Document: 342 U.S. 485 72 S.Ct. 380 96 L.Ed. 517 ADLER et al.v.BOARD OF EDUCATION CITY NEW YORK. No. 8. Argued Jan. 3, 1952. Decided March Mr. Osmond K. Fraenkel, New York City, for appellants. Michael A. Castaldi, appellee. Wendell P. Brown, Albany, N.Y., the State of amicus curiae by special leave Court. Justice MINTON delivered opinion 1 Appellants brought a declaratory judgment action in Supreme Court York, Kings County, praying that § 12—a Civil Service Law, McK. Consol. Laws, c. 7,1 as implemented so-called Feinberg Law,2 be declared unconstitutional, and Board Education City thereunder enjoined. On motion on pleadings, court held subdivision (c) 12—a, Rules Regents promulgated violated Due Process Clause Fourteenth Amendment, issued an injunction. Lederman v. Education, 196 Misc. 873, 95 N.Y.S.2d 114. The Appellate Division reversed, 276 App.Div. 527, 466, Appeals affirmed Division, Thompson Wallin, 301 N.Y. 476, N.E.2d 806. appellants come here appeal under 28 U.S.C. 1257. 2 Section hereafter referred to is set forth margin.3 To implement this law, Law was passed, adding new section, 3022, Mck.Consol. 16, which section so far pertinent margin.4 also s 3021 York.5 constitutionality not attacked proceedings below. 3 preamble 1, makes elaborate findings members subversive groups, particularly Communist Party its affiliated organizations, have been infiltrating into public employment schools State; has occurred continues notwithstanding existence protective statutes designed prevent appointment or retention office, schools, any organizations teach advocate government United States state political thereof shall overthrown force violence other unlawful means. As result, propaganda can disseminated among children those who them whom they look guidance, authority, leadership. Legislature further found such groups use their positions doctrines, are frequently bound oath, agreement, pledge, understanding follow, prescribed party line group dogma doctrine without regard truth free inquiry. This propaganda, declared, sufficiently subtle escape detection classroom; thus, menace infiltration classroom difficult measure. Finally, protect from influence, it thought essential laws prohibiting obtaining retaining rigorously enforced. It purpose provide disqualification removal superintendents teachers, employees city school district overthrow Government means like purpose. 4 3022 added provides Regents, charge system shall, after full notice hearing, make listing finds advocate, advise, teach, embrace should means, may amended revised time time. 5 will observed listings made only hearing. In addition, construed statute conjunction with Article 78 Practice Act, Gilbert-Bliss' N.Y.Civ.Prac., Vol. 6B, listed right review. 6 authorized rules regulations, provided, membership organization, 'shall constitute prima facie evidence office position system';6 but before one employee seeks severed denied employment, he likewise must given hearing privilege being represented counsel judicial review.7 above indicated, attack here. 7 first argued abridgment freedom speech assembly persons employed seeking York. 8 clear our law assemble, speak, think believe will. American Communications Ass'n Douds, 339 382, 70 674, 94 925. equally no work own terms. Public Workers Mitchell, 330 75, 67 556, 91 754. They upon reasonable terms laid down proper authorities If do choose terms, at libertyto retain beliefs associations go elsewhere. Has thus deprived assembly? We not. Such denied, question, working because, first, advocacy violence, or, secondly, unexplained organization authorities, known 9 proposition questioned Gitlow 268 652, 667—672, 45 625, 630—632, 69 1138, construing 161 Penal 40. 10 second, rather subtly suggested we follow recent decision Garner Works Los Angeles, 341 716, 71 909, 1317. there said: 'We municipal employer disabled because agency inquiring matters prove relevant fitness suitability service. Past conduct well relate present fitness; past loyalty relationship future trust. Both commonly inquired determining both high low private industry less employment.' page 720, 912. 11 adhere case. A teacher works sensitive area schoolroom. There shapes attitude young minds towards society live. this, vital concern. preserve integrity schools. That duty screen officials, maintain part ordered society, cannot doubted. One's associates, present, one's conduct, properly considered loyalty. From immemorial, reputation determined company keeps. officials teachers system, very inquire keep, know rule, constitutional otherwise, prevents state, when persons, considering associate. 12 If, procedure up person unfit disqualified thereby assembly. His choice between might limited, his assembly, except remote sense limitation inherent every choice. Certainly exercise police power pollution defend existence. 13 next provision directing regulations review accordance statute, disqualification, denies due process, fact bears relation presumed. words, advocated member knew purpose,8 presume unreasonable denial process law. agree. 14 'The presumptions either former are, course, disputable, strength inference proof another depends generality experience founded. * 15 'Legislation providing main issue enact rule evidence, quite within general government. Statutes, national dealing methods civil criminal cases, abound, decisions upholding numerous.' Mobile, J. & K.C.R. Co. Turnipseed, 219 35 42, 31 136, 137, 55 78. 16 Membership legislative finding supports thing stands for, namely, say contrary 'generality experience' points different conclusion. Disqualification follows therefore presumption support. Nor problem procedural process. conclusive arises where against arise opportunity rebut it. holding below significant regard: disqualification' employment. But, said Potts Pardee, 220 431, 433, 116 N.E. 78, 79, A.L.R. 785: growing out case remains long substantial contrary. When offered disappears, and, unless met proof, nothing justify based solely it.' Thus phrase 'prima used imports afforded sanctioned provision. Once received, however, official order ineligibility thereafter burden sustaining validity fair preponderance evidence. subd. (d). Should then issue, aggrieved avail himself provisions last cited above. view question process.' 494, 806, 814. 17 Where, here, direct conclusive, requirements satisfied. 18 Without raising complaint lower courts urge unconstitutionally vague. us. pass had so. Asbury Hospital Cass 326 207, 213—216, 66 61, 64, 65, 90 6; Alabama Federation Labor McAdory, 325 450, 460—462, 65 1384, 1389, 1390, 89 1725; Plymouth Coal Com. Pennsylvania, 232 531, 546, 34 359, 363, 58 713. 19 word 'subversive' vague indefinite. But definitive thereof. definite meaning, teaches advocates violence. 20 find infirmity it, affirmed. 21 Affirmed. 22 BLACK, dissenting. 23 While I fully agree dissent DOUGLAS, importance prompts me add these thoughts. 24 rapidly multiplying enactments dangerous—this teachers—to anything what transient majority happen approve moment. Basically rest belief supervise limit flow ideas men. tendency governmental policy mould people common intellectual pattern. Quite rests mind spirit man absolutely free. encourages varied outlooks best views prevail. my embodied First Amendment applicable states Fourteenth. Because constitutionally vested powers select about, censor express, associate with. servants; masters. 25 Court's effectively penalizes thoughts associates. 26 FRANKFURTER, 27 asked scheme counteract currently called influences formulated partly administrative all still unfinished blueprint. adjudicate claims put operation, limits imposes inquiry association, scope scrutiny sanctions, safeguards implied enforcement authoritatively defined. teaching history avoid adjudications merely abstract speculative issues base concreteness actual, defined controversy, appropriate judgment, adversaries immediately affected settled jurisdiction would dismiss appeal. An statutory taken necessary consideration control disposition case, standing parties ripeness question. 29 enactment 1949 precipitated litigation. legislation tied prior statutes. By 1917 'treasonable seditious' utterances acts barred 3021. 1939 service educational anyone force, publishes material advocating organizes joins doctrine. a. sufficient accuracy included detailed charges. 30 During thirty-two years ten years, respectively, stood books, proceedings, appears, them. passed act, familiarly reinforce legislation. begins finding, 'common report' widespread 'members communist certain organizations,' evils attendant infiltration. takes note existing exhorts greater endeavor enforcement. lodged extensive over York's charged duties: (1) promulgate more stringent law; 32 (2) list 'after inquiry, appropriate' proscribed subsection 33 (3) 12—a; (4) report specially detail legislature each year measures laws. Accordingly, adopted ferreting violations 12—a. machinery annual reports discovering sections assuring discovery. announced intention publish required significance employee's therein dismissal. These were published accompanying Memorandum Commissioner Education. He head guidance throughout State. warned danger indiscriminate careless Regents' Rules, duty: primary take positive eliminate whose guilty activity. School obligation proceed conclusively case.' 36 appear record; occasion refer later relevance decided Our attention elaborates teachers. whether gone effect. event record 37 appears complicated engage kind system. aligned complex investigation, reporting organizations. All related procedures reviewing charges misconduct employees, modified Rules. 38 intricate yet motion. Enforcement abeyance since suit, others, enjoin taking steps spending funds theory transgressed various limitations Constitution places States. comes bare bones flesh wholly pleadings: complaint, identifying plaintiffs interests, setting offending concluding argumentative fashion violate numerous rights plaintiffs; answer, denying impact unconstitutional interest support suit. pleadings summary favor some granted 114; reversed Second Department direction dismissed, Division. opinions basis decide 39 About forty initially; trial dismissed eight. 877, others sue eight alleged taxpayers empowered, virtue N.Y.Gen.Municipal 51, McK.Consol.Laws, 24, bring suit agencies waste funds. determine how invoked. course confer Court, limited construction III Constitution. entertain, again recognize day, claim instance undifferentiated mass fellow citizens. Doremus 429, 394. 'pocketbook action.' possibly way claim. will, if left free, divert effort purposes review, though much leads merest conjecture. total expenditure, certainly Act de minimis. rate attempted show expenditure taxes contribute. short, neither nor shown tender slightest effect tax bills even aggregate bill City's represent. improbability able demonstration, circumstances does dispense jurisdiction. incidence taxation factors consideration, precisely why 40 ends matter Krieger Newman. six advanced grounds than bringing action. Two parents Four us claims, too, insufficient, controlling adjudications, 41 interests inconsequential. Misc., 875, Parents dislike educated feel restrained freedom. catching butterflies net try legal interest, indispensable jurisdiction, parent's desire child restrictions. hurt parents' sensibilities too tenuous inroad rightful education serve earthy stuff judicially enforceable. approach immediacy directness solidity whole adjudication deemed condition settlement issues. 42 apt contrast provided People Illinois ex rel. McCollum 333 203, 68 461, 92 648, parent did individualized palpable. imposed restrictions child's faith parent's. parental challenge courts—or least Court—educational general. closely encroachment particular arrangement protected child, furnished puts definable parents. 43 leaves Adler, Spencer, George Mark Friedlander. give see Mitchell individual sought Hatch forbidding active politics. contained recitals desire, intent specific short violation prohibited activities. See pages 87—88, 18, 563. violating guaranties speech. wanting plaintiff already standards. 44 allegations fall insufficient allege engaged suggest been, deterred supporting causes joining fear Law's interdict, generally complained group. assert threatened imminent whereby incur hazard punishment innocent time, standards satisfy permit Since rightly refused hear intimately proves anew wisdom rigorous adherence prerequisites pronouncement absence reflected atmosphere abstraction ambiguity presented. broad, generalized urged bar touch deepest democratic society: self-preservation ample individual's freedom, especially teacher's thought, expression. No probably reconciliation accommodation often conflicting interests. role necessarily carefully circumscribed. end history, developed 'a series rules' Brandeis, 'under avoided passing large questions pressed decision.' Ashwander Tennessee Valley Authority, 297 288, 346, 56 482, 80 688. 46 emphasized that, raised 'the distinction degree, reason proscribing beliefs—like restraining association—must weighed balance struck (the State) comports dictates Constitution.' 409, 689, guide notions—however uncritically extra-judicial—of real bearing activity, feeling suppose deny, professional equipment society. protecting instrument concern bristles ambiguities enter make. Of few told 488, 493, assumed contemplated Joint Anti-Fascist Refugee Committee McGrath, 123, 624, 817. requirement dismissal proceeding enlarged upon. And indicates 'knowingly holds named listing' subjected operation rebuttable presumption. 47 islands clarity. Otherwise sea. meaning attributed words two preexisting apparatus enforce. light Sedition 1798, Stat. 596, 'seditious' hardly self-defining term art. Miller, Crisis Freedom, 136—137. turn practical application particularity range activity Concern latitude phrases means' trust conditioned disbelief objective warrant. Ass'n, 415, 435, 692, 702, 925; 724, 914, cases ground limiting reach dubious formula. alternative available 48 gaps precise deepened equal uncertainties implementing Indeed, according 466. silent point. Therefore enlightenment, example, nature described matter, affecting coloring scheme. For contemplates notation turned up, demands systematic continuous surveillance investigation difference meaningless, decisive, function utterance association evil suppressed. Again, seem indicate activities enough applicants know, This, difference. supra, 729, 917 (Mr. Burton dissenting part). ascertain, continuing drawn 'in showing terminated good faith.' uninformed Commissioner's memorandum, appraise practice. formally face wanting, howsoever litigants eager pronouncements. Congress Industrial Organizations 472, 1395, 1741; Rescue Army Municipal 331 549, 1409, 1666; Parker County 338 327, 161, 144. 49 statement reasons declining sounds technical, perhaps, principles concerned Rare departures regrettable chapters wellknown instances caused great misfortune. 50 BLACK concurs, 51 accept citizen enters forced sacrifice rights.* example place category second-class citizens guarantees expression everyone entitled it; none needs teacher. 52 most respects cradle democracy. increasing seized proponents type need keeping 'subversive influences.' misconceive Indeed censorship illustrates freeing censorship. 53 proceeds principle repugnant society—guilt association. her 'subversive.' character she heard. sure, disloyalty leveled her. apparently reopened allow matter. irrebuttable hangs ominous cloud mere raises guilt. She may, said, innocence. innocence turns knowledge; witch hunt on, rely ignorance leans feeble reed. 54 threat raise havoc academic Youthful indiscretions, mistaken causes, misguided enthusiasms—all forgotten—become ghosts harrowing present. Any committed liberal cause, organized revolt hysterical trend, committee launched sponsor unpopular program becomes suspect. Communists infiltrate. Their presence infects whole, project conceived sin. caught mesh almost stand condemned. Fearing condemnation, tend shrink stirs controversy. manner stifled. connection shown, become subject formerly member, bona fide abandoned membership. inevitably spying project. Regular out. principals detectives; students, parents, community informers. Ears cocked tell-tale signs disloyalty. prejudices play searching disloyal. usual supervision checks competency; searches hidden meanings utterances. 57 What reference art socialism? Why openly hostile Franco Spain? Who heard overtones revolution English discussion Grapes Wrath? behind praise Soviet progress metallurgy chemistry class? Was cast doubt venture Korea? happens typical state. Teachers constant surveillance; pasts combed disloyalty; watched clues dangerous pall classrooms. environment. Where suspicion fills air scholars jobs, intellect. Supineness dogmatism 'party line'—as line' lays hold. orthodox view, conventional accepted approach. longer pursued impunity edges. Fear stalks classroom. stimulant adventurous thinking; instead pipe safe sound information. deadening Instruction tends sterile; pursuit knowledge discouraged; off begin. 59 think, looks shoulder. trials hand produces standardized truth. Yet protect. directly alien down. Its survival life. bold adventuresome thinking survive. producing students trained robots threatens rob generation versatility perhaps greatest distinction. Framers dogmatism; wherever lead. forget teachings sustain 60 systems country cells activities; classrooms forums propagandizing Marxist creed. guilt overt acts. So law-abiding citizen, performance meets standards, life, philosophy, social creed cause reprisals Laws 1939, 547, 1940, 564. 1949, 360. '§ Ineligibility 'No appointed division thereof, presently continued superintendents, academy normal college, institution who: (a) mouth writing wilfully deliberately advocates, advises overturned means; '(b) Prints, publishers, edits, sells, book, paper, document written printed form containing advocating, advising advises, teaches, embraces duty, necessity propriety adopting therein; '(c) Organizes helps organize '(d) ineligible four months declaration petition signed justice supreme court, had. Until final entered, stay section. consist testimony open cross-examination. credible making ineligibility.' 3022. Elimination '1. board regents adopt, promulgate, enforce three thousand twenty-one article twelve—a '2. appropriate, doctrine, board, utilize similar designations federal authority regulation executive order, request receive hereof state.' Removal treasonable seditious 'A superintendent removed doing act while position.' 254. employes. List issued. Pursuant chapter 360 list, States, Law. Evidence tenth day subsequent date promulgation presumptive continued, Official Compilation Codes, Regulations (Fifth Supp.), pp. 205—206. (d), n. 3. provided: 'In trial, representation count scrupulously observed.' 254, 1(e), p. 206. below, require knowledge. 530, 466; 754;

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