Evening star., 1947-06-29
High Tribunal Hands Down Few History okng Decisions But Performs
Smoothly During First Year Under Chief Justice Vnson

Ills GUlplOglliEllG, ilOWGFtl.
In the field of human relations,
the Supreme Court, by five to four,
went on record that even though a
State has attempted unsuccessfully
to electrocute a prisoner, it can try
again. This case arose in Louisiana,
as a result of failure of current to
kill legally 17-year -old colored boy
named Willie Francis. He was later
sent to the chair second time
this time with lethal effect.
Murder Reviewed
The highest tribunal upheld a
Louisiana law, under which licensed
pilots on the Mississippi River near
New Orleans, used on vessels en-
gagged in foreign trade, can be drawn
largely from particular families ano
friends of older pilots. The court
held this is particular skill, with
knowledge passed down in par
ticularly select circle. Justice Black
wrote the majority decision - an.
other five-to-four ruling.
The Supreme Court attacked &
Michigan decision, which upheld {
murder conviction of an 18-year-ole
boy, questioned for several days BY
police, without being represented BY
counsel. The boy pleaded guilty tht
same day as arraigned on an in.
formation. The highest court sale
he had been denied due process Of
law and his constitutional right tt
be represented by counsel.
The treason conviction of Hans
Max Haupt, the German charged
with harboring his saboteur son. was
sustained by the Supreme Court
Haupt aided the son in getting 6
job in bombsight plant, secured ar
automobile for him and otherwise
assisted him.
The court held the treason hac
been properly proven by two wit.
nesses, as required by the Fedora
Constitution.
Search Ruling Important
Haupt was the father of Herber
Haupt, one of the eight saboteur
who landed from a German subma
rine during the recent war, and wer
convicted by a military tribuna
here and executed. The senio
Haupt was twice tried and twic,
found guilty.
In a case which is viewed will
grave apprehension in some quar-
ters, the Supreme Court decided Law
enforcement officers may arrest {
person in his apartment under {
valid arrest warrant, search tn,
premises and uncover evidence O
another crime. Chief Justice Vim
son wrote the opinion in this case
involving Georage Harris of Okla.
homa.
The court held a search inciden
to the arrest need not be confined K
the room where the accused wa!
taken into custody. Five FBI agent!
searched for about five hours anc
uncovered draft cards not related tt
the forged check for $4,000 fol
which Harris was arrested. A re.
hearing was denied by the Supreme
Court in this five-to-four decision.
In declining to consider the case
the court, in effect, upheld the con-
viction of Mayor James M. Curley
of Boston on mail fraud charges
here.
Power Refund Decided
In another case, involving the
Potomac Electric Power Co.. the tri.
bunal paved the way for the refunc
of nearly 100000 in electric light
and power charges here. The Su-
preme Court declined. to review q
Public Utilities Commission order
which had been sustained by the
lower courts.
The Supreme Court upheld the
Anti-Petrillo Gea) Act in decision
that strikes at "featherbed" con.
tracts in the radio industry.
Freedom of the press won another
victory when the Supreme Court, ir
case from Corpus Christi, Tex.
ruled publication of an editoria
criticizing lower courts decision
in civil case, prior to the hearing
of a motion for a new trial, could
not properly be punished for con-
tempt. 1t said there was no clear
and present danger shown to the
proper administration of justice.
publisher, managing editor and news
reporter were involved in this case
The highest tribunal decided five tc
four that tax funds could legally be
used to transport parochial schoo
pupils-a decision that has hae
lsse SUPREME court, Page c-55