Document: 367 U.S. 456 81 S.Ct. 1587 6 L.Ed.2d 963 Bernhard DEUTCH, Petitioner,v.UNITED STATES. No. 233. Argued March 22, 23, 1961. Decided June 12, Mr. Henry W. Sawyer, III, Philadelphia, Pa., for petitioner. Kevin T. Maroney, Washington, D.C., respondent. Justice STEWART delivered the opinion of Court. 1 Once again we are called upon to review a criminal conviction refusal answer questions before subcommittee Committee on Un-American Activities House Representatives.1 See Quinn v. United States, 349 155, 75 668, 99 L.Ed. 964; Emspak 190, 687, 997; Watkins 354 178, 77 1173, 1273; Barenblatt 360 109, 79 1081, 3 1115; Wilkinson 365 399, 567, 5 633; Braden 431, 584, 653. The petitioner was brought trial in District Court Columbia an indictment which charged that he had violated 2 U.S.C. § 192, U.S.C.A. by refusing five 'which were pertinent question then under inquiry' subcommittee. He waived jury and convicted four counts indictment. judgment affirmed Appeals, 108 U.S.App.D.C. 143, 280 F.2d 691, case here because doubt as validity light our previous decisions.2 364 812, 62, 44. A careful record convinces us should have ordered acquittal. At Government's consisted largely documentary evidence. That evidence showed conducted hearings Albany, New York, July 1953, early April 1954. not present either occasion. subpoenaed appear Albany 9, 1954, but, at request his counsel, it agreed instead three days later Old Office Building D.C. appeared there appointed day, accompanied without further ado interrogation began. freely answered all preliminary questions, revealing twenty-four years old graduate student University Pennsylvania. stated education been public schools Brooklyn, from where gone Cornell 1947 undergraduate two additional student. 4 subcommittee's counsel made following statement: 'Mr. Deutch, during last week, committee heard testimony regarding existence Communist Party group or cell operating among undergraduates University, certain graduates city Ithaca. 'In connection with testimony, informed you member one more those groups. If so, I would like ask matters relating your activity there. 7 'Were Cornell?' 8 answered, 'under protest,' indeed while Cornell.3 testified objection own activities associations. 'from age 13 14 read many books Marxism time very much impressed trying solve injustices nowadays.' said when got college 'I felt if ideas shouldn't be half pregnant about them, so came approached joined.' approach join 9 As general nature Cornell, 'about happened bull sessions Marxism, some giving out leaflet two. people met didn't advocate overthrowing Government force violence, they wouldn't allowed it.' known faculty who Communist, but this person quit Party. once received 'a personal friend,' connected faculty, $100 contribution give only Con ell that, 'head' (and lone member) 'graduate group,' attended meetings private house 'maximum 5' present. Many answers indicated lack awareness details Cornell.4 no longer Party, volunteered information '(t)o great extent is fair say am Marxist today—I don't want deny that.' 10 While petitioner's put him conduct thus fully responsive, refused asked concerning other people. declined names friend contribution, originally joining owners held. also whether acquainted Homer Owen. For these indicted, tried, convicted.5 11 reason gave can best words: 12 'Sir, perfectly willing tell my activities, do feel trade moral scruples informing someone else? * whereas contempt committee, believe people, myself. happen student—the there, organization completely defunct, individual interested wasn't even professor. magnitude really beyond reason.' chairman ruled duty nevertheless questions: 'That decision does rest scope inquiry—as individuals important now not. responsibility Representatives determine. determination cannot you. It may true whom referred However, supposition part—and accept. think advise witness—again witness—that any due desire protect friends acquaintances, legal declining being you, will counsel.' 15 In effort prove pertinence answer, offered transcripts opening statements Subcommittee Chairman Kearney 1953 1954 Velde hearing Chicago well portion transcript hearing. One witness, Activities, testified. failed charge 'pertinent appeared. 16 Chairman's statement paraphrase Committee's authorizing resolution summary past activities.6 specific purpose follows: 17 'The its course investigation, into possession reliable indicating within area. decided such character merit investigation determine nature, extent, character, objects.' 'resume morning capital area.' clear continuation open Albany' 1953. pointed 'related efforts infiltrate industry segments society 'This committee,' said, '* investigating communism field labor has substantial exists.' 18 held same 210, 1191, 1273. opinion, 'did than sketch Committee.'7 Moreover, directed primarily towards area: 'We Chicago, Ill., realizing center midwestern area States. subversive infiltration greater, nor lesser success infiltrating today culmination committee's competent staff part intention holding various parts country.' 19 witnesses hearings, John Marqusee Emmanuel Richardson, introduced trial. These showe Marqusee's related union Schenectady worked summer vacation 1948.8 York State School Industrial Labor Relations, which, testified, University. told never contact taking job. explained taken job accordance school's requirement 'that every forth securing summer, intervening summers 4-year program, union, management group, possible, neutral agency, mediation agency arbitration service.' There mention Graduate School, petitioner, testimony. 20 Richardson's Law 1950 joined Federal Bureau Investigation. named several Communists campus, including member, through else 'one hundred dollars.' Richardson length plant Syracuse 1951 1952. 21 After trial, Frank S. Tavenner, Jr., 'interrogating attorney' Washington.9 Tavenner emphasized Washington characterized what 'Capital Area." Under government witness expressly disclaimed investigate educational institutions.10 'connection between (the subject testimony) investigations entitled 'Albany, York'?' This answered. 22 On found inquiry 'the Communism fields.' 147 F.Supp. page 91. Appeals thought was. 23 cases make clear, quite different issues pertinency involved prosecution 192. issue reflects Due Process Clause Fifth Amendment topic congressional must home him. 'Unless matte undisputable clarity, investigative body, grounds pertinency, state manner propounded thereto.' pages 214—215, 1193. 123—124, 1115. stems prosecution's fact committee. 'Undeniably stand unless matter investigation.' Barenblatt, supra, 123, 1091. '(T)he statute defines crime 'any inquiry.' Part standard criminality, therefore, witness.' Watkins, 208, 1190. 407—409, 413, 433, 435—436, 653; Sacher 356 576, 577, 78 842, 987; Sinclair 279 263, 296—297, 49 268, 73 692. basically blurred treating them single 'pertinency.' 24 With regard first issue, evident aware questioned how subject. statement, testify. creating revealed nothing. merely creation act Committee. simply advised previously proposed 'certain there.' When explanation forthcoming. 25 evident, however, thoughts voiced hardly considered equivalent pertinency. Although did indicate importance main concern clearly conscientious unwillingness informer. considered, objections 'adequate, meaning 1193—1194, trigger Subcommittee's reciprocal obligation faced objection.' 124, 26 We need pursue matter, because, event, carry burden proving questions. Bowers 92 79, 202 447, 452. step component offense show inquiry. 407, 633. above, subcommittees tended 'capital' area, particularly labor.11 presented disavowed implication institutions generally. 27 Yet obviously nothing unions. seriously contended Indeed, take judicial notice Ithaca sixty-five miles entirely economic geographic York. So far shows, knew them. possible school Albany. cooperative except others, wished respect subjects. established addition testifying unions willingly led others Cornell. But excursion justify disregard proof actually us. is. 28 enacting Congress invoked aid federal system itself contumacious conduct. 207, 1173. fulfillment their statute, courts accord defendants right guaranteed cases.' Id., 1189. 'One rightful boasts Western civilization (prosecution) establishing guilt solely basis produced court circumstances assuring accused safeguards procedure.' Irvin Dowd, 366 717, 729, 1639, 1646, 751 (concurring opinion). Among presumption defendant's innocence. 692; Flaxer 358 151, 191, 183. incumbent committed indicted. element answer.12 hold, law, failure case. see 298—299; 436—437, 29 decide respecting power legislative Hos e Nor reach large stirred First claims. Our conventional framework traditional concepts. word, hold case.13 30 Reversed. 31 HARLAN, FRANKFURTER joins, dissenting. 32 is, course, showing 'pertinency' essential differ, dependent transpired Congressional rise prosecution. 33 involves whose witness—following appropriate inquiry,' 1081—the fall explanation. unfair allow theory given defendant presumably determined put. 34 Where, Committee, left free satisfy way choose. one, for, Court's recognizes, adequate Subcommittee. 35 dissent establish rests too niggardly view both record. Pertinency, context investigatory proceeding term wider import 'relevancy' judged terms immediate probative significance particular authorized inquiry, tendency elicit might useful link chain. Carroll Cir., 951, 953. An proceed 'step step.' Ibid. 36 Pertinency lacking (1) affairs situated Ithaca, N.Y., germane area'; (2) finds, alleged 'at generally.' agree neither facet holding. 37 true, says, Ih aca 165 away seems me refined say, could reasonably reference. suggest common usage, least Yorkers, 'Albany area' regarded aptly descriptive 'upstate' relation technical jurisdiction venue. 38 aspect equally infirm. Accepting, shall, shows Subcommittee, relevant time, 'labor union,' 'educational,' infiltration, abundantly lower justified concluding convicted* matter. 39 Only shortly examined interrogated witnesses, affiliations, work Syracuse, unions, students period Owen (Count Four indictment), campus. why deemed interest confined 'educational infiltration,' questioning developing bearing possibly stemming blocked answer. 40 'within law.' surely judging otherwise valid recognized been, insist inquiring follow stricter rules themselves apply determining, example, sufficiency plea self-incrimination 'link chain' rule, see, e.g., Blau 340 159, 71 223, 224, 95 170, 'materiality' perjury case, supra. reversing conviction, strayed decision. 41 affirm. 42 WHITTAKER, CLARK 43 respect, grossly misread For, after studying analyzing it, fail complain uncertainty object moreover, were, face, law. Demonstration facts carefully setting detail undisputed turn task. 44 Acting statutory command report objects 'un-American propaganda activities,' 'diffusion propaganda,' 'all thereto necessary remedial legislation,'1 7, relative activities. adduced, principally former Relations Marqusee, existed Those members cell, and, frequent secret occasionally passing hand-bills strike scenes, formulated carried plan using prestige innocent university's placement service getting jobs upper Syracuse—where, fellow Communists, leaders cells Richardson—who employee of, regularly reported to, Investigation six most active another 1952 Deutch liaison undisclosed cell; period, collected turned over contributions, $100, name donor. 45 Having similar interrogate locating Pennsylvania caused Friday, But, convenience, executive session Monday, 9. 46 sworn interrogated. asking obtaining name, place date birth, background, fields inquired (and) *.' Specifically, stated: 47 grauates 48 (about) stated, plain. appears plain then, hearing, manifested understanding it. 50 Thereupon immediately occurred: 51 '(Mr. Tavenner—counsel Committee): Were Cornell? 52 Deutch: question, protest. 53 wish register challenge Public 601, enabling legislation. quesi on, involving associations, future, answering, protest constitutionality. yes, 54 Tavenner: Ross acted campus 55 'Will was? 56 Sir, 57 Jackson acting Subcommittee): beside point. You decline declination consist something scruples. 58 whole magnified have. 59 Jackson: pending Chair asked. 60 61 therefore refuse pending, correct? 62 Yes, sir. *' 63 Petitioner's resulted Count subsequent 64 colloquy ensued conclusion thing saying, sir, constitutional 601?' 65 effect donations benefit occasion sum designating source Will please, made? 66 No; made—I names, friend.' reply chairman's direction 67 can't question. realize problems facing me, easy make. 68 directs 69 unable to. 70 know sir.' 72 Two background Three omitted, dismissed Count, 74 Petitioner refused, though chairman, question: Owen?' And Then, saying Party),' 76 By approached? name. approached. name.' 80 Five This, submit, facts, sets literally contention,o bjection Apart formal exhibits Government, 82 provides ample support finding general, fields,' 91, announced immaterial told, near beginning propounded, (students) (his) Like 'quoted (petitioner) petitioner—i.e., Cornell—'and (to subject).' 148, 696. 83 Likewise, ground 'Never unawareness questions.' 146, 694. 'declined (but rather ground) against 'moral scruples' people.' 147, 695. 'Nor,' claim understand contrary, obvious based persons (n)ot until Court, afterthought, appellant raise 147—148, 695—696. proved reasonable 'indisputable clarity." 84 reverses findings judgments below sole compelled evidence, respectfully, disagree. 85 Here, 'infiltration specifically recently monies donors identify; coming desired him, Ithaca' n d 'matters second place, crystal third objection, hinted Instead, said: And, finally, introducing matters. strange find 86 1273, 'objected pertinency' (id., 214, 1193), clarify Hence, (Emphasis added.) 'undisputable clarity,' moreover indication whatever 87 1091, 1115, investigation,' point, lengthy written quoted Jones Securities & Exchange Comm., 298 1, 654, 1015, language witness' administrative reversed relevancy clear. rejecting claim, contrasting situation existing 'These cannot, accepted objection. constituted contemplated still unasked, buried adequate, 214—215 (77 1193—1194,), 88 States Bryan, 339 323, 724, 94 884, highly here, believed subject, decent Representatives, authority (he questioned), required (he) reasons (refusing questions).' 332, 731. Such opportunity avoid blocking detailed thereto. 'To consider (such an) remedy obstruction processes. Bevan Kreiger, 289 459, 464—465, 661, 1316 (1933).' 333, raising patently attempted 'evasion summoned (, and) condoned.' McPhaul 372, 379, 138, 136. 89 alone be, complete holding, 90 addition, Counts One, law.2 Ithaca,' Surely Indictment profitably elaborate truth 109 123—125, 380—381, 91 reasons, bound right, affirmed. 'Every having produce papers House, joint concurrent Houses Congress, willfully makes default, who, appeared, refuses shall guilty misdemeanor, punishable fine $1,000 less imprisonment jail monh twelve months.' See, cited text, supra: 884; Fleischman, 349, 739, 906; Rumely, 345 41, 543, 97 770; 987. Party.' colloquies typical: Doyle: Who published leaflets? What Party? Where get From national headquarters? so. local branch. office branch just distribute ever Downtown Club Ithaca? Did attend group? wonder became defunct organization. uptown, few qualify statement. Scherer: Let held? exactly were. because—since drove (Mr. law behest 466, 1593, infra.) set indictment, 'Count 'Where Owen? approached.' Three. un-American diffusion instigated foreign countries, domestic origin, attacks principles form Constitution 'It committees land international conspiracy, used tool weapon promote policy objective overthrow governments non-Communist resorting use violence necessary. live expand promulgation designed win adherence cause. testify aspects worldwide demonstrate serious permit directives discipline placed positions leadership functional objects. 'Many sitting places throughout experiences members. added immeasurably total knowledge, country. 'Witnesses Hollywo d, profession, medical groups defense country disclosing knowledge. trustworthiness finally terminated membership good faith. concerned political beliefs opinions keeping long-standing mentioned adversely affect making denial adverse references. announcement public: discretion discharge permission compulsion. Any attempt anyone demonstration audible comment room, favorably unfavorably, toward undertaking, countenanced occur, officers requested eject offenders room.' entire 210—211, note 49, sixteen 'for morning,' Representative Jackson, Chairman, Scherer Doyle. earlier composed Kearney, Walter. 'Q. How Deutch's 'Education—8' 'Albany'? A. Well, releasing convenience heading Education.' peculiar knowledge Cf. practice ordinarily avoided. dissenting asserted record.' Since litigant reviewed record, explicitly that: affirmatively directly indirectly, 'passing handbills scenes' 'plan York,' anywhere else. subcommittee, behalf, 'advise' else, Two, Four, opinion. 461, 1590. Legislative Reorganization Act 1946, Stat. 828. Rule XI(1)(q) (2), Rules H. Res. 5, 83d Cong., 1st Sess., Cong.Rec. 15. pp. 18, 24. Inasmuch sentence imposed allows count, follows adequately 126, 25, 1081.

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