Document: 351 U.S. 115 76 S.Ct. 663 100 L.Ed. 1003 COMMUNIST PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES of America, Petitioner,v.SUBVERSIVE ACTIVITIES CONTROL BOARD. No. 48. Argued Nov. 17, 1955. Decided April 30, 1956. Messrs.John J. Abt, New York City, Joseph Forer, Washington, D.C., for petitioner. Mr. Simon E. Sobeloff, Sol. Gen., respondent. Justice FRANKFURTER delivered the opinion Court. 1 This case is here to review judgment Court Appeals District Columbia affirming an order Subversive Activities Control Board that petitioner register with Attorney General as a 'Communist-action' organization, required by Act 1950, Title I Internal Security 64 Stat. 987, 50 U.S.C.A. § 781 et seq. That sets forth comprehensive plan regulation organizations.1 Section 2 describes world Communist movement directed from abroad and designed overthrow Government United States any means available, including violence. 7 requires all Communist-action organizations such General. If has reason believe which not registered, he 13(a) bring proceeding determine fact before Board, five-man board appointed President advice consent Senate created purpose holding hearings making determinations. 13(e) lays down certain standards Board. finds organization it enters requiring 13(g). 14 provides right file petition action in Columbia, opportunity this upon certiorari. Once registers or there outstanding final register, several consequences follow respect its members, but these need now be detailed. See §§ 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 15, 22, 25, 783—787, 789, 790, 792(a, e, g), 793, 794; 8 1424(a—c), 1427(f), 1451(c). 3 Proceeding under statute, General, on November petitioned directing pursuant Act. Petitioner sought unsuccessfully numerous motions proceedings Columbia—one reported at 96 F.Supp. 47 (Communist Party America v. McGrath)—to attack validity of, abort, hearing. The hearing began 23, 1951, three members later reduced two, sitting panel, terminated July 1, 1952. Proposed findings briefs were filed both parties, oral argument was held panel August In October 1952 issued recommended decision organization. Exceptions panel's January 1953. report, occupies 251 pages record case, 20, 4 report found existed movement, substantially described Act, organized foreign government. detailed history close relation movement. It then set illustrative evidence made statutory criteria consider 'the extent which' met them.2 conditions each paragraphs applicable On basis concluded defined 3, ordered 5 brought review. While pending, motion, supported affidavit, leave adduce additional 14(a) Act.3 motion material became available subsequent administrative would 6 'establish testimony witnesses (the Board) relied extensively heavily are key importance review, false. * summary, will establish Crouch, Johnson Matusow, professional informers heretofore employed Department proceedings, have committed perjury, completely untrustworthy should accorded no credence; least two them being investigated perjury Justice, because their character perjurors (sic) been conclusively publicly demonstrated, ceased employ witnesses.' listed number whom proposed call substantiate claim also affidavit support allegations. did deny 'Memorandum Opposition Motion Leave Adduce Additional Evidence,' signed Counsel officials Justice. memorandum asserted reopened receipt merely questioning, claimed, credibility some witnesses, issue, maintained amply apart discredited. December 1954, formally denied without opinion. full merits, same day, however, rejection petitioner's motion: 9 'The attacks presented Government. connection stresses charges false swearing. Full cross examination afforded presentation rebuttal testimony. evaluation primarily matter trier facts, reviewing court cannot disturb unless manifest error made. Moreover against said consistent masses other evidence. *' U.S.App.D.C. 66, 100, 223 F.2d 531, 565. 10 affirmed sustained contention vague irrational. had established preponderance evidence, except struck, finding secret practices undertaken promoting objectives, concealing true nature, petitioner; struck reporting government only leaders 'upon occasion,' implied constant, systematic reporting. court, Board's conclusion basic affirmed. With constitutional necessary so-called 'sanction' sections, well registration section. they therefore Board.4 11 challenge based plainly raises questions appropriate Court's consideration, so we here. 349 943, 75 872, 99 1270. At threshold are, confronted particular erred refusing return consideration new proffered affidavit. non-constitutional issue must outset, decided if calls it, reaching problems. Peters Hobby, 331, 1129. 12 considering raised denial avoid intimation issues We do intimate concluding uncontested made, inconsequential pass. No doubt large part consisted documentary However, human significant linked activities ultimate testimony, witnesses. facts bearing controversy. direct witness Crouch occupied 387 typewritten transcript; Johnson, 163 pages; 118 pages. annotated citations illustrate findings, contained 36 references 25 24 Matusow. These every eight assumed given played role even when specifically cited.5 Testimony, example, toward proving agency utilized undermine loyalty armed forces, position paralyze shipping prevent transportation soldiers war supplies through Panama Canal, Hawaii, ports San Francisco time war, deemed insignificant determination proceeding. 13 Congress conceived security existence free American institutions *.' Stat., 989, 781(15). untainted administration justice certainly one most cherished aspects our institutions. Its observance proudest boasts. charged supervisory functions federal courts. McNabb States, 318 332, 63 608, 87 819. Therefore, fastidious regard honor make doing irrational perverse claims disregard can asserted. When subversive design product perjurious does remove taint find ample innocent findings. testifying cases subject like present inevitably discredited duly take into account. pass containing challenged dispose grounds do, adjudication fair it. Since reversal thus demanded, reach issues. 15 challenging allegations rroceeding returned lies within narrow compass scope discretion passing motion. remand, reason, bases To end may hold ascertain truth allegations, discredited, record. Alternatively, choose assume and, further hearing, expunge either event, reconsider original light freed beclouds 16 reversed remanded conformity 17 Reversed remanded. 18 CLARK, REED MINTON join, dissenting. 19 provisions 1950. 1953, unanimously overwhelming weight Party) directed, dominated, controlled Soviet Union operates advance objectives movement.' 20 Nearly years later, while Appeals, 'new evidence' attacked 22 perjured themselves Kuzma, Bridges, re Burck, Weinberg. Matusow recanted his writing book entitled 'Blacklisting (or Blackmailing) Was My Business.' 21 opposed stating could 'be ignored toto remain testimonial character. still evidence.' pointed out similar For 194 cross-examination Pennsylvania Nelson, Yanish, Dmytryshyn, Eisler, Un-American Committee. 112-page likewise largely devoted various boards committees. cross-examined 810 pages, practically proceedings. As (96 565), 'Full Not little relate offered direct, introduced none refuted specific challenged. issuance 23 13, 1955, 872. relative unimportance eyes shown 131-page devotes discussion point. Party's brief 1/2 270 Still says 'erred' remands directly again refuses important relating constitutionality bulwark congressional program combat menace Communism. Believing disregards plain responsibility duty decide questions, join action. where avoided pretext. Certainly 1129, authority action, since finally disposed Here after questions. today taken delay result reaffirming advised questionable 'masses itself entirely inadequate point There offer disprove given, controverted. cites alleged conflicting. purely cumulative witnesses' mentions newspaper reports press release referring statements persons told lied. Ignoring obvious inadequacy allegation, judicial notice submitted affidavits lied during trial, Jencks Flynn. trial judge paid source recant true. Matusow's recantation denied. Cir., 226 540, certiorari granted 350 980, 467. Flynn 130 412, defendants. Two defendants testified private conversations demonstrated advocacy forcible general disturbed. clear that, special circumstances lower courts trials criminal despite retraction sworn trials. Parker, 103 857.1 But proof guilt beyond reasonable doubt. Here, required. 26 Motions 10(e) National Labor Relations 29 160(e), same. Such addressed sound Appeals. reverse more than below erred, 'must abused discretion.' Indiana & Michigan Electric Co., 9, 16, 394, 399, 579. wholly omitted different. say discretion. 27 abhor use much anyone, recognize never mere flimsily supported, considered reopening granting trial.2 makes knowingly used far too realistic contend different remand. procedural maneuver gain become effective. dragged many now, function remains suspended frustrated critical history. 28 Ironically enough, returning whose very grounds. asking refused whether power so. fairly decision. unconstitutional, declared us. not, Nation effective operation statute vital well-being passed Congress. A as: '(a) (other diplomatic representative mission accredited State) (i) controlling referred section title, (ii) title; '(b) section, branch, fraction, cell subparagraph (a) paragraph complied requirements title.' 989. defines regulates 'Communist-front' organizations, sections involved 'In determining 'Communist-action organization', shall consideration— '(1) policies formulated carried performed, directives effectuate vested, domination control exercised, direction '(2) views deviate those organization; '(3) receives financial aid, indirectly, '(4) sends representatives country instruction training principles, policies, strategy, tactics movement; '(5) representatives; '(6) principal substantial disciplinary '(7) which, direction, domination, control, expediting fails disclose, resists efforts obtain information to, membership (by keeping lists code, instructing refuse acknowledge membership, method); therein; (iii) records lists; (iv) meetings secret; (v) otherwise basis; '(8) allegiance owe subordinate obligations organization.' 999 1000, 792(e). provides: '* party apply show satisfaction material, adduced manner terms seem proper. modify taken, modified conclusive, recommendations, any, consideration. 1001—1002, 793(a). Judge Bazelon dissented ground provision violated Fifth Amendment's privilege self-incrimination compelled person signing identify himself functionary listing officers members. page 111, 576. following statement noted: herein, weighed weighing General's) (his) fall category 'informers' scrutinized accordingly; resolved inconsistencies witnesses; background organizational positions CPUSA sources knowledge; benefit Panel's observation demeanor testifying. Viewing considerations whole record, disregarding substance testimony.' Despite trial. 307 642, 59 1044, 83 1522. Term declined state convictions stronger Reynolds State Texas, 863, 102; Whitener South Carolina, 861, 101, Coco Florida, 828, 57.

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