Task: songer_othadmis

What follows is an opinion from a United States Court of Appeals. The issue is: "Did the court rule that some evidence, other than a confession made by the defendant or illegal search and seizure, was inadmissibile, (or did ruling on appropriateness of evidentary hearing benefit the defendant)?" Answer the question based on the directionality of the appeals court decision. If the court discussed the issue in its opinion and answered the related question in the affirmative, answer "Yes". If the issue was discussed and the opinion answered the question negatively, answer "No". If the opinion considered the question but gave a mixed answer, supporting the respondent in part and supporting the appellant in part, answer "Mixed answer". If the opinion does not discuss the issue, or notes that a particular issue was raised by one of the litigants but the court dismissed the issue as frivolous or trivial or not worthy of discussion for some other reason, answer "Issue not discussed". If the opinion considered the question but gave a "mixed" answer, supporting the respondent in part and supporting the appellant in part (or if two issues treated separately by the court both fell within the area covered by one question and the court answered one question affirmatively and one negatively), answer "Mixed answer". If the opinion either did not consider or discuss the issue at all or if the opinion indicates that this issue was not worthy of consideration by the court of appeals even though it was discussed by the lower court or was raised in one of the briefs, answer "Issue not discussed". If the court answered the question in the affirmative, but the error articulated by the court was judged to be harmless, answer "Yes, but error was harmless". 

ROBB, Circuit Judge:
The appellant Dr. Emile Rutner is an Air Force employee entitled to veterans preference. In 1967 he applied for the position of GS-1320-15 Chemist in the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, Directorate of Chemical Sciences, a position which had been advertised under the Air Force Merit Promotion Program. Another applicant, Dr. Donald L. Ball, who was not an employee of the Air Force, was appointed. Paragraph 11 of Air Force Regulation 40-922 provides that when a person from another agency is selected in place of an Air Force employee that person must have “clearly superior qualifications,” and this fact must be documented. Dr. Rutner asked the Air Force for the documentation supporting the selection of Dr. Ball. The Civilian Personnel Officer of the Air Force responded with a summary report of findings and a decision that the evidence supported the conclusion that a clearly better qualified individual had been selected.
Having exhausted his administrative remedies Dr. Rutner filed suit in the District Court seeking the termination of the employment of Dr. Ball and asking that he himself be designated the selectee, retroactively to June 1967. After an in camera review of documents produced by the Air Force in support of its decision the district judge found that “there is a factual basis for concluding the Air Force did select a candidate with superior qualifications”. Accordingly the district judge granted the defendants’ motion for summary judgment. Rutner v. Seamans, 365 F.Supp. 651 (D.D.C.1973). Dr. Rutner appeals.
The decision of the Air Force, that the qualifications of Dr. Ball are superior to those of Dr. Rutner, is supported by substantial evidence in the open record before the District Court. The man selected was required to have an attractive personality and the ability to communicate and to deal with people. Three letters attest to Dr. Ball’s pleasing personality and ability to work in harmony with others and to communicate effectively with them. Letter, Edwards to Horney, May 1, 1967 (Rec. p. 221); letter Hughel to Horney, May 1, 1967 (Rec. p. 222); letter Robinson to Horney, May 1, 1967 (Rec. p. 224).- On the other hand a letter dated June 5, 1967 from Tanner to Horney (Rec. p. 220) describes Dr. Rutner as “contentious and pedantic” and “usually untidy, sometimes to a rather distressing extent.” On this letter Dr. Horney notes in longhand “I had 2 verbal references which confirms [sic] the above. I have known this man for years and I will leave the spot vacant before bringing him into this office.” It appears moreover that in an interview July 14, 1967 Dr. Rutner was fully informed of the basis for the decision not to select him. See letter, Horney to Rutner, March 12, 1968 (Rec. 72-74). In these circumstances a court may not substitute its judgment for that of the Air Force. See Eberlein v. United States, 257 U.S. 82, 42 S.Ct. 12, 66 L.Ed. 140 (1921); Keim v. United States, 177 U.S. 290, 20 S.Ct. 574, 44 L.Ed. 774 (1900); Jason v. Summerfield, 94 U.S.App.D.C. 197, 214 F.2d 273, cert. denied, 348 U.S. 840, 75 S.Ct. 48, 99 L.Ed. 662 (1954); Powell v. Brannan, 91 U.S.App.D.C. 16, 196 F.2d 871 (1952); Friedman v. Schwellenbach, 81 U.S.App.D.C. 365, 159 F.2d 22 (1946), cert. denied, 330 U.S. 838, 67 S.Ct. 979, 91 L.Ed. 1285 (1947).
The additional materials examined by the District Court in camera merely corroborate the evidence available in the public record. It would be frivolous in this case to suggest that the Air Force’s decision could have been materially influenced by the portion of the record which was not made public.
Since wé rest our decision on those materials which were available in the open administrative record, we have no occasion to decide whether it was proper for the District Court to rest its grant of summary judgment on materials which were not available for inspection by the plaintiff.
The judgment of the District Court is
Affirmed.
. We note also that the Privacy Act, 5 U.S.C. § 552a(k)(7) (Supp. IV, 1974) provides specific authority to withhold portions of recommendations to the armed forces received “under an implied promise that the identity of the source would be held in confidence.”

Question: Did the court rule that some evidence, other than a confession made by the defendant or illegal search and seizure, was inadmissibile (or did ruling on appropriateness of evidentary hearing benefit the defendant)?
A. No
B. Yes
C. Yes, but error was harmless
D. Mixed answer
E. Issue not discussed
Answer:

Answer: E