Document: 341 U.S. 322 71 S.Ct. 758 95 L.Ed. 969 NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARDv.HIGHLAND PARK MFG. CO. No. 425. Argued April 23, 1951. Decided May 14, Mr. Mozart G. Ratner, Washington, D.C., for petitioner. Whiteford S. Blakeney, Charlotte, N.C., respondent. Justice JACKSON delivered the opinion of Court. 1 The National Labor Relations Board entertained a complaint by Textile Workers Union America against respondent, Highland Park Manufacturing Company, and ordered respondent to bargain with that Union. At all times relevant proceedings, was affiliated Congress Industrial Organizations and, while officers had filed non-Communist affidavits pursuant statute, C.I.O. at time not. statute provides 'No investigation shall be made * *, no petition under subsection (e)(1) this section entertained, issued charge labor organization (b) 160 title, unless there is on file an affidavit executed each officer such any national or international which it affiliate constitutent unit he not member Communist Party (etc.).' § 9(h) Act, as amended Management 61 Stat. 146, 29 U.S.C. (Supp. III), 159(h), U.S.C.A. 159(h). (Italics added.) order challenged upon grounds, among others, failure disabled its affiliate, Union, could entertain their enter order. 2 general counsel ruled these circumstances; but Board, one dissenting, overruled him, reasons stated in Matter Northern Virginia Broadcasters, 75 N.L.R.B. 11. Court Appeals District Columbia Circuit reached same conclusion West Texas Utilities Co. v. 87 U.S.App.D.C. 179, 184 F.2d 233. Fourth case, 98, Fifth Postex Cotton Mills, 181 919, arrived contrary result, holding complaint. conflicting results are so well-considered throughly documented opinions already appearing books little added either. We agree conclusions Circuits. 3 definition 'labor union' concededly includes It further conceded phrase scope' found 10(c) refers A.F. L. But claimed when adjectives 'national' 'international' alone added, they exclude C.I.O., because regarded circles federation rather than union. think, however, use geographic terms reach nation-wide more unions does those some particular technical structure. being admittedly union jurisdiction, operation influence, certainly speech people union, whatever internal composition. If intended have structural connotation other ordinarily accepted meaning, would should given them special meaning definition. 4 language sense consistent context purpose we defined length American Communications Ass'n, Douds, 339 382, 70 674, 94 925. As both Circuits has said, congressional 'wholly eradicate bar from leadership movement, every level, adherents party believers unconstitutional overthrow our Government.' 920; 101. require much clearer exemption justify very top levels influence actual power movement country were untouched only lower affected. 5 contention advanced administrative determination petitioning complied Act subject judicial review instance employer unfair practice proceeding. dispute whether required documents met statutory requirements resolved question favor organizations, different presented. here fact. While since affidavits, 6 strange indeed if courts compelled enforce without inquiry result proceedings that, admitted facts, forbidden conduct. agency, investigate complaints certain circumstances, final hardly valid. think merit issue law kind, goes heart validity based, open asked lend enforcement powers tribunal. 7 Judgment affirmed. 8 BLACK took part consideration decision case. 9 FRANKFURTER, dissenting. 10 Congress, course, exacted nonmembership organizations local unions, nationals internationals locals constituents, federated organizations—i.e., L.—of members. To carry out been explicit. also used colloquially all-embracing term 'national fact did employ Act. choose express will either unequivocal forms. Instead organization.' 11 organization' consists ordinary English words, ear may domain industrial relations, destroy duty determine do regard matters relations. See decision, per Holmes, J., Boston Sand & Gravel United States, 278 41, 48, 49 52, 73 170. Taft-Hartley abstract document construed aid standard dictionary. Its sponsors familiar problems doubtless drawn specialists having within field, words art, absence indications, must meaning. 12 best source us determining field relations body committed administration statute. Certainly, reasonable ground rejecting view rejected. advised art referring autonomous workers constitute 'We parent federations AFL CIO On contrary, description structure two clearly indicates organizations.' Inc., 11, 13. Nothing called attention put authoritative finding Board. ought not, therefore, reject it. 13 DOUGLAS, 14 I see answer analysis FRANKFURTER objectivity expertise agencies continue guide. In situations difficult taken construction words. Until today test own sat basis custom, practice, legislative history. Gray Powell, 314 402, 62 326, 86 301; Hearst Publications, 111, 64 851, 88 1170. 15 Of course held Optical Co., 81 453. case 'organizing committee' over control comparable international' exercises constituent unions. true directly chartered then relation dispute. A provision aimed. took, customarily do, used, hold before stands, sometimes does, position organization'—to parlance trade. us.

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