Johnson, Secretary of National Defense v. Nelson. Johnson, Secretary of National Defense v. Reeves

The appellees, war veterans employed by the Navy Department, sue to get back supervisory positions from which they were demoted during a reduction in force. They maintain that since their efficiency ratings were good or better, their veterans’ preference rights were violated when they were demoted-while non-veterans with equal ratings were not. 37 Stat. 413, § 4, formerly 5 U.S.C.A. § 648; 58 Stat. 387, § 2, 58 Stat. 390, § 12, 5 U.S.C.A. §§ 851, 861. Appellants rely largely on 58 Stat. 390, § 14, 5 U.S.C.A. § 863. It appears from appellees’ complaints that they have not exhausted their…