Source: https://openjurist.org/236/f2d/13
Timestamp: 2019-04-22 10:17:57+00:00

Document:
Rehearing Denied July 23, 1956.
Certiorari Denied Oct. 22, 1956.
Laughlin E. Waters, U.S. Atty., Louis Lee Abbott, Cecil Hicks, Jr., Los Angeles, Cal., for appellee.
Appellant Arthur Parisette Clark, a Service selectee, was charged with and was found guilty of and was sentenced for wilfully refusing to be inducted into the Armed Forces of the United States, in violation of the Universal Military Training and Service Act, Title 50 U.S.C.A.Appendix, §§ 4511 et seq., 462(a).2 He appealed.
We review the long chronology of events that led up to appellant's conviction.
Appellant registered with the Selective Service System on October 6, 1948, and at that time filled in Series XIV, page 7, of the Classification Questionnaire which indicated he was a conscientious objector. The Special Form, SSS 150, for Conscientious Objector was not filed. Whether he obtained one, we do not know. On October 12, 1948, the appellant-selectee was classified I-A by the Local Board and no appeal was taken.
On June 8, 1950, appellant was handed a Form 150 by the Local Board, but it was not returned. On October 3, 1950, he was found physically acceptable for service. October 4, 1950, the Board received from Chapman College a letter stating that appellant was 'regularly in attendance upon classes.' On October 28, 1950, he was ordered to report for induction on November 8, 1950. He did not report for induction. However, on November 14, 1950, the Board postponed induction until June, 1951, because of his student status.
On August 7, 1951, appellant appeared for interview before the Local Board regarding his conscientious objector claim and the Board continued him in Class I-A, and the day after sent him notice thereof. By letter received August 20, 1951 (dated August 18) appellant notified the Board that he wished to appeal his classification. Also, on August 20, 1951, the Board received from his school a College Student Certificate (SSS Form 109) showing that he was not in college attendance after June 9, 1951, and that he was in the lowest one-fourth of his class. On September 12, 1951, appellant visited the Board and examined his file and copied portions thereof at which time he mentioned that he had an attorney. On October 9, 1951, he was again classified I-A (apparently the Board did this because of the receipt of Form 109, although it did not have to) and appellant was so notified on SSS Form 110. Appellant inspected his file on October 12, and a week later informed the Board he was appealing his classification. Since he had been classified I-A on August 7, and had appealed his status, his file had been forwarded to the Appeal Board on October 16, and in turn forwarded to the Department of Justice for investigation and hearing. The Hearing Officer and the Department of Justice recommended that he be classified I-A. On June 23, 1952, appellant was classified I-A by the Appeal Board.
On July 23, 1952, he was ordered to report for induction on August 7, 1952, as a postponed registrant. A letter was received August 1, 1952, by the Board from appellant's attorney, Mr. Tietz, requesting postponement of induction. One week later, the appellant refused induction. He was reported as a delinquent and his file was forwarded to the United States Attorney. It turned out a procedural error caused the Board to take his name off the delinquent list and to reorder him for induction on September 15, 1952. Again, appellant inspected his file on the 4th day of September, 1952, and on September 15 he refused to be inducted.
On December 15, 1953, the Appeal Board classified appellant I-A. Appellant was mailed SSS Form 252, Order to Report for Induction, ordering him to report for induction on January 8, 1954. On the date specified appellant reported to the induction station but refused to be inducted, and there signed a written, dated, and witnessed statement to that effect. Prosecution followed.
First, appellant argues that he was denied due process of law because the Board failed to post the names and addresses of Advisors to Registrants as required by the regulation § 1604.41 of Title 32 C.F.R. (1951 Ed.). Mere failure to appoint advisors or the failure to post the names and addresses of advisors is not per se a violation of due process; and that lack of due process exists as to such failure only when substantial prejudice is shown. Uffelman v. United States, 9 Cir., 1956, 230 F.2d 297, and Kaline v. United States, 9 Cir., 235 F.2d 54. Appellant at the trial testified that he contacted the local board and asked the name of an appeal officer from whom he could get advice. He was given the name of an appeal officer and he contacted him. Further, appellant on many occasions inspected his file and copied portions thereof. He told the board that he had an attorney and his attorney contacted the Board. A Selective Service official testified at the trial that although no one was labeled with the title 'Advisor to Registrants', there were others in the Board's office who performed the same function. No prejudice is shown.
Appellant further argues that he was entitled to an investigation and hearing by the Department of Justice on his second and last appeal and the failure to grant him such a hearing and investigation rendered his order to report for induction void. We find this argument unsound for several reasons. We reiterate that appellant had a full and complete investigation and hearing by the Department of Justice on his first conscientious objector claim made in 1951.8 The Appeal Board had on June 23, 1952, decided against his claim and classified him I-A. On June 7, 1953, the appellant was given a personal appearance after he had been again classified I-A by the Local Board. At this personal appearance appellant offered no additional evidence on his previous claim to conscientious objector status. Rather, at this appearance he reiterated without change his previously expressed views and he maintained a lack of belief in a Supreme Being. The appeal was untimely (see footnote 6, supra).
Appellant here argues that the lapse of time since his first appeal as to his denial of conscientious objector status, is in itself a sufficient ground for requiring a new investigation and hearing. We disagree. Here, the original investigation and hearing may not have been required under the regulations. Nothing new was developed at his interview, and his beliefs were exactly the same. We do not hold that a change of belief may not come about in the passage of time, but the mere passage of time is not significant.
After the Supreme Court remanded Davidson to our court, we considered whether the selectee's claim came within the statute, and held, in Davidson v. United States, 9 Cir., 1955, 225 F.2d 836, that it did not. Certiorari was denied 1955, 350 U.S. 887, 76 S.Ct. 142. We find in the instant case no denial of due process because of the denial of the second hearing.
Next, appellant argues that he was not given a full and fair hearing before the Hearing Officer of the Department of Justice on his first claim to conscientious objector status, because the Hearing Officer withheld adverse evidence from him at the hearing. He argues that this 'tainted' report of the Hearing Officer as a result of his appearance, is not a true picture because he did not have an opportunity at that time to rebut the withheld information. He then argues that the Appeal Board, when it was considering his second claim to conscientious objector status, would take into consideration this 'old' Hearing Officer report and recommendation and, because that recommendation was 'tainted', he was thereby prejudiced. We note, first, that the appellant did not raise this point at the trial until after he had been convicted. Appellant had taken the stand to testify in his own behalf and made no mention of this supposed 'tainted' report or the supposed withholding of adverse evidence. When he did bring the matter up, he merely made a general allegation, 'I didn't receive the information that he had against me, as the Dickinson case (Dickinson v. United States, 346 U.S. 389, 76 S.Ct. 152, 98 L.Ed. 132) says is required.' No proof was offered at this time to substantiate the charge. Instead three days later, appellant submitted an affidavit in which he stated his recollection of what he had previously testified to when he first had been indicted and trial commenced before another judge. At that trial, the indictment was dismissed by the government when the trial judge ordered the production of the F.B.I. secret investigative reports.11 There is nothing in the record to enable us to ascertain whether the Hearing Officer did or did not withhold adverse information. We hold against appellant on this point.
But the controlling point here, though, is the fact that after this assertedly 'tainted' report was sent to the Department of Justice and also to the Appeal Board and a decision had been made, the appellant was accorded a second determination by the Appeal Board as to his conscientious objector claim. The purpose of giving the registrant a fair resume of any adverse information is to enable him to rebut it if he can. Simmons v. United States, 348 U.S. 397, 75 S.Ct. 397, 99 L.Ed. 453.
The Hearing Officer's summary and the Department's recommendation (as to his first claim) were placed in appellant's file on June 23, 1952. Appellant's file reveals that on June 24, 1952, appellant visited the Local Board and examined his file and copied portions thereof. Also, from appellant's own affidavit as to what occurred at his first trial (March 12, 1953) which was dismissed by the government, as explained above, it is revealed that appellant knew at least by March 12, 1953, of any adverse evidence which he claimed was withheld from him. Subsequently, the Local Board reopened the classification and appellant personally appeared before the Board. No evidence at that time was presented which would in any way rebut this supposed adverse evidence, even though at this time the appellant knew of such information. Again, the Appeal Board considered his claim, and he also had an opportunity to answer or reply to the information of which he now complains.
Appellant next argues that he did not have an opportunity to answer the adverse recommendation of the Department of Justice. This point, likewise, was not raised at the trial, nor included in appellant's Points on Appeal. We find no merit in the argument even if he were able to raise it here, since he had a second hearing before the Local Board and likewise had a second appeal to the Appeal Board. He at that time knew of the recommendation but did not rebut it. As we have seen above, he also could not be prejudiced here, either, since his 'claim' was not within the meaning of the statute. There is nothing in the record to indicate that he did or did not receive a copy of the recommendation.
'* * * but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.' Art. VI, § 3, U.S.Constitution, U.S.C.A.
Appellant argues, rather circuitously, that conscientious objectors choose prison rather than violate their principles, and thereby, as felons, are ineligible for public office. The reasoning is specious.
Exemptions rest upon the grace of the government, and not upon constitutional rights. Local Draft Board No. 1 of Silver Bow County, Montana v. Connors, 9 Cir., 1941, 124 F.2d 388; Richter v. United States, 9 Cir., 1950, 181 F.2d 591, certiorari denied 340 U.S. 892, 71 S.Ct. 199, 95 L.Ed. 647, and Cannon v. United States, 9 Cir., 1950, 181 F.2d 354, certiorari denied 340 U.S. 892, 71 S.Ct. 199, 95 L.Ed. 647.
See Berman v. United States, 9 Cir., 1946, 156 F.2d 377, 381-385, certiorari denied 329 U.S. 795, 67 S.Ct. 480, 91 L.Ed. 680, rehearing denied 329 U.S. 833, 67 S.Ct. 621, 91 L.Ed. 706.
1 June 24, 1948, c. 625, Title I, 62 Stat. 604.
2 June 24, 1948, c. 625, Title I, § 12, 62 Stat. 622.
'Series I.-- Claim for Exemption.
'(B) I am, by reason of my religious training and belief, conscientiously opposed to participation in war in any form and I am further conscientiously opposed to participation in noncombatant training or service in the armed forces. I, therefore, claim exemption from combatant training and service and, if my claim is sustained, I understand that I will, because of my conscientious objection to noncombatant service in the armed forces, be deferred as provided in Section 6(j) of the Selective Service Act of 1948.
'Series II-- Religious Training and Beliefs.
'2. Describe the nature of your belief which is the basis of your claim made in Series I above, and state whether or not your belief in a supreme being involves duties which to you are superior to those arising from any human relation.
'3. Explain how, when and from whom or from what source you received the training and acquired the belief which is the basis of your claim made in Series I above.
'4. Give the name and present address of the individual upon whom you rely most for religious guidance.
'5. Under what circumstances, if any, do you believe in the use of force?
'6. Describe the actions and behavior in your life which in your opinion most conspicuously demonstrate the consistency and depth of your religious convictions.
'7. Have you ever given public expression, written or oral, to the views herein expressed as the basis for your claim made in Series I above? If so, specify when and where.
'No, I have expressed my views to individuals, but not to groupes."
4 Not a valid practice under the decisions in White v. United States, 9 Cir., 215 F.2d 782, and Campbell v. United States, 4 Cir., 1955, 221 F.2d 454. See, also, Kaline v. United States, 9 Cir., 235 F.2d 54.
5 Personal Appearance, July 7, 1953.
The registrant was sworn in.
The registrant was asked if his beliefs had changed since his interview with the Board on August 7, 1951. He replied that he still held the same point of view, and that he still did not believe in a Supreme Being.
'Registrant was asked what he wished to discuss. He replied that he wished to become a Conscientious Objector, that he thought that war was not a good thing, that human life was most important, and that war was destroying it.
Here the registrant said that he became a member of the Unitarian Church on Easter Sunday, March, 1952, and is presently a member of that church.
'Registrant was asked if he had ever read what was required of one who intended to become a citizen of the United States, and if he just accepted his citizenship. Registrant replied, 'Well, no-- ".
At this point the Board asked if he still did not know the requirements of becoming a citizen and why he had answered 'No' to the question. He said he did not understand just what the Board meant when asked before, but that he thought he knew what was required of a citizen.
Reference was again made to the fact that he had since become a member of the Unitarian Church.
'The registrant stated that he felt that this' (self-preservation) 'was true of animals, but not true of human beings.
'Registrant was asked when he first decided to become a Conscientious Objector. The registrant replied that in the past six months he had come to the conclusion that he could not take part in taking another person's life.
'Registrant was asked if he thought anyone liked the prospect of taking the life of another, even when it seemed necessary to the preservation of our life.
'Registrant explained that he felt that human beings had reasoning power, and should solve their problems without fighting.
'Registrant was told that, inasmuch as he had stated that he did not believe in a Supreme Being, he appeared confused, that he had been a wanderer from one church to another.
Here the registrant interrupted to bring out the fact that he was not a member of the Pasadena church, but that he did participate in activities connected with the church.
'Registrant was questioned concerning his parents. He said that his mother and father were divorced, that he was living with his mother.
'The chairman of the board, Mr. Scott, said, 'I mean this kindly-- You are apparently on a merry-go-round in so far as your thinking is concerned. Do you ever talk to the pastor?"
Here the Board asked the registrant if he had ever discussed being a Conscientious Objector with anyone. The registrant said he had talked it over with Glen Smiley, who is leader of an antiwar organization called the Fellowship of Reconciliation.
'Registrant was then asked what he really was trying to bring out concerning the world situation.
'Registrant then replied that he felt that war was not the way, that we ought to be friendly to the Russians. The registrant stated that he would like to see disarmament.
'It was pointed out to the registrant that Kellogg brought about disarmament, and as a result we were in a mess today. It was suggested that the registrant read both sides of history.
When questioned again regarding his belief on these points the registrant said he does believe that we should maintain a police force. He also stated that he thinks we are in part to blame for world conditions today.
Regarding his education, the registrant said that he resumed his studies at Chapman College about two weeks ago, and that he has less than one year to finish at Chapman. He plans to teach school, he said, beginning with the elementary grades, then High School.
During the year previous to returning to school he had been working for the telephone company as a motorized messenger, the registrant added. He earned $49. a week there, he said, and was able to save a part of his earnings for his school expenses.
'Registrant was further questioned I-A by the Board, and was reminded of his Conscientious Objector's claim; that is, that he upheld the teachings of Jesus, but did not believe in a Supreme Being.
Each time when asked, the registrant insisted that his beliefs were still the same as brought out in the interview.
'Registrant was informed that in the ten years of service of the board members, he, the registrant, appeared to be one of the most confused registrants they had ever met.
'Registrant's reply was that he did not feel confused.
'It was again brought out that regisistrant had gone from one religious belief to another, and had finally come to the conclusion that he did not believe in a Supreme Being, but was still associated with a church.
'Registrant was asked if he accepted a salary in his church activity. He said that he did not, and then went on to explain that he believed in nature, and in a natural process, that he could not see a mind guiding our affairs.
'Registrant was informed that a Conscientious Objector who was sincere in his beliefs could go into the service as a non-combatant, that he could be of some use in caring for the injured, as a Chaplain's assistant, etc.
'Registrant asked for a further explanation of the world 'noncombatant.' It was explained that it meant participation in some way where the bearing of arms was not necessary.
'The registrant replied that his position was such that he would not contribute to war in any way.
'The board pointed out that anyone who was gainfully employed possibly contributed to war in some way; that is, the production of food or the production of anything might contribute indirectly, or at least might be indirectly connected with it. One had to pay taxes, also, which was a contribution to defense.
'Registrant was then asked what he honestly felt he could contribute to the world. He said that he expected to do what he could to reconcile the countries of the world.
To the last statement the registrant added that the money from the insurance policy had been spent.
'Board informed registrant that he had not convinced them that he was truly a conscientious objector, that they could see nothing but a continuation of I-A, and then informed him of his appeal right.
This concluded the reading of the minutes of the interview of August 7, 1951, and reference was again made to the beliefs of the Unitarian Church.
The board questioned the registrant as to whether or not Unitarians believe in a Supreme Being, to which he replied that some of them do and some do not believe that there is a Supreme Being. He added that Unitarianism is Humanitarian, and their main interest is in the welfare of human beings.
The registrant was also asked if it was true that the Unitarian Church has had a great number of meetings which were anti-American, pro-Russian, and that Paul Robeson sang there. Registrant replied that he does not approve of Paul Robeson, of some of the things he has done.
The Board advised registrant that he could submit any additional information for his file. Also that he would be continued I,-A by the Board, and was reminded of his right of appeal.
6 We note that under regulation § 1626.2(c)(1), in Title 32 C.F.R., appeals must be made within 10 days of the mailing of the notice of classification. No point is made of this untimely appeal.
7 See Rule 17(6), Rules of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
8 We note that appellant may not have even been entitled to this first investigation and hearing, due to the fact that his SSS Form 150, on its face, clearly showed that he was not a conscientious objector within the statutory definition because of his lack of belief in a Supreme Being.
9 This fact distinguishes our case from two cases in which it was held error to deny a registrant an investigation and hearing. See: De Moss v. United States, 8 Cir., 1955, 218 F.2d 119, reversed 349 U.S. 918, 75 S.Ct. 659, 99 L.Ed. 1251, and Bates v. United States, 8 Cir., 1954, 216 F.2d 130, reversed 348 U.S. 966, 75 S.Ct. 529, 99 L.Ed. 753. These two cases cited by appellant in his supplemental brief filed at the time of the oral argument before this court, dealt with a denial of an original investigation and hearing and in both cases the registrant's 'claim' was within the statutory definition, and the issue was the registrant's sincerity in his beliefs. That is not the situation in our instant case.
10 We mean no criticism, but merely point out that the provisions for conscientious objector classification were not met by appellant.
11 See footnote 4, supra.

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