Document: 347 U.S. 442 74 S.Ct. 650 98 L.Ed. 829 BARSKYv.BOARD OF REGENTS UNIVERSITY STATE NEW YORK. No. 69. Argued Jan. 4, 1954. Decided April 26, Mr. Abraham Fishbein, New York City, for appellant. Henry S. Manley, Albany, N.Y., appellee. Justice BURTON delivered the opinion of Court. 1 The principal question here presented is whether State Education Law,1 on its face or as construed and applied, violates Constitution United States by authorizing suspension from practice, six months, a physician because he has been convicted, in District Court Columbia, failing to produce, before Committee House Representatives, certain papers subpoenaed that committee.2 For reasons hereafter stated, we hold it does not. 2 In 1945, known Un-American Activities, was authorized make investigations 'the extent, character, objects un-American propaganda activities States.'3 1946, course investigation, committee Dr. Edward K. Barsky, appellant herein, who then national chairman member executive board Joint Anti-Fascist Refugee Committee, produce "all books, ledgers, records relating receipt disbursement money account any subsidiary subcommittee thereof, together with all correspondence memoranda communications means whatsoever persons foreign countries period January 1, March 29, 1946."4 Similar subpoenas were served secretary other members Committee. Appellant appeared Congressional but, pursuant advice counsel action his board, officers failed refused papers. 3 1947, appellant, several convicted jury, violating R.S. § 102, amended, U.S.C. 192, U.S.C.A. sentenced serve months jail pay $500. See v. Bryan, 72 F.Supp. 58; 165. 1948, this judgment affirmed Appeals, Barsky States, 83 U.S.App.D.C. 127, 167 F.2d 241, certiorari denied, 334 843, 68 1511, 92 1767. 1950, rehearing denied. Two Justices noted their dissents, two did not participate. 339 971, 70 1001, 94 1379. sentence, being actually confined five months.5 4 practiced profession under license issued 1919. However, following affirmance above-mentioned conviction, charges filed against him Department an inspector department. This done 6515 Law, seeking disciplinary subdivision 2(b) 6514 law: 5 '2. registration practitioner medicine, osteopathy physiotherapy may be revoked, suspended annulled such reprimanded disciplined accordance provisions procedure article upon decision after due hearing cases: '(b) That physician, osteopath physiotherapist court competent jurisdiction, either within without state, crime; * *.' 6 1951, filing amended answer, given extended Department's Medical Grievances. three doctors constituting made written report findings, determination recommendation, expressly taking into consideration during which had separated practice while jail, also testimony letters submitted support charcter. They recommended finding guilty charged suspending months. ten full Grievance unanimously found charged. adopted recommendation subcommittee, except that, vote four, they fixed appellant's at Promptly thereafter, Discipline Board Regents University held further person counsel. consisted lawyers one doctor. After reviewing facts issues, detailed recommending charged, merely censured reprimanded.6 Regents, however, returned sustained Grievances, months.7 7 sought review determination, supra, Article 78 Civil Practice Act, Gilbert-Bliss' N.Y.Civ.Prac., Vol. 6B, 1944, §§ 1283 1306. proceeding instituted Supreme County Albany transferred Appellate Division, Third Department. confirmed order Regents. re 279 App.Div. 1117, 112 N.Y.S.2d 778, see Miller 447, 111 393, Auslander 1101, 780, 781. judge dissenting, affirmed. 305 N.Y. 89, N.E.2d 222. allowed appeal remittitur adding following: 8 'Upon appeals herein there necessarily passed questions Federal Constitution, viz., sections applied here, are violative process clause Fourteenth Amendment. (The Appeals) rights petitioners Amendment violated denied.' 691, 773. 9 We probable Chief participating time. 346 807, 23. 10 violation jurisdiction settled. courts, argued section federal statutes crime law accordingly, 'crime' meaning 6514, subd. Law. He therefore, afford required basis license. issue settled adversely Appeals court's interpretation state statute conclusive here. 11 argues unconstitutionally vague. As interpreted provision extremely broad includes convictions State. stringent harsh but professional standard clear. discretion left enforcing defining offense. It matching measure discipline specific case. 12 A declared Congress misdemeanor. punishable fine more than $1,000 nor less $100 imprisonment month twelve note 2, supra. received sentence one-half maximum jail. There can no doubt statute.8 13 elemental power establish enforce standards conduct borders relative health everyone there. vital part state's police power. field extends naturally regulation professions concerned health. Title VIII regulates many fields including osteopathy, physiotherapy, dentistry, veterinary pharmacy, nursing, podiatry optometry. long experience supervision medical representatives exercising wide applied. established procedures investigations, hearings reviews ample opportunity accused have case thoroughly considered reviewed. 14 Section whole,9 demonstrates supervised Grievances York. present instance, obvious. real problem agencies appropriate 15 medicine lawfully prohibited conditions imposes. Such privilege granted substantially plenary fix terms admission. us questioned could condition admission applicants shall least require disclosure leave determine, fair hearing, convictions, if any, date nature justify denial light material circumstances board. 16 equally clear legitimate concern maintaining high beyond initial licensing. Without continuing supervision, examinations little protection. contends, exceeds reasonable deprives property 17 York's conviction offense involving moral turpitude10 criminal York, so far transcends State's violate disagree governmental restricted. 18 readily distinguishable would automatic termination some holder.11 Realizing importance character observance practicing physicians, flexible protect public those kinds degrees well list specifically. accordingly attain justifiable end making standards, leaving qualified determine initially offending practitioner. 19 Law thus meets charge unreasonableness. All consists licensed appointed term each years. compensation. Three 'members conspicuous standing' board's own nomination. 6515, 2. others lists nominees respectively Medical, homeopathic Osteopathic Societies. Charges must writing hears reports them. At days' notice afforded appear personally, counsel, right witnesses evidence programs participated examine produced committee. transmits report, findings transcript evidence, take testimony. determines merit and, unanimous verdict, record, committee, transmitted 'after hearing,' accept modify committee's find dismiss charges. 7. 'The grievances bound laws proceedings, founded sufficient legal sustain same.' 5. If guilty, institute proceedings returnable Division Judicial 20 above provisions, face, degree reasonableness constitute permeated responsibility 21 statutory outlined meticulously followed objection score. Appellant, nevertheless, complains contends introduced immaterial prejudicial based evidence. effect, reached 'sufficient same', exceeding authority. claims acted capriciously arbitrarily only authority depriving law. 22 courts determined constitutional question. claim alleged subversive relied upon. Emphasis placed Attorney General's Communistic organizations. To emphasize testimony, refers fact time litigation pending resulted adverse whereas subsequently set aside Court.12 answer these invited Committee.13 shows necessary papers, admissible assist determining measures recognized materiality endeavoring use Committee's charitable excuse failure 23 nothing conclusion committees arbitrary capricious irrelevant original heard indicates influenced said: 24 'We do feel now concerned, able books disclose completely philanthropic engaged activities.' 25 painstaking complete issues unbiased objectivity. Before final that— 26 'After below reversed dismissing complaint declaratory injunctive relief, McGrath, General, 341 123, 71 624, majority justices going ground kind constitutionally offer proof disproof. view decision, evidentiary weight listing General.' 27 existence valid 'no minimum censure reprimand.' With reason conclude disregarded arbitrarily, through prejudice deprived findings. accepted guilty. Then, compliance months' physician. 28 points raised finds substantial them, even assuming having although mentioned amendment remittitur. 29 30 Affirmed. 31 BLACK, whom DOUGLAS concurs, dissenting. 32 surgeon since graduation college Columbia 1919, spent doing postgraduate work Europe. Beginning internship almost continuously staff Beth Israel Hospital city birth. During Spanish War became actively needs Loyalist soldiers. doctor went over Spain head American hospital wounded. Following return organization 1942 help problems refugees Franco government. 1945 Activities began investigation spreading political propaganda. organization's summoned congressional asked contributions disbursements refused, explaining contributors relatives whose lives might endangered contributors' names out publicly. Instead, willing give information President's Relief Control Board. refusal, attorneys justified subpoena transcended powers. Concededly accord jurists throughout country.1 Moreover, advised way raise test subpoena's validity executives risk refusing requested punishment disobedience overruling arguments. denied approving disapproving contentions. 33 When released ready resume agent York2 demanding revoked. abilities surgeon. sole allegation crime—refusal Congress. authorizes revocation physician's crime. Hearings physicians much effect both skillful good citizen. No witness testified reflected personal character. Nothing proven fact, 211 Regents' reported Barsky's refusal shown desire preserve organization, involved turpitude whatever,3 already punished. itself protected country.4 But despite things giving action. 34 I regulate medicine. is, MR. JUSTICE shows, very precious liberty individual mean property. infringement our forbids deprive Accordingly, brought requirements constitution. 35 record reveals, my opinion, contravened one, possibly respects. First, used place probative attainder published General Constitution. Second, permitted tried agency vested intermingled legislative-executive-judicial powers devoid legislative guides tribunal operating ordinary safeguards decide, conceivably suspicion, whim caprice, lose licenses. 36 First. lawyer headed listed subversive. Pages pages devoted listing, arguments about innuendoes suspected communistic associations single word credible proof. Excerpts printed Appendix opinion. formal Court, unlawful, 624. My equivalent bill forbids. illegality should it. instead all. highest said list. Our broader. come unconstitutional deprivation rights, empowered 'Ever (Refugee) States.' seems perfectly natural rely list, duty up 'subversive' organizations purpose teachers, list.5 free imputations illegal alone reversal 37 Second. Even proper, still grave doubts meeting requirements. exercise executive, judicial powers.6 supervisory controls schools, school boards teachers. libraries library censor movies.7 Doctors, dentists, veterinarians, accountants, surveyors, occupational groups subject obey rules.8 example Education, investigators, detectives get develop cases doctors.9 Persons prefer testify departmental prosecutors makes recommendations reviewed another recommendations. Then themselves, apparently committees, doctors' fate. 38 whenever Whether most debasing trivial, impose mere reprimand doctor's license.10 fetter respect. And 'discretion,' all.11 Should fit let repeatedly selling narcotics patients continue same bar life minor infraction bearing whatever need reasons. Indeed wholly indefensible reasons, race, religion beliefs, effective checks decisions. 39 guess why overruled Barsky. Of possible thought every refuses practice.12 know rest Board's unproven suspicions associated Communists. latter ground, action, indicate rests will years ago theory institutions government room play purely idea man compelled life, living, essential enjoyment another, intolerable country where freedom prevails Yick Wo Hopkins, 118 356, 369 370,13 1064, 1071, 220. 40 Subcommittee great deal purposes Tartikoff, assistant attorney general representing attempted show 'Un-American' activities. tending prove allegation. Finally, Tartikoff bring 'subversive.' questioning point quoted below. 41 'Mr. Tartikoff: resuming— 42 'Q. Doctor, November 24, pursuance directive contained President classification deemed Un-American, included amongst Committee?' 43 attorney, objected brief colloquy between continues: 44 think entitled particularly activity inception down 1950 time.' discussion: 45 You document finest world. am counter fashion supposed opposite conclusion.' 46 Shortly after, Shearer, chairman, Fishbein's objection, proceeded follows: 47 48 Was listed, Barsky? A. attorney— 49 Question: listed? 'yes' 'no' answer. just like up— 50 51 'I ask direct 'no.' 52 'Chairman Shearer: 'Yes' 'no,' Doctor moment,—off record— 53 you please question? 'yes.' 54 again release May 27, 1948? really don't know. statement. 55 tell statement indicates, dispute it? certainly not, Tartikoff. 56 isn't 21, 1949, July 20, September August 5, 1950? 57 Well, additional ones added, your information. remember. 58 doctor, didn't courts? Yes, sir. 59 restrain subversive? 60 Circuit ruled 11, 1949? sir.' 61 Later, 'lay too stress made,' questions: 62 Wasn't California Activities? Committee? 63 Legislative California. California, likewise Communistic? What mean? 64 that's Tenney record—' 65 FRANKFURTER (dissenting). 66 While agreement what Court's constrained dissent unsaid. 67 Appellant's grew turn documents Chairman. us, introduce 1947 report. obviously Committee—whether crime—and Discipline, commented follows matter: 'There noted, reliance Communist furnished States. . (the 624), 69 concluded recommended, reprimanded. stating ordered came disposed 'As assertions, appellants deciding punishment, ignored weighty considerations matters proper consideration, enough say questions. *' 99, 222, 226. Thus tells 'Yes, it.' rule law, denying relief implicitly sanctions it; interests man's property, when grounds, contravenes Due Process Clause 73 widest leeway dealing interest basic well-being people. setting matter how high, practitioners, laying enforcement, strict. granting licenses curtailment entrusted sound administrative agency. fairness sense desirable temporary stated lay presumably conscientious authorities. Douglas Noble, 261 165, 169—170, 303, 305, 590. Reliance faith enforcement investiture offensive process. Likewise requires provide agencies. sort review, agency's discretion, exercised gamut choices, however extensive, relevant So concerns grant revoke license, rational relation qualifications profession. thing recognize wisely leaves regulating professions. quite thing, sanction partial destruction grounds fitness, intellectual moral, pursue Implicit qualification arbitrary, whimsical irrational considerations. cannot revoked red-headed divorced, calling, be, red-headedness unbroken marriage bearing. licensing lays bare explicitly allows act precisely Perkins Elg, 307 325, 349—350, 884, 896, 1320; Rex Northumberland Compensation Appeal Tribunal, (1951) K.B. 711. limitation restricts organ acts.' Missouri Dockery, 191 171, 53, 54, 133. 75 lengthened so-called believe felt disallows 624; Id., D.C., 104 567. Yet bears repeating ultimate voice impotent 'in consideration'. least, appears, assumed 'on contravention abstract possibility. 'punishment'—the characterized it—recommended rested considerations, appears tainted 'determination.' Since inadmissible stand. Stromberg People 283 359, 368, 532, 535, 1117; Williams North Carolina, 317 287, 292, 207, 210, 87 279. 76 authorities reconsideration views expressed. 77 DOUGLAS, BLACK Holmes, Massachusetts, coined dictum pernicious implications. petitioner talk politics,' said, 'but policeman.' McAuliffe City Bedford, 155 Mass. 216, 220, N.E. 517. By reasoning teach, filling station, grocery clerk, mine coal, tend furnace, assembly line. work. 79 work, assumed, possesses. Man indeed live, free, ideal Emerson essay Politics, 'A employed, trusted, loved, reversed.' men stay alive propertied, eat. live. better sit idle curb. values opportunities press new horizons, pit strength forces nature, match skills fellow man. 80 Holmes gives distortion Bill Rights. instrument dispensation deterrents. Certainly affirmative particular job skill occupation. Rights policemen. protected, done. give, rather away. 81 prevents employment teacher though innocent unlawful activity. Wieman Updegraff, 344 183, 215, 97 216. put lower salary scale white teachers solely Negro. Alston School Board, Cir., 992. Those illustrate significance Rights.1 82 suspended, criminal, Communist, 'subversive,' unpopular ideas belonged officer 'list.' If, reason, death flagrant understand holds things, nevertheless suspend repeat, distinction street vendors degree. knowledge biology admitted mistake concerning rights.2 away error compounded where, beliefs associations. Judge Fuld, dissenting clear, 'barren reflecting citizen, capacity past anticipated towards patients.' (305 228.) 84 Neither security her citizens justifies fundamental rights. know, disables broken bones removing ruptured appendixes, safely efficiently. unlikely uncover secrets save America opposed Spain, call halt look critically neurosis possessed us. McKinney's N.Y.Consol.Laws, c. 16, 6515. Stat. 942, 192: 'Sec. 102. Every inquiry House, joint concurrent resolution Houses Congress, willfully default, who, appeared, pertinent inquiry, misdemeanor, common months.' whole (1) (2) diffusion instigated domestic orgin attacks principle form guaranteed (3) thereto aid remedial legislation.' 91 Cong.Rec. 10, 15. carried Rules Rule XI (q)(2), 823, 828. 58, 60. related litigation, 323, 724, 884; Fleischman, 349, 739, 906; 95 817. 'Since Respondent involves inherently turpitude, impeachment Respondent's explanation (sufficient unimpeached) documents, reprimand; therefore recommend reprimanded.' Commissioner stayed time, directed third Each simultaneously confirmations 393; 781; 778; subsequent designation contempts 'crimes' 402, prevent misdemeanor statute. '§ 6514. Revocation certificates; annulment registrations '1. Whenever felony, defined sixty-five hundred article, clerk wherein takes transmit certificate Upon jurisdic- tion, department, certified copy reversal, vacate annulment. '(a) fraud deceit physiotherapy; '(c) habitual drunkard, addicted morphine, cocaine drugs similar become insane; '(d) offered, undertook agreed cure treat disease secret method, procedure, treatment treat, operate prescribe human divulge demand grievances; advertised patronage handbills, posters, circulars, letters, stereopticon slides, motion pictures, radio, magazines; '(e) undertake engage manner ways perform abortion procure performance eleven forty-two penal performed procured. '(f) directly indirectly requested, division, transference, assignment, rebate, splitting refunding fee for, profited credit valuable commission, discount gratuity connection furnishing medical, surgical dental care, diagnosis service, x-ray examination treatment, sale, rental, supplying clinical laboratory services supplies, inhalation therapy service equipment, ambulance therapeutic artificial limbs, teeth eyes, orthopedic appliances optical appliances, supplies devices drugs, medication goods, prescribed diagnosis, care chapter, payment, exceed thirty-three one-third per centum examination, facilities treatment. Sinclair 263, 299, 268, 273, 692. which, amount felony instances. Laws, 6613, 12, dentists Judiciary Consol.Laws, 30, 90, attorneys. Cf. 9, physicians. Raab, 156 Ohio St. 158, 101 294. volunteered benevolent exhibits subject. Reference subversives developed resulting cross-examination recent holding Rumely, 345 41, 543, 'fanciful factitious' First bars 'political propaganda.' historic name corporate body up. faculty students own. 201 et seq. authoritatively comply turpitude. 273. Ex parte Young, 209 148, 441, 449, 714, Oklahoma Operating Co. Love, 252 331, 335—338, 338, 340, 596. 3022. Adler 342 485, 380, 96 Art. appoint remove pleasure chief officer. These nonsalaried entirely independent Governor, elected ballot houses Legislature thirteen-year terms. 202. Executive educational system 207 provides regents functions policies, except, commissioner education, rules carrying policies state. 120 seq., 214, 219, 224, 245 704, 801 On picture censorship Joseph Burstyn, Inc. Wilson, 343 495, 777, 1098. 211, 6501—7506. optometry, podiatry, shorthand reporting, architecture engineering jurisdiction. examples entrapment investigators narrowness Weinstein 267 917, reversed, 292 682, 104; Application Epstein, 921, 295 154, 756. law-enforcement duties, plainly sense, yet virtually precluded. satisfied type regular branch barred Compare Valley Water Ben Avon Borough, 253 527, 908, Ng Fung Ho White, 259 276, 492, 938 Stock Yards 298 38, 720, 1033, Yakus 321 414, 660, 88 834. Courts' Davis Schnell, 872, 877, Mullins, D.J., three-judge district court, struck limiting voters "understand explain" Boards Registrars provision. Mullins words 'understand explain' standard. simple applicant; long, tedious, complex another; applicant examined Constitution; called entire instrument. 'To plainly, is: Has oral otherwise understood explained satisfaction board? reject depending likes dislikes understanding offered. prospective elector apply *. amounts equal protection F.Supp., 878. 336 933, 749, 93 1093. Cummings Missouri, Wall. 277, 356; Garland, 333, 366; 1064; Truax Raich, 239 33, 7, 131; Takahashi Fish Game Commission, 410, 1138, 1478. Assistant conceded Wolf, alone; unreasonable construction part.' legally respond. judges. pointed method objections judicially determined.'

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