Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1951-05-27
Supreme Court Near
Summer Recess With
Few Cases on Hand
By Robert K. Walsh

awaiting written opinions, it is In
"a better position than at the
wind up session last June 5 when
lit handed down 20 opinions and
numerous orders.
But the unusual completely and
lfar-reaching implications of some
cases already argued or motions
lyet to be decided indicate the
recess may be delayed another
week. 0 : -
Communist Case Pending.
The most important of the
pending decisions involves the APP
peal of II top officials of the Com
munist Party in, the United States
from prison sentences. It also in
wolves constitutionality of the
Smith Act Of 1910 aimed at sedi-
ton and the teaching of forcible
overthrow of the Government.
The case of Judith Coplon, 90
year old former Justice Depart
ment employe, is in a different
category. In this instance the Gov
1ernment is appealing from a
United St.tes Court Of Appeals
decision in New York that reversed
her conviction and 15-year SEN
tence on charges of spying for
Russia. The appeals court declared
'her guilt is plain" but set aside
the conviction on grounds that
her arrest by FBI agents without
a warrant was illegal. The reversal
also raised the question whether
some Of the evidence against Miss
Coplon came through wire-tap-
ping and therefore was inadmis-
sible in Federal Court.
Civil Rights Involved.
If the Supreme Court tomorrow
denies review, the appeals court
ruling will stand. If it grants a
review, arguments will not be
heard until October at the ear
Hest.
Meanwhile, the United States
Court Of Appeals here has not yet
ruled on Miss Coplon's conviction
and 40-months- to-10-year SEN
Itence in District Court in June,
1949, on charges Of stealing Gov
eminent secrets.
The Coplon and Communist
Party leaders cases overshadow
several other important pending
issues under the general heading
of civil rights. although not all of
them relate to Communist activi-
ties.
Those awaiting written opinions
or review orders include such ques-
tons as: <'' ..-'
Constitutionality of Los Angeles
Ordinance requiring municipal en-
ployes to take loyalty oaths to get
or keep jobs. he* ' q
Validity Of city ordinance BAN
ming book agents, magazine sales
men and "peddlers" of any kind
from going on private property
unless they have been invited.
About 400 cities have such ordi-
nances aimed particularly at door,
to-door solicitors. 49,.
Damage Suit Principle. I'll
I Constitutionality Of q New York
State law barring Communists and
other "subversives" from jobs in
the public school system.
Right Of citizens under the Civil
Rights Act of 1871 to bring damage
suits to Federal Courts against per-
sons who allegedly interfered with
their rights to assemble for a dis
cussion of United States foreign
policy.
Right Of a grand jury witness to
refuse, on the basis of possible
/ self determination, to answer queS-
tons about the nature of his work
and the whereabouts of his friends.
The color television controversy
and the Taft Hartley Acts sec
ton on secondary boycotts are
high in the list of possible major
opinions tomorrow.
Asked to Invalidate Order.
The labor question raised by
several unions in four companion
cases throughout the country is
whether the ban on secondary
boycotts applies to- picketing.
That involves a constitutional
issue.
The television dispute centers
decide in favor of it's own color
on a Federal Communications
Commission order last November
approving the color system de-
veloped by the Columbia Broad
casting System. A three Judge
Federal Court panel in Chicago
upheld that order.
The Radio Corporation of
America asked the Supreme Court
to invalidate the FEC order and
TV method. The tribunal to-
morrow could rifle, for CHS, or for
lRCA. It.. also could send the
whole thing back to the lower
court or FEC for further study
land tests before authorizing COM
fmercial sale OF color teleyision
equipment.
A last-minute problem, but act
ually an old acquaintance in SUI
fprene Counrt proceedings, also
may produce a ruling tomorrow.
It is the latest tangle in the long
standing legal fight between the