Document: 357 U.S. 399 78 S.Ct. 1317 2 L.Ed.2d 1414 Herman A. BEILAN, Petitioner,v.BOARD OF PUBLIC EDUCATION, SCHOOL DISTRICT PHILADELPHIA. No. 63. Argued March 4, 1958. Decided June 30, Rehearing Denied Oct. 13, See 79 10. Mr. John Rogers Carroll, Philadelphia, Pa., for petitioner. C. Brewster Rhoads, respondent. Justice BURTON delivered the opinion of Court. 1 The question before us is whether Board Public Education School District Pennsylvania, violated Due Process Clause Fourteenth Amendment to Constitution United States when Board, purporting act under Pennsylvania Code, discharged a public school teacher on ground 'incompetency,' evidenced by teacher's refusal his Superintendent's request confirm or refute information as loyalty and activities in certain allegedly subversive organizations. For reasons hereafter stated, we hold that it did not. On 25, 1952, Beilan, petitioner, who had been about 22 years Philadelphia System, presented himself at office response latter's request. Superintendent said he which reflected adversely petitioner's wanted determine its truth falsity. In suggestion do questioning, latter would ask one petitioner could then answer others type. Superintendent, accordingly, asked not Press Director Professional Section Communist Political Association 1944.1 Petitioner permission consult counsel answering granted 3 October 14, similar request, again office. stated consulted declined 1944. He announced also decline any other 'questions it,' this type,' political religious beliefs * *.' warned 'was very serious important matter failure questions might lead dismissal.' made clear was investigating 'a real fitness (petitioner) be continue teaching work.' These interviews were given no publicity attended only Assistant Solicitor Board. 4 November 1953, instituted dismissal proceedings against § 1127 Code 1949.2 specification need consider3 charged constituted 'incompetency' 1122 Code.4 conducted formal hearing charge. present with but testify. Counsel each side agreed issue, evidence disloyalty irrelevant.5 January 7, 1954, found charge incompetency sustained and, vote fourteen one, from employment teacher. 5 an administrative appeal, Instruction local However, appeal County Court Common Pleas, court set aside discharge held should have followed procedure specified Loyalty Act, rather than Code. Finally, Board's Supreme two justices dissenting, reversed Pleas reinstated discharge. 386 Pa. 82, 98, 110, 125 A.2d 327, 334, 340. We certiorari. 353 964, 77 1047, 913. 6 addition has comprehensive Act provides employees grounds conduct. Purdon's Pa.Stat.Ann., 1941 (Cum.Ann.Pocket Pt., 1957), Tit. 65, §§ 211—225. stresses fact him related loyalty. contends suspected invalid because follow procedure. limited proceeding even though are bound interpretation thus statutes Pennsylvania. Barsky v. Regents, 347 442, 448, 74 650, 653, 98 L.Ed. 829; Chicago, M., St. P. & P.R. Co. Risty, 276 567, 570, 48 396, 397, 72 703. Federal prohibits statutory based questions.6 7 By engaging schools, give up right freedom belief, speech association. did, however, undertake obligations frankness, candor cooperation inquiries employing examining into serve 8 'A works sensitive area schoolroom. There shapes attitude young minds towards society they live. this, state vital concern. It must preserve integrity schools. That authorities duty screen officials, teachers, their maintain schools part ordered society, cannot doubted.' Adler Education, 342 485, 493, 380, 385, 96 517. 9 As Garner Works, 341 716, 720, 71 909, 912, 95 1317, 'We think municipal employer disabled agency State inquiring matters may prove relevant suitability service.' 10 issue position challenge merely remoteness time 1944 activities. apparent circumstances ask. Petitioner's same type asked. blocked beginning inquiry activities, however upon activities—not those themselves. took care incompetency, disloyalty. insubordinate lacking frankness candor—it finding 11 find requirement classroom conduct sole basis determining fitness. Fitness depends broad range factors. tenure provision7 specifies several disqualifying grounds, including immorality, intemperance, cruelty, mental derangement persistent willful violation laws, well 'incompetency.' statute, unlike many States, contains catch-all phrase, such 'conduct unbecoming teacher,'8 cover included within more specific provisions. Consequently, courts interpretation. This Horosko Mt. Pleasant District, 335 369, 371, 374 375, 866, 868, 869—870: 12 'If she 'now commands neither respect nor good will community' if record shows effect result her clause quoted, conclusive incompetency. always recognized way command community, choice vocation deprive action enjoyed persons vocations. Educators regarded example great importance *. 13 'The term 'common approved usage'. context does limit meaning word lack substantive knowledge subjects taught. usage much wider meaning. example, 31 C.J., reference number supporting decisions, defined: relative without technical employed disqualification; inability; incapacity; ability, legal qualifications, required duty.' Black's Law Dictionary, 3rd edition, page 945, Bouv.Law Dict., Rawle's Third Revision, p. 1528, defined 'Lack ability Cases construing Words Phrases, First Series, 3510, Second 1013.* Webster's New International Dictionary defines 'want physical, intellectual, moral ability; insufficiency; inadequacy; specif., want qualifications fitness.' Funk Wagnalls Standard 'General capacity fitness, special qualities particular purpose." case, afterhours activity husband's beer garden, serving bartender waitress, occasionally drinking beer, shaking dice customers drinks playing pinball machine. Cf. Schwer's Appeal, 36 Pa.Dist. R. 531, 536. 14 instant includes 'deliberate superior vitally pertaining 91, 331. inconsistent Constitution. 15 complains denied due process sufficiently consequences Superintendent. record, second interview, specifically sufficient warning jeopardize employment. Furthermore, gave ample opportunity counsel. element surprise. 16 Our recent decisions Slochower Higher 350 551, 76 637, 100 692, Konigsberg Bar California, 252, 722, 810, distinguishable. envisioned distinguished situation now us. 558, 641, said: 17 'It thing city themselves inquire Slochower's quite another entirely events occurring federal committee whose directed 'the property, affairs, government city, official employees.' case differs materially (Garner 1317), where attempting elicit necessary employees. Here, possessed pertinent years, Professor refused admittedly purpose wholly unrelated college functions. claim bona fide attempt gain needed information.' 18 supra, pages 259—261, 726—727, stressed mere questions—rather, inferences impermissibly drawn refusal. all answer. equated 19 Inasmuch violate Constitution, judgment affirmed. 20 Affirmed. 21 concurring FRANKFURTER, see 399, 1324. dissenting Chief WARREN, 411, 1325. 23 DOUGLAS whom BLACK concurs, 24 BRENNAN, 417, 1328. 25 concurring. 26 Although I join both these cases, emphasis appropriate York Pennsylvania—for highest our purposes States—have attributing them determinations carefully avoided making. Such rest, understand it, theory although sense responsibility, determinations, attributed make distinctions law loosely infer them. 27 services terminated refusals relevant, obviously irrelevant, supervisors dependability. When discharged, labeled 'disloyal.' They governmental authorities, like employers, sought satisfy dependability relation duties. Accordingly, that, contradicted, made. balked. therefore terminated. 28 Because put general relating what compendiously called subversion proof amount disloyalty, every attribute resulting severance service deemed argument runs, essence, instances determination therefor establish To attribution State, draw inference exercise power, disallow there itself drawing, curbing through makes instrument censorship action. refusing use, am course unconcerned wisdom folly authorities. administering transportation system check foolishness unwisdom administration. standards administration relied ultimately electorate. 29 dissenting. 30 believe facts 63 compel conclusion Beilan's plea Fifth subcommittee House Committee Un-American Activities so inextricably involved decision validity consideration ground. clearest indication months following questions, retained continually rated 'satisfactory,' yet five days after appearance suspended. Since congressional employment, reverse approving dismissal. agree invalidity cured Court's 'justified' sustained. Whether first alone 'justify' decide. previously guilt rest constitutionally impermissible basis, adjudication aside, notwithstanding court's permissible bases existed rested. Stromberg People 283 359, 368, 51 532, 535, 75 1117; Williams North Carolina, 317 287, 292, 207, 210, 87 279. exceptions application principle full Nevertheless, State's too critical ignored. 32 BLACK, dissent 165 BRENNAN. 33 DOUGLAS, 34 holding Beilan subway conductor Lerner respective jobs stood silent affiliations cannot, deference, squared out constitutional principles. 35 Among liberties citizens guaranteed contained Amendment. De Jonge Oregon, 299 353, 57 255, 81 278; Murdock Commonwealth 319 105, 870, 1292; Everson 330 1, 67 504, 91 711; Staub City Baxley, 355 313, 321, 277, 281, 302. include chooses, differ neighbor, pick choose philosophy likes best, associate whomever groups prefers, privilege selecting own path salvation. succinctly West Virginia Barnette, 624, 641—642, 1178, 1187, 1628: can intellectual individualism rich cultural diversities owe exceptional price occasional eccentricity abnormal attitudes. harmless deal here, great. But things much. shadow freedom. test substance touch heart existing order. 37 fixed star constellation, official, high petty, prescribe shall orthodox politics, nationalism, religion, force confess faith therein.' 38 here belief. either employee ever committed crime, moved treasonable opposition country. mark them—if concerning Party membership. rise doubts competence trustworthiness reliability case. 39 premised person innocent until proved guilty. country have, moving away concept. generating belief anyone remains interrogated unpopular allow wrongdoing flow invocation right. let bow popular passions. know dealing wrongful indeed premise. contrary assumption, radically tradition. 40 If innocence same. areas probe. Private citizens, private clubs, deductions reach conclusions citizen disclose beliefs, philosophy, associates. business penalizing associations. here. Amendments protect against. emphasized N.A.A.C.P. Alabama, 449, 1163, protected 'compelled disclosure affiliation engaged advocacy' protection probing associations dissident group people. 41 break tradition penalize associations, most assume Communists. Yet, Wieman Updegraff, 344 183, 190, 73 215, 218, 97 216, membership 'may innocent.' member thought movement develop parliamentary aware unlawful aim, knowing embraced socialist group, tactics violence terror. Many societies, fraternities less endorsement aims. 42 compound error decisions. impute invoke rights. go further worst possible motives 43 Judge Fuld delusion nation's security advanced sacrifice individual's basic liberties. fears moment loom large, lose counter resort alien procedures denial essential guarantees.' N.Y.2d 355, 378, 161 N.Y.S.2d 141 N.E.2d 533, 546. 44 initial (see Dennis 494, 857, 1137) disregard concern actions men, opinions beliefs. Thomas Jefferson 1779: 45 '* men object civil government, jurisdiction; enough rightful officers interfere principles bread overt acts peace order.'1 46 job health, promptness, reliability, politics life. turns devotion priesthood, education, performance library, laboratory, classroom, Anyone plots moves punished. Governmentrightly it's halt people repeat, individuals judgments want. realm belief—as opposed action—is places beyond long arm government. 47 A organizing cell schoolhouse preparing sabotage plainly unfit job. records my Brother BRENNAN points out, jump short-cut procedural process. sum, bare testify; holds show posts. qualification turn solely belief—a notion war Bill Rights. 49 action, move toward concept total security. Yet totalitarian regime2—the kind profess combat. 50 instructive occasion why cases brought review. incorrectness below—and especially court—is reason discretionary power bring 'special therefor.' Sup.Ct.Rule 19(1), U.S.C.A. must, therefore, ourselves question: What character asserted justified taking review? 52 treats unreliable incompetent schoolteacher jobs. really fail take some nine justify scarcely thats displayed getting doors opened promptly station, algebra obvious stake loss positions unreliability incompetence. Rather, simultaneous labeling disloyal gives 53 publicly Americans. consequence States' devastating beside man's honor reputation indelibly stained. 'There dispute visited excluded grounds. view stain deep one; indeed, become badge infamy.' 190—191, 216. petitioners jobs, standing community undermined doubtless cost opportunities future 54 Moreover, rights warranted attention courts. generality never liberty arbitrary relations close judicial scrutiny infringes man accepted express ideas atmosphere calm decency, free dark suspicion distrust account Alamama, 1163. stand bar today, awareness implications decided. 55 voiced legislatures impressed fair carries burden proving charges preponderance evidence. Security Risk 65 P.S. 211 et seq., endeavored provide traditional Anglo-American ascertainment guilt. today finds palpable evasion play officials. refuses pierce transparent denials branded disloyal. definition pronounced dismissals Of course, accept pronounces certainly secure individual safeguards, embodied process, refuse recognize occurred. Payne Arkansas, 356 560, 844, 975; Moore Michigan, 155, 191, 167. Broad River Power South Carolina ex rel. Daniel, 281 537, 540, 401, 402, 1023. American 'Strict adherence procedures, one's being impugned, affords greatest last analysis, ultimate assurance inviolability freedoms heretofore known Country. Least all, impaired trenched shortcuts.' 99, (Jones, J., dissenting). LERNER V. CASEY 56 outbreak hostilities Korea 1950 Legislature, early next session, enacted Law, Laws 1951, c. 233. declaration legislative Korean existence 'of emergency state' members organizations presents grave peril national security.' appointing officer transfer suspend occupying 'security agency' 'upon evidence' 'because doubtful trust endanger defense nation state.' Pursuant Civil Service Commission determined 1953 Transit Authority Act. appellant Lerner, conductor, appear Department Investigation York. subsequent tend incriminate him. sent notice advising suspended 'reasonable exist your Conductor belief: (Y)ou you invoked States.' Appellant alleging, inter alia, risk statute violative dismissed contention reasoning: (1) appellant's proves candor; (2) reliability; (3) Court, discussion, follows chain reasoning. careful believe, fallacious leads result. 58 proper requires, true clarity. concerned far than, System.' is, rather, risk. difference profound, suggested, label risk' inevitably invites mind namely, words threat 59 synonymous positions—such involving access secret information, instance—an alcoholic talkative considered handled secrets. tells while work engage sabotage. Indeed, just danger motivated extending System. 60 Party. conceded properly once propriety established, Appeals treating nature irrelevant And says 'give employment.' 1316. suppose health? no, fully discharging 'untrustworthy unreliable.' hardly stretch risk.' extreme. equally expressly disavow drawing Lerner's it. Nonetheless, invoking formalized possesses terms American. devoid requisite support Tot 463, 1241, 1519. manner, gratuitously defamed, wound deeper demands, blemishing name. BEILAN BOARD EDUCATION. 61 Here also, not, opinion, decided tendered doubt meritorious review was, says, interviews. imposes restraint superior's privacy position. 62 reality interview 1952. summoned date advised questions. told Almost elapsed preferred led interval superiors twice satisfactory competency. Had seriously waited suspending actually initiated 18, self-incrimination televised Subcommittee Representatives. testified advocated overthrow Government pleaded past party Five later, 23, notified 'unsatisfactory' '(y)ou Constitution' questioned 'past loyalty' Subcommittee. viewed admission states: '(B)y concepts logic admits done something prosecuted criminally.' employer. Harmon Brucker, 579, 433, 503. legislature intended method provided (Pennsylvania) Act.' 64 pass question. sustain competent fact. announces justifying judgments. predecessor organization States. Yates 354 298, 304, note 5, 1064, 1069, 1356. Pa.Laws 1949, 1950, 24, 11—1127. infra. testify witness Activities. reports alleged 1949 earlier years. answer, relying All level. unnecessary 94, 333. suggested independent charges, Under Courts de novo dismissals. 11—1132(b). multiple dismissing board. Brown Case, 418, 565, affirming 151 Pa.Super. 522, 726, reported sub nom. Appeal Bethlehem, 565. allocation functions between agencies consider Pennsylvaia jurisdiction over State. 1952 valid causes termination contract entered professional employe negligence, derangement, wilful laws employe.' (Emphasis supplied.) amended, 16; 11—1122. contained, 'mental derangement,' clause, 'advocation participating un-American doctrines.' 14. deleted December 22, effective 463. outset hearing, stated: contention, since initiated, respondents charging completely different facts, section made, all. 'Now, concerned, sir, presentation testimony don't loyal anything counsel's advice matter, say 'So delving loyalty.' President, please, intention seeking hearing. Rhoads (counsel Board) completely.' showing discriminatorily applied. Yick Wo Hopkins, 118 356, 220; Lane Wilson, 307 268, 872, 83 1281. supra. E.g., Baldwin's Ky.Rev.Stat.Ann., 1955, 161.790(1), teacher,' 'during behavior.' Mass.Ann.Laws, (Cum.Supp., 71, 42, 'or cause.' West's Ann.Cal.Code, 13521(a), (e), 'unprofessional conduct,' 'Evident unfitness Smith-Hurd's Ill.Ann.Stat., 1946 122, 6—36, S.H.A., 'other Burns' Ind.Ann.Stat., 1948 Replacement Vol., 28—4308, Incompetency, 532. Papers (Boyd ed. 1950) analogous situation, Pope problem Parker Lester, Cir., 227 F.2d 708, 721: large protecting interest merchant seamen comparatively few number. simple sacrificing interests welfare many. weighing considerations mindful regulations sustained, Congress fears. No numerous. seaman board sink ship loaded munitions Korea, plain susceptible doubts. enginemen trainmen hauling cargo docks, railroad track bridge inspectors, switchmen dispatchers, multitude destruction. Dangerous infiltrate shipping rooms factories packed shipment inserting bombs appropriately timed explosion ship. making material armed forces sabotage, operators facilities, mention workers docks. reached age who, discipline prepared services, civilian employments well. event anticipate Balck Tom explosions waterfront, poison water systems, sand industrial machines. come abandon modeled ordained framers sworn uphold.'

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