
(2) Employees who are citizens of the Untied States and who are recruited and hired under a local-hire contract for service within the geographical boundaries and administrative control limits of the Trust Territory shall be provided the following compensation:
(a) A Base Salary, as provided in Section 4 of this act j and
(b) 80% of the U.S. Market Pay Differential as provided under Section 6(1)(b) of this act.
(c) Paragraph (b) of this subsection shall expire two years following the effective date of implementation of this act. Commencing on the date of such expiration, the Adjusted Base Salary for these local-hire contracts shall be reduced, without benefit of any phase-down schedule, directly to the Base Salary Rate only, as provided for in Section 4 of this act.
P.L. No. 6-98, effective April 11, 1976, extended the expiration date of the Salary Schedules to October 10, 1977. S.F.15. The deadline was postponed to October 7, 1978 by the enactment of Pub.L.No. 7-10. S.F.16; S.D.20(b). The enactment of Pub.L.No. 7-136 extended the life of the wage scales to February 28, 1979. S.F.19; S.D.20(a).
The legislation was introduced as H.B.7-403, 7th Cong.of Micronesia, 2nd Reg.Sess. (1978)(S.D.30).
See S.S.C.Rep. No. 7-329, 7th Cong, of Micronesia, 2nd Reg.SesST (1978)(S.D.31).
Not only does the local hire provision show the overinclu-siveness of the classification, the process involved in its adoption and the attitudes of the Administration evidenced therein demonstrate illicit motive on the part of the'Trust Territoryi See infra pp.66-88.
Section 7 of P.L. 6-65 provides:
Compensation of Third-Country Nationals. Except as provided in Section 81
(1) Employees who are citizens neither of the Trust Territory nor of the United States and who are recruited and hired under a prime contract, or under a local-hire contract for service in locations outside the geographic boundaries or administrative control limits of the Trust Territory, shall be
provided the following compensation: (a) A Base Salary, as provided in Section 4 of this act; and
(b) In cases where prevailing rates of pay in the country of citizenship are significantly higher than in Micronesia, a Market Place Différential; PROVIDED, that such a Market Place Differential shall be determined by the Director of Personnel, with the approval of the Trust Territory Personnel Board and the High Conjmlssioner, on the basis of the difference, insofar as it can be best estimated, between the prevailing rates in the Trust Territory and those in the country of citizenship. In no case shall such a Market Place Differential exceed 90 percent of the United States Market Place Differential at the same pay level and step, or exceed the percentage of the United.States Market Place Differential set forth in the following table, whichever is less:
Percent of U.S. Market Place
Differentials Country of Citizenship
Canada 6-S o
Northwestern Europe $-5 m
Australia m
Latin America fr-S ©
New Zealand Í-S o
Malaysia m
Southwest Pacific Areas (including, without limitation, the Republics of the Philippines, Korea, and China). o
/ "Northwestern European countries" is not further defined.
/ Other than the reference to the Philippines, Korea and China, "Southwest Pacific or Southeast Asian countries" is not defined.
The differential percentages were originally proposed by Golightly & Co. based upon prevailing wage rates of the listed countries. 1975 Golightly Report, supra note 82, at 13.
See Deposition of Adrian P. Winkel (4/16/81)(Deposition). Secretary Winkler stated that he wasn't "personally... familiar with the source of the data and didn't recall that any data had in fact been presented to him." Deposition 16-17. Nor was Winkel able to identify persons whom he knew to have obtained or analyzed such information. Deposition 23-24.
In calculating the market place differential, the.Golightly consultants attempted to match for each pay level the differential established by the 1973 Salary Act. Where the differential was less, the employee was "adjusted" to the next higher Base Salary Step to compensate. 1975 Golightly Report, supra note 82, at 12.
The Peace Corps was able to attract hundreds of volunt eers to Micronesia in a short amount of time. At one point it is estimated there was one volunteer for every one hundred Micronesians. McHenry, supra note 71, at 27-28.
The visiting mission included in its Report its satisfaction with the "considerable progress" which had been made in replacing • expatriate employees with Micronesians. Unfortunately, this trend did not continue throughout the decade but was in fact reversed. See infra, pp.60-61.
Supra note 20.
/ Based on figures from EMS Report, supra note 21:
Trust Territory citizens 5,000
U.S. citizen-contract 300
(U.S. Civil Service) (300) (not included in percentage calculation)
Total 5,600
/ Based on figures from Golightly & Co., Summary Report: Plan for Salary Act and Recommendations (1977)(S.D.10)(19/7 Golightly Report):
Trust citizens Oh v© VO
U.S. citizen-contract CM oo CM
Others OO oo
Total 7,049
Based on the following figures from Stipulation of fact Ho. 11:
Date Total HQ Emp. T.T. Citizens U.S. Citizens Others
1/1/78 O CO <T tH VO vo U0
1/1/79 CM «H co pH CM c* OV cn
1/1/80 r*-. CO rH «H pH \D co CO -P* 00
1/1/81 rH <3-rH CT» CO uo CM CO vO
1/1/82 m CO 00 00 rH as rH 03
11/31/82 r-CM t**» VO vj-co rH r*5 to
11/6/84 VD rH VO <r CO <j\ I — * Ov
The Trust Territory attempts to use these figures to demonstrate their good-faith phase-out efforts by highlighting only the U.S. citizen statistics which show a 98 person decrease. Brief in Support of TTPX Defendants' Motion for Summary Judgment 11. The percentage calculations demonstrate the fallacy of this assertion.
G. Gunther. The Sunreme Court, 1971 Term-Forward, 86“Hirv"nnTlev. 1, 8 (1972) ("In the.beginning of the i96(Ts, judicial intervention under the banner of equal protection was virtually unknown outside racial discrimination cases."); M._ Phillips, Neutrality and Purposiveness in the Application of Strict Scrutiny to Racial Classifications, 55 Temple L.Q. 31/, 324 (I5BZr-- - cn cn
Consider the Bakke and other opinions wherein the Supreme Court rejected rational basis review of allegedly benign classifications. See supra pp.31-32.
A similar resort to alternative legal theories was used by Chief Judge Beckham of the Northern District of California in Larry P. v. Riles, 495 F.Supp. 926, 974 (N.D.Cal. 1979).
Trust Territory concedes that Micronesians are adversely affected by the pay scales. Trust Territory Opening Brief at 20.
Seesupra note 63 for stipulated definition of "Micronesian. 668 "Micronesian.
Letter of June 26, 1979 from J. Manglona to High Commissioner (appended to affidavit of J. Manglona in support of Opposition to Motion to Dismiss).
Letter of Commissioner. November 23, 1979 from J. Manglona to High See note 106 supra.
/ See note 106 supra.
/ See Temengil I, 33 EEP Cases at 1032.
/ Trusteeship Agreement Article 5.
/ Trusteeship Agreement Article 13.
U.N. SCOR 407 (1947), reprinted in Note, Self-Determination, supra note 69, at 390.
U.N. SCOR at 409, Note, Self-Determination supra note 70 at 390. -
/ Hearings on S.J. Res. 143 Before the Senate Comm, on Foreign Relations, 80th Cong., 1st Sess. at 18, reprinted in Note, Self-Determination. supra note 70. at 390 ñ.íTT ("Hearing"}-:- —^
/ Id., Hearings at 5, Note, Self-Determination, supra note 70, at 390 n.45.
Id., Hearings, supra note 114, at 6, Self-Determination, supra note 70, at 390 n.47.
The Court takes judicial notice of the "Solomon Report". Generally, "a district court may utilize the doctrines underlying judicial notice in hearing a motion for summary judgment substantially as thev would be utilized at trial." St. Louis Baptist Temple v. F.D.I.C., 605 F.2d 1169, 1171-1172 (10th Cir. 1979); see 10A C. Wright, A. Miller & M. Kane. Federal Practice and Procedure §2723 (1983); 6 J, Moore, W, Taggart & 31 Wicker, Moore's Federal Procedure 156.11 [1-7]; 9 wigmore on Evidence §2571 (Chadboum Rev. T981). Judicial notice may be taken of documents and other forms of evidence even though not introduced by the parties. St. Louis Baptist Temple, 605 F.2d at 1172; Sierra Club v. Morton, 400 F.Supp. 610, 633 (N.D.Cal. 1975) rev'd on other grounds, 610 F.2d 581 (9th Cir. 1979), rev.'d, 531 U.S. 287, 101 S.Ct. 1775, 68 L.Ed.2d 101 (1981). Specifically, courts have taken notice or administrative reports, memoranda and other public documents. See Interstate Natural Gas Co. v. Southern California Gas Co., 709 F.2d 380, 385 (9th Cir. 1953)(Federal Power Commission
McHenry, supra note 116, at 231.
ibid.
Ibid, at 233.
/ Ibid, at 223, 235.
/ Id. at 236-237.
/ Id. at 238.
/ Id. at 233.
/ Ibid at 235.
/ Id. at 237.
Id. at 238. 127/
Id. at 238. The powers of martial law would include the authority to "assume all legislative and executive powers when the security of the US so requires."
/ Id. at 239.
Id. at 235.
of Id. at 238. The commission concluded that the costs such a plan would not be excessive.
The statistics of the period bear out this conclusion. In 1961 the budget of the Trust Territory was increased from. $7.5 miliion to $17.5 million and continued to escalate through the 1960's reaching $60 million in 1971. Metelski. supra note 76, at 166 n.20.
Secretary Hickel's statement is taken from Issue Support Paper No. 72-65-1 of the Department of the Interior, which is available in the Trust Territory Archives. The Court takes judicial notice of the document. See note 117, supra. The statement is also reprinted in part m two of the Stipulated Documents. See DOE Report, supra note 20; EMI Report, supra note 21, at FI
/ High DOE Report, Commissioner Johnson's address supra note 20 at "Conclusions." is reprinted in
S.S.C.Rep. No. 4-26, 4th Cong, of Micronesia, 4th Special Sess. 154-166 (1971). The Court takes judicial notice of the report. See note 117 supra.
/ Ibid, at 155.
The perceived need for a tax-differential was based on the federal tax obligations imposed on United States citizens whicn obligations were not applicable to the incomes of Micronesian employees. The add-on was proposed to off-set the tax burden and achieve pay parity. The size of the differential was arrived at from estimated tax calculations. The relocation differential was adopted from the existing system which allowed a differential for any employee who was assigned to a duty post other than his home district or country. The relocation differential was available to United States citizens and Micronesians alike.
See generally S.S.C.Rep. No. 4-26, supra note 135.
Ibid, at 155. The Committee alleges that the High Commissioner allowed the Congress to believe that if H.B. 57 were tabled, an equitable pay plan would be developed. Further, there is evidence that the High Commissioner testified before the United States Congress to the effect that a single salary plan would soon be implemented along the lines of Secretary Hickel's pledge. [92nd Cong., 1st Sess. House Comm. 783-786-789].
/ Ibid.
.1 See S.S.C.Rep.No. 4-10, 4th Cong.of Micronesia, 4th Special Session (1971).
.1 The Senate passed the bill on May 21, 1971. Senate Journal, 4th Cong.of Micronesia, 4th Special Sess. 97(1971) (Senate Journal). The bill was apparently adopted by the House as H.B. 57 and was sent to the Conference Committee. C.C.Rep. No. 2, 4th Cong.of Micronesia, 4th Special Sess. 168 (1971). The Conference Committee amendments apparently were approved and included in H.B. 57, since the High Commissioner saw it necessary to exercise his veto authority.
High Commissioner Communication No. 18 (7/10/71), reprinted in Senate Journal, supra note 142, at 170-171.
Interestingly, the High Commissioner chose not to exercise a line item veto.
The Congress responded with a Joint Resolution requesting the Secretary of the Interior to give the Congress override authority. S.J.R. 94, 4th Cong.2d Reg.Sess. 222 (1972).
/ S.S.C.Rep. No. 5-88, supra note 24, at 453. 1st Sess. (1973) at 453. 5th Cong.
/ j The Bureau of Personnel portrayed the administration's ustification of the uniform pay scales for United States
The Trust Territory Clause may well proscribe conduct permitted under the United States Constitution. Note for instance the express language regarding discrimination which is absent from the Fourteenth Amendment. Note also the Supreme Court's more lenient review of sex-based classifications. See Craig v. Boren, 429 U.S. 190, 97 S.Ct. 451, 50 L.Ed.2d 397 (1976).
the Trust Territory remains liable for monetary and injunctive relief, the monetary claims against the United States have been previously dismissed. Cases at 1047-1048. Temengil 1, 33 FEP CD LD
Trusteeship Agreement Article 4.
The Declaration was adopted by the United States in 1948, within a year of the ratification of the Trusteeship Agreement. See Temengil II, slip op. at 28. "The United States has frequently reiterated its acceptance of the Universal Declaration, and whatever legal character it has would bind the United States." Restatement of the Law 2d,
Generally, trustee is under an obligation to the
Reference
- Full Case Name
- EDWARD TEMENGIL v. TRUST TERRITORY OF THE PACIFIC ISLANDS JANET McCOY, High Commissioner of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR DONALD HODEL, Secretary of the Interior UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
- Status
- Published