Document: 359 U.S. 344 79 S.Ct. 838 3 L.Ed.2d 865 David H. SCULL, Petitioner,v.COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA ex rel. COMMITTEE ON LAW REFORM AND RACIAL ACTIVITIES. No. 51. Argued Nov. 18, 1958. Decided May 4, 1959. Mr. Joseph L. Rauh, Jr., Washington, D.C., for the petitioner. Leslie Hall, Alexandria, Va., respondent. Opinion of Court by Justice BLACK, announced HARLAN. 1 Scull was convicted contempt in Circuit Arlington County, Virginia, refusing to obey a decision that court ordering him answer number questions put Legislative Investigative Committee Virginia General Assembly. On appeal Supreme Appeals affirmed without opinion contended at hearings, courts below, and this statute authorizing investigation, both on its face as applied, violated Fourteenth Amendment United States Constitution. He claimed, among other things, that: (1) 'established given investigative authority, part legislative program 'massive resistance' Constitution Court's desegregation decisions, order harass, vilify, publicly embarrass members NAACP others who are attempting secure integrated public schooling Virginia.' (2) The asked his rights free speech, assembly peiti constituting an unjustified restraint upon associations with 'legal laudable political humanitarian causes.' (3) 'The information sought from (him) neither intended to, nor could reasonably be expected assist Legislature any proper function.' (4) Despite requests, repeated every stage proceedings, failed inform 'in what respect were pertinent subject under inquiry * *.' We granted certiorari consider these constitutional challenges validity petitioner's conviction. 357 903, 78 1148, 2 1154. After careful consideration, we find it unnecessary pass except last one because think record discloses unmistakable cloudiness testimony Chairman Scull, well why sought. therefore not fair opportunity, peril contempt, determine whether he within consequently conviction must fall procedural requirements Amendment. is printer calendar publisher Annandale, where has been long-time resident active religious, civic welfare groups. Soon after Brown v. Board Education, 347 483, 74 686, 98 L.Ed. 873, holding segregation schools unconstitutional, began advocate compliance case. In December 1954, group citizens met church Alexandria discuss 'the which concerned conscientious can best play helping achieve community adjustments necessary protect educational all recently defined interpreted States.' decided prepare publish through 'Citizens Clearing House Public Education' about report progress made various Parent-Teacher Associations Northern developing programs 'orderly integration.' One newsletters published obtained Fairfax Citizens' Council, vigorously opposed schools. Council republished large letter pamphlet entitled Shocking Truth!' It called attention fact newsletter being 'disseminated Box 218, Va. (David Scull),' stated 'communications N.A.A.C.P., Southern Regional House, B'nai B'rith, Human Relations, American Friends many pro-integration groups funneled membership encouraged if actually suggested P.T.A. Federation.' 4 came Delegate James M. Thomson, Law Reform Racial Activities, promptly subpoenaed appear testify. This group, commonly 'Thomson Committee,' established few months Assembly adopted resolution attacking pledging would take constitutionally available measures resist schools.1 bill setting up Committee' series relating passed same day. Among bills establishing pupil-assignment plan, providing withdrawal state funds forbidding barratry, champerty maintenance.2 While they did mention name, Thomson testified below course 'legislative battle' over them had 'this set 'we bust organization wide open." 5 appeared before Committee, ordered. answered several publishing business, then belonged 'to known County Relations.' replied 'on advice counsel I wish language subpoena delivered me so broad vague going further ask you tell specific your today, may judge pertinent.' told general subjects 'threefold': tax status racial organizations contributions them; effect integration or threat State's welfare; violation certain statutes against 'champerty, maintenance, unauthorized practice law.'3 however, 'primarily do deal you.' filed statement objections questioning emphasized 'properly informed inquiry.' Without clarifying Thomson's ambiguous specifying 'several' apply proceeded 31 listed footnote below.4 6 difficult see how some have relationship authorized investigate, possibly discover such Chairman's statement.5 does seem aimed connecting barratry champerty, but never wholly clear either questioning, far concerned. Nevertheless, cited show cause should compelled answer. 7 explain statements scope investigation. Far matter, added confusion, since successively ruled out inapplicable each investigate. first three applied testified: 8 'For my personal standpoint, say dealing taxable affect here, likewise one—I forgotten not, school systems, welfare, apply. 9 'Looking retrospect, maintenance don't recll say. specifically third one: Champerty, maintenance.' Later following colloquy took place: 10 Counsel Scull: 'Q. Now, also correct said primarily you?' 11 Thomson: 'A. If transcript says there, it. 12 Which those referring when said, 'Several you'? 13 mentioned there. (The barratry.) 14 Would just ones Scull? 15 law. 16 Those No, no; connection spoken apply; only latter making. 17 Now am confused.' 18 Subsequently, 'section testimony' identify section. Still later undertook specify section instead doing retraction whole applicable entire advised transcript.' 19 ordered no clearer their pertinence investigation basic interests than Chairman. His merely preliminary nature appears perfectly line time analyzed individual asked, explained wanted related desires. 20 events leading Scull's subpoena, him, make unmistakably Committee's touched area press, association vital importance.6 N.A.A.C.P. State Alabama, 449, 460—466, 1163, 1170—1173, 1488, held areas liberty cannot invaded unless compelling interest clearly shown.7 But reach question shows purposes inquiry, Chairman, unclear, conflicting, opportunity understanding basis justification seeking refused give. See Watkins States, 354 178, 208—209, 214 215, 77 1173, 1189—1190, 1193, 1273. To sustain circumstances send jail crime reasonable certainty know committing. often fundamental fairness requires exist. Lanzetta New Jersey, 306 451, 453, 59 618, 619, 83 888; Jordan De George, 341 223, 230, 71 703, 707, 95 886; 214—215, 217, 1194; Flaxer 358 147, 151, 191, 193, 183. Certainty more essential vagueness might induce individuals forego fear violating unclear Winters People York, 333 507, 68 665, 92 840. Such plainly case here. too wavering, confused cloudy 21 reversed remanded proceedings inconsistent opinion. 22 Reversed. Va.Acts 1956, S.J.Res. 3. generally, Va.Acts, Ex.Sess., cc. 31—37, 56—71. to: 'make thorough activities corporations, organizations, like seek influence, encourage promote litigation State. shall conduct collect evidence useful '(1) determining need, lack legislation corporations relative income laws; '(2) redefining associations, groups, above referred defining donations taxation standpoint; '(3) operation laws therewith.' E.S.1956, c. 37. Are member Relations?' National Association Advancement Colored People?' Have contributed suits, financially suits designed bring schools?' '(4) paid costs Virginia?' '(5) attorneys' fees attorneys regard involved '(6) attended meetings formulation discussed?' '(7) notice moral duty fellow citizen legal ignorant them. Do feel qualified rights?' '(8) Who else uses box (No. 218 Va.) besides yourself?' '(9) Does Relations use box?' '(10) Has used time?' '(11) Citizens number?' '(12) Federation PTA's th '(13) P-TA Workshops Decisions Schools '(14) Miss Caroline Planck Mrs. Barbara Marx '(15) Marx?' '(16) Dr. E. B. Henderson '(17) Conference Christians Jews '(18) Save Our '(19) Warren D. quenstedt '(20) A. Prichard '(21) Civil Liberties Union '(22) Americans For Democratic Action, ADA, '(23) Japanese-American League '(24) Washington Inter-Racial Workshop '(25) Service '(26) Community Social Progress '(27) Brith '(28) Communist Party '(29) belong organization, 'racial' mean whose interracial character instituting fostering litigation?' '(30) ever witness Congressional Committee?' '(31) name list subversive?' Question 28 218; 30 Committee; subversive. Nothing Act lead investigate subversive activities. 1170—1173; Rumely, 345 41, 73 543, 97 770. directly activity. 19, example Quenstedt, candidate Congress post-office box. Four adhere vi ew expressed Sweezy Hampshire, 234, 251, 1203, 1212, 1311, 'do now conceive wherein justify infringement fields.'

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