Document: 367 U.S. 290 81 S.Ct. 1517 6 L.Ed.2d 836 John Francis NOTO, Petitioner,v.UNITED STATES. No. 9. Argued Oct. 10 and 11, 1960. Decided June 5, 1961. Mr. J. Abt, New York City, for petitioner. Kevin T. Maroney, Washington, D.C., respondent. Justice HARLAN delivered the opinion of Court. 1 This case, like Scales v. United States, 203, 1469, 782, was brought here to test validity a conviction under membership clause Smith Act, 18 U.S.C.A. § 2385. 361 813, 80 90, 4 60. The case comes us from Court Appeals Second Circuit which affirmed petitioner's in District Western York, after jury trial. 262 F.2d 501. 2 only one points we need consider is his attack on sufficiency evidence, since statutory constitutional challenges are disposed by our Scales; consideration other contentions rendered unnecessary view take evidentiary challenge. 3 In considering that challenge start premise Act offenses require rigorous standards proof. Scales, at page 230, 1487. We find record this tried before issued Yates 354 298, 77 1064, 1356, bears much infirmity found record, requires conclude evidence illegal Party advocacy insufficient support conviction. A large part adduced Government issue came witness Lautner, reading copious excerpts 'communist classics.' be sure, plentifully shows Party's teaching abstract doctrine revolution an inevitable product 'proletarian' effort achieve communism capitalist society, but testimony as happenings might have lent inference 'advocacy action' accomplish end during period indictment, 1946—1954, or itself supported such inference, sparse indeed. Moreover, there nature not broadly based, limited almost exclusively doings western more especially cities Rochester Buffalo, scene principal activities. Further, showing lacked compelling quality ante, supplied own utterances systematic course conduct high official. proceed summary testimony. 5 Dietch described mainly episodes indoctrination member Young Communist League years 1935—1938. time he knew petitioner, with whom had gone school, testified then youth, active convinced League. Apart those early years, Dietch's petitioner referred possibly relevant episode, when, 1951, obtained request two pieces special printing equipment paid $100 $200. However, episode deprived significance when it appears witness' explained him pressure bear made difficult get its done conventional commercial means. Geraldine Hicks joined 1943 F.B.I. continued involved until 1953. She connection work Chairman Erie County 1946 1950. Her related classes meetings she atended Buffalo area, where classics' were used purposes. Extensive passages these works read into evidence. also importance attributed local 'industrial concentration' recruitment workers industries well Negroes. 7 Chatley, who bus driver 1949 onwards, contacts members area. He teachings receiving solid labor unions. given various items literature History Russian Revolution Proletarian Renegade Kautsky, latter dealt been singled out condemnation because views could achieved ultimately peaceful told 'if I would re-read book(s), most my questions answered. said if any did understand happy clear them up later visit.' Perhaps significant item Chatley's interview Chatley requested hide fleeing 'what newspapers called Atom Spy Ring business.' So far reveals, plans never progressed beyond request. Federal building concentration camps: 8 '* * they ornamental 'They going fill people, starting leaders.' expected ready first people go. continue camps lot come show-down, working will stand just so much. It several result bad times, turn country Marxism Leninism. it, willing suffer anything bring glorious end.' 9 Certainly damaging Regan, government agent 1947 Buffalo-Rochester area gathered considerable information program attended meeting City creating commission Auto Workers. conference concerned penetration Workers, getting shops automobile plants State, assume positions leadership union. At date discussed plant sent City. Regan received pamphlet, dealing steel industry. pamphlet stated point: '1. Three basic industries, steel, railroad, mining. These basis (sic) National economy, all three shut down strike economy paralyzed. necessary Marxist revolutionary party rooted industries.' 11 spoke: 'He work, task build within shop specifically mentioned both Westinghouse Electric.' Another speaker 'steel industry industry, entire section depended steel.' Ct y 12 Lenin method decide upon particular dependent shop, rule upon, suspend production, job every communist know executives company, possible direct attention key department, better still, department.' 13 Several Regan's should adverted their bearing tone us. Speaking war Korea, Upstate 1950: 14 caused agressive action American troops follow Wall Street policy. break parts world. near East. 15 'Q. Is all? 16 'A. Yes.' 17 No link particularly trusted members, does appear laid club 'on railroad.' remark another lecturer 'social democrat evolutionist waited socialism through revolutions.' same recounted incident occurred class once taught Rochelle, unspecified time: 19 person class, discussing Soviet Union, asked her twenty pairs shoes Union. statement kind guy hoped shoot some day.' 20 recalled similar intemperate 1947: 21 'Lumpkin (a member) talking about visit home newspaper reporter. reporter home. They let answered questions. *' 22 'John Noto Lumpkin house. Should 'Sometime see can S.O.B. against wall him." 23 Greenberg largely upstate setting mimeographing channels cut off forced underground; witnesses briefly effect known moved Newark, Jersey, assumed name helper stockkeeper Goodyear Rubber Products Corporation factory, false Social Security number. 24 Finally, Lautner underground organization northern including participation therein charge. 25 must light favorable whether conclusion engaged 'not mere forcible overthrow, end, use language reasonably ordinarily calculated incite persons immediately future. supra, 316, 1075. said: 26 essence Dennis holding group preparation future violent action, exhortation immediate directed 'action accomplishment' violence 'a principle action,' employing 'language incitement' constitutionally protected *. quite different thing doctrinal justificatio intent punishable per se Act. That sort advocacy, even though uttered hope may lead revolution, too remote concrete regarded preparatory condemned (Dennis 341 494, 71 857, 95 L.Ed. 1137). As concurring opinions put it: 'Throughout decisions has recurred distinction between idea prompt hearers unlawful taken." Id., pages 321—322, 1078. 27 great bulk seems purview contrasted alternatives elaborated 545, 885, 1137, passage quoted. held Yates, reiterate now, theory, moral propriety necessity resort force violence, preparing steeling action. There substantial circumstantial call now sufficiently strong pervasive lend color otherwise ambiguous theoretical material regarding teaching, justify fairly imputed whole, merely narrow segment it. 28 Surely offhand remarks certain individuals hostile day shot cannot demonstrate than venomous spiteful attitude towards enemies, indicate what ever succeed power. program, detail, indeed closer criminal based. But examining that, context fails establish presently advocated overthrow future, proven. way situation acts sabotage facilitated, no advocated; present advocate conspiracy groundwork laid, element crime clause. To permit best purpose allow blur lines 29 sufficient jury's verdict lacking adequately degree. hardly defendant judged, supposed tenets Party. See 330, 1082. 30 Although renders personal further word desirable. While industrial active, alone very tend show purpose. Even enough sustain 'mere justification (even) overthrow,' 321, 1078, seem weight requirement prosecution requisite intent. crime, others, judged strictissimi juris, danger sympathy ligitimate aims organization, intending punished adherence lawful purposes, unprotected purposes necessarily share. 31 insufficiency judgment reversed. 32 Reversed. 33 BRENNAN THE CHIEF JUSTICE remand direction court dismiss indictment. For reasons expressed BRENNAN'S dissent 278, 1511, believe barred 4(f) Internal 50 783(f). dismissal required 34 BLACK, concurring. 35 1799, English Parliament passed law outlawing named societies ground traitorous Conspiracy conjunction Persons Time exercising Powers France *.'1 One many arguments opposed enactment body, Tierney: 36 'The remedy proposed goes putting together. object system, branch; right hon. gentleman intends propose laws subject, cases arise them. say attempts consequences horrible kind. acting thus. Those prove guilty, punish suspicion. swarm spies informers. pillars system government.'2 37 decision judgment, dramatically illustrates continuing vitality observation. 38 being revere d failed produce believes advocates force. told, effect, wishes convictions maintain permanent staff informers prepared give up-to-date respect policies Given fact prosecutions permitted all, do disagree wisdom Court's compel forward charges each case. think important realize overriding pre-eminence gives perpetuation encouragement practice informing—a which, fair say, always considered wise entrust security Nation. thought, still think, built foundation assure endurance without practices associated totalitarian governments. 39 join implies existence liberty efficiency Government's prefer rest concurrence reversing regard First Amendment forbids abridge rights freedom speech, press assembly. 40 DOUGLAS, 41 utterances, attitudes, associations 782 wholly subject inquiry, examination, Government. 42 reason, BRENNAN, directions George III, c. 79. complete discussion provisions surrounding enactment, dissenting Subversive Activities Control Board, 1, 151—154, 162, 1357, 1439—1441, 1445, 625. Parliamentary Debates, Hansard, 1st Series, 34, 991. Cf. De Jonge State Oregon, 299 353, 365, 57 255, 260, 278: greater safeguarding community incitements institutions imperative preserve inviolate free assembly order opportunity political discussion, responsive changes, desired, Therein lies Republic, government.'

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