Document: 365 U.S. 431 81 S.Ct. 584 5 L.Ed.2d 653 Carl BRADEN, Petitioner,v.UNITED STATES. No. 54. Argued Nov. 17, 1960. Decided Feb. 27, 1961. Rehearing Denied April See 890, 1024. Mr. Leonard B. Boudin, New York City and John M. Coe, Pensacola, Fla., for petitioner. J. Walter Yeagley, Washington, D.C., respondent. Justice STEWART delivered the opinion of Court. 1 This case is a companion to Wilkinson v. United States, 399, 567, 633. The petitioner was witness immediately preceding at hearing subcommittee House Un-American Activities Committee, in Atlanta, Georgia, on July 30, 1958. He refused answer many questions directed him, basing his refusal upon grounds that were not pertinent question under inquiry by interrogation invaded First Amendment rights. subsequently indicted and, after jury trial, convicted having violated 2 U.S.C. § 192, U.S.C.A. 192 refusing six specific which had been put him subcommittee.1 Court Appeals affirmed, Cir., 272 F.2d 653, relying Barenblatt 360 109, 79 1081, 3 1115, we granted certiorari, 362 960, 80 878, 4 876. principal issues raised are substantially identical those considered Wilkinson, extended discussion required resolving them. Based same record brought here conclude reasons stated there subjects investigation time interrogated Communist infiltration into basic southern industry Party propaganda activities part States. We subcommittee's these authorized Congress, inquiry,2 fully apprised its pertinency.3 In asserting violation rights, points out he asked, simply whether or member, as Barenblatt, supra, but member 'the instant you affixed your signature letter.' letter question, admittedly signed wife, urged opposition certain bills Congress. emphasizes writing such only legitimate constitutionally protected activity, other evidence indicate active completely causes.4 circumstances, argues did have proper legislative purpose calling before it, it bent rather persecuting publicly opposing activities. contends circumstances an personal associational conduct freedoms. On grounds, would differentiate constitutional from supra. But confine congressional committee overt criminal nor determine Congress can investigate itself. Rather, decision upheld activity education. Education, too, activity. given area country, here, surely much within pervasive authority educational institutions. reason believe Party, actively engaged efforts. It making Information extent utilizing organizations causes efforts region beyond reach inquiry. Upon reasoning U.S., pages 125—134, 1092—1097, hold judgment be set aside grounds. this raises two additional either First, says error trial court leave asked subject Secondly, asserts could properly convicted, because relied understanding meaning previous decisions think both contentions foreclosed Sinclair 279 263, 49 268, 73 L.Ed. 692. 6 At district judge determined matter law subcommittee,5 leaving pertinence home noted counsel made no timely objection procedure indeed, affirmatively acquiesced it.6 need base rejection petitioner's contention ground, for, any event, law. precisely what held where said 299, 273: 'The holding relevancy materiality * apply with equal force determination pertinency arising section 102 (the predecessor 192). facts called so related covered Senate's resolutions reasonably 'pertinent inquiry.' incongruous contrary well-established principles jury.' 7 During asked: 'Now do I understand now solely invocation provisions first amendment, invoked protection fifth amendment Constitution. Is correct?' gave following answer: 'That right, sir. am standing Watkins, Sweezy, Konigsberg, States Supreme protect my Constitution they interpret protecting right private belief association.' 8 argued Court's statute failing questions. An almost also rejected page 274: 'There merit appellant's entitled new excluded acted good faith advise competent counsel. gist offense No moral turpitude involved. Intentional sufficient constitute guilt. There misapprehension for. deliberate. 9 sought law, duty answer. bound rightly construe statute. His mistaken view defense.'7 10 Here, Sinclair, deliberate intentional. 11 Affirmed. 12 BLACK, whom THE CHIEF JUSTICE DOUGLAS concur, dissenting. 13 case, shown forth dissenting DOUGLAS, has some odds strong sentiment favoring racial segregation State Kentucky. A white man himself, nonetheless spoken strongly against sentiment. once resulted being charged serious crime,1 seems primary Committee. For occasion Committee's compelling go Rhode Island, vacationing, Atlanta questioning appears circulation letters, nature petitions urging action taken which, signers petitions, help working segregation. One who read urge their representatives vote proposed legislation empowered enact antisedition statutes because, signers, too readily used citizens integration. petition, bearing 200 Negroes, sent directly Representatives requested body allow Committee hearings South petition charged, 'all Committee's) recent years suggest more interested harassing labeling 'subversive' citizen inclined liberal independent thinker.' shows apparently believed drafted circulated them, not—as appear face petitions—for furthering cause integration, interests claimed information member,2 fomenting strife interfering investigations 14 When appeared response subpoena, number regarding beliefs associations, culminating instant' defeat authorizing state laws. Petitioner first, power ask secondly, refuse Amendment. he, like Frank followed stand hearing,3 sentenced months jail.4 And, conviction majority affirms '(u)pon authority' States.5 15 Again must agree insofar attacked grounds,6 constitutes ample action, even though cannot denied direct abridgment petition. Indeed, might well have, justification, earlier Court, Beauharnais People Illinois.7 applied flexible rule based—the guaranteed precise mandatory terms Amendment, may abandoned Government offer doing finds sufficiently compelling. Ironically, asserted Illinois accepted warrant Negroes labeled 'libel group,'8 although actually nothing than seeking governmental public support program segregation.9 Thus, all outward appearances one aid underprivileged Negro minority.10 decision, however, dramatic illustration shortsightedness interpretation case. very philosophy birth today gives strip people willing speak up behalf. If interrogate everyone Communist,11 thing peradventure doubt—no committee, federal, will trouble finding subpoena persons anywhere take lesson learned cases is, mind, clear. Liberty, secure any, all—even most miserable merchants hated unpopular ideas. 16 Both offspring doctrine steadily sacrificing individual freedom religion, speech, press, assembly control. indications continue grow alarming rate. presently prevailing doctrine, treats mere admonition, leaves liberty-giving freedoms intended mercy whenever concludes, basis several judicially created 'tests' vogue,12 desirable Only few days ago, application wiped forbidding prior censorship movies door wide open to, if indeed does invite, means publication.13 And Blackstonian condemnation long thought, whose ideas liberties restricted, absolute minimum demanded Amendment.14 17 deny, found repeatedly necessary cases, Nation's ability preserve itself depends suppression petition.15 noble-sounding slogan 'self-preservation'16 rests premise destroy democratic nation slow process eating away indispensable healthy growth. foundation true democracy Nation built fact government responsive views citizens, exist unless wholly free fearlessly officials begins send dissenters, Uphaus, Braden, jail, existence fast disappearing. self-preservation o issue decides firmly decided way. dedicated preservation hope our traditional way life. 18 already past when recognize cherish life-giving life-preserving qualities Bill Rights afford sit complacently while destroyed sophistry dialectics. least years, since American Communications Ass'n, C.I.O. Douds,17 forces destruction hard work. Much damage done. dangerous trend stopped now, impossible task stop all. off marked boundaries defined. provides adequate liberty. Thus observe faithfully us. present, others them obliterated boundaries.18 limits encroachment field except choose value-weighing case-by-case basis. 19 accept process. As guard defined, defined relative importance liberty power. majority's approach makes rigid language imports, poor imitation. weak substitute totally unacceptable forbids, among things, agency Federal Government—be legislative, executive judicial—to harass punish beliefs, speech about, criticism of, laws officials. Founders then trust definition now. History affairs present day show right. grim reminders around world distance between firing squads always far seems. overrule forerunners progeny, return Rights. different course dangerous. 20 JUSTICE, BLACK BRENNAN 21 bottom Commonwealth Pennsylvania Nelson, 350 497, 76 477, 100 640, entrust sedition, Brown Board 347 483, 74 686, 98 873, students schools unconstitutional. supposed until disagree without hounded jail concluding government. 22 June 1957, Watkins 354 178, 77 1173, 1273, defining curtailing Congressional Committees courts witnesses contempt.1 six-to-one 'when rights threatened, delegation clearly revealed charter' (id., 198, 1184); 'there expose sake exposure' 200, 1185); 'un-American' Resolution vague 'difficult imagine less explicit resolution' 202, 1187); chooses answering 'to knowledge deemed pertinent' 208—209, 1190); th statement chairman 'woefully inadequate convey Id., 215, 1193. 23 Sweezy Hampshire, 234, 1203, 1311, reversed 'subversive activities' teacher concerning relation Marxism. Chief stated: 24 'Equally manifest fundamental principle society political individual. Our form every shall engage expression association. enshrined Exercise America traditionally through media associations. Any interference party simultaneously adherents. All should channeled programs major parties. amply proved virtue minority, dissident groups, innumerable times vanguard thought ultimately accepted. Mere unorthodoxy dissent mores condemned. absence voices symptom grave illness society.' 250—251, 1212. concurring 25 'Progress natural sciences remotely confined findings laboratory. Insights mysteries born hypothesis speculation. pursuit groping endeavors social sciences, concern society. problems respective preoccupations anthropology, economics, psychology, sociology areas scholarship merely departmentalized dealing, manageable division analysis, interpenetrating aspects holistic perplexities. society's good—if essential society—inquiries problems, speculations about stimulation reflection left unfettered possible. Political abstain intrusion freedom, pursued interest wise people's well-being, exigent obviously compelling.' 261 262, 1217. 26 8, 1959—two decisions—we divided slight consideration type claim rely failure raise 123—125, 1091—1092. 27 Petitioner, 1958, decided, answer, 'as 28 Act stands states guilty 'wilfully default, who, appeared, refuses 192. 274, 692, justified faith, saying, 'His defense.' Yet involved involved, propriety narrowly resolved. 29 case2 'It difficult resolution. Who define 'un-American'? What single, solitary 'principle Constitution'? time, perhaps, resolution propaganda. events transpired fifteen make construction date.' 1187, 1273. 30 emphasized need, implicated, lay probing area. 'be charter.' 1184. 'specific need' disclosed. 205, 1188. known 'with degree explicitness clarity Due Process Clause requires element offense.' 209, 1190. 31 After anyone propositions conditions plainly satisfy requirements specified Watkins. 32 setting questions3 exercise press matrix overthrow shown—unless bare word gospel—that whatever communism, subversion, illegal sort kind. how ever redress grievances. 33 wife secretaries organization Southern Conference Educational Fund. Prior wrote letter4 letterhead write Congressmen Senators oppose three pending would, use words, 'nullify' 'declaring sedition inoperative.' They added 'We especially concerned know own experience bring integration South. Most broad loosely worded, sedition. You happen little prosecutor turned loose law.' 34 Also group petitioned Activities. That 35 informed planning early date. 36 'As residing District Columbia, deeply struggle full people, development. 37 acutely aware shocking amount un-American states. To cite examples, bombings homes, schools, houses worship Jewish citizens; terror Dawson, Ga.; continued boards registrars communities register vote; White Citizens Councils encouraging defiance 38 'However, that, comes South, things. contrary, thinker. 39 'For reason, alarmed prospect coming follow lead Senator Eastland, investigating committees, trying attach label Southerner dares voice ideals. 40 recently pointed four leaders met President Eisenhower great needs build lines communication Southerners. Many this. spread becomes increasingly find citizenship. Southerners, Negro, strive work best tremendous odds. Government. unthinkable instead harassed committees 41 therefore influence see stays South—unless persuaded come defend us subversives policy civil all, ideals equality brotherhood.' 42 preparing petition; later 'precluding attempting preclude softening here.' 'A names closely associated Party. Their lie honest lies purposes looking *.' 43 Two pertained Conference, 'Did participate meeting time?' second 'Who solicited quarters available Fund?' 44 Emergency Civil Liberties 'Are connected Committee?' Harvey O'Connor conferences develop plans strategy outlining schedules 'a hard-core communist conspiracy, head Committee.' 45 previously mentioned5 reinstate relating 'Were letter?' 46 sixth final Newsletter. Counsel 'anything do' letter. replied 'I invading *. object invasion decline attacking integrationists, press.' 47 Newsletter remotest connection charge connection. amounts innuendo. particularly clear respect membership Having drawn attention written,6 laid appears, save link communism supported passing 1091—1092, careful emphasize 'had heard Subcommittee Crowley along petitioner, evidently questioned, listened Crowley's testimony identifying former alleged student (Emphasis added.) here. 48 warranted think, light undisclosed unsupported surmise justify matters seemed Amendment.7 anything, inroads domain made, demonstrable established scope authority. Otherwise roam will, requiring disclose association publication discredit communistic. indictment counts, each count concurrent sentences imposed. counts follows: 'And time? Fund? Committee? O'Connor, conference strategies letter? just you, resident Louisville, Kentucky, anything Newsletter?' transcript subcommittee, introduced intelligible relevance Since imposed specifically consider count, going membership. 115, 1087, 1115; Claassen 142 140, 147, 169, 170, 966. statements Chairman members tenor witnesses, lengthy explanatory addressed contemporaneously example, 'Southern Fund' promoting clear, investigation. 'What in, behalf Party? clouded, concerned, talking that. conspiracy.' another point colloquy occurred: 'Mr. Braden: hundred last week Atlanta. Jackson: list, letters went circular files members, quite obvious into, let clouding morning nonsense further, destroy, with, integration.' 'You note alleges reference yourselves allegation involves determined. defendant explain.' opening jury, said: stated, ruled Braden knew submitted gentlemen.' Not arguments instructions actual decide. reaffirmed Murdock, 290 389, 397, 54 223, 226, 78 381, applicable bad evil intent misdemeanor conditioned guilt innocence propounded. wrong took risk becoming liable prescribed penalty.' 208, 1189, 1954 received sentence imprisonment years. prosecution grew surrounding helping family purchase all-white suburb Louisville. charges eventually dismissed 640. Ky., 291 S.W.2d 843. prosecution's version Attorney General Louisville latter served case) Investigate Administration Internal Security Laws Senate Judiciary, 85th Cong., 1st Sess., pp. 2—23. Bradens' Anne Wall Between. So record, substantiate stronger 633, there, flat conclusory informant, Subcommittee. Hearings Subcommittee, op. cit., n. 1, 37. each, majority, 'we referred above dealing possible 1115. indicated concurrence above, controlled 343 250, 72 725, 96 919. 734. itself, reprinted Appendix 276, 740. so. See, id., 275, 740: 'If minority groups hail victory, ancient remark: "Another victory undone." demonstrates conclusively These include 'shocks conscience,' offends sense justice,' runs counter 'decencies civilized conduct,' inconsistent 'an ordered concept liberty,' 'traditional notions fair play substantial justice English-speaking peoples,' unjustified 'on balance.' Rochin California, 342 165, 175—176, 211, 183 (concurring opinion); Uphaus Wyman, 364 388, 392—393, 153, 159—160, 148 (dissenting opinion). Significantly, none result obtained depend plain Times Film Corp. Chicago, 43, 391. e.g., Levy, Legacy Suppression, 13—15, 173, 185, 186, 190, 202—220, 241, 248, 258, 283, 288, 289, 293, 307 309. Douds, 339 382, 452—453, 70 674, 710—711, 94 925 Dennis 341 494, 580, 71 857, 902, 95 1137 145—153, 162, 1102 1107, 1111, 1115 Flemming Nestor, 363 603, 628, 1367, 1382, 1435 400—401, 154, commonplace opinions 509, 867, 1137, 'Overthrow violence certainly enough limit speech. ultimate value society, structure armed internal attack, subordinate protected.' Then, 127—128, 1093, told: 'In analysis self-preservation, society," reiterated 925, 1950. 392, 159, Communication 925; 1137; Garner Public Works Los Angeles, 716, 909, 1317; Adler Education City, 485, 380, 517; Illinois, 919; Galvan Press, 522, 737, 911; Yates 298, 1064, 1356; 72, 1040, 1090; Nelson County 527, 494; 1435; 148; testified freely himself balked others: goint plead outside committee's puts me myself. still are. not, past. country testify otherwise removed themselves movement. relevant undertake exposure wrong, power, holds directs discuss associates.' part: Activities, whole (1) extent, character, objects (2) diffusion subversive instigated foreign countries domestic origin attacks Constitution, (3) thereto remedial legislation.' serve run concurrently. Therefore sustained affirmance necessary. 'Dear Friend: Kentucky 'sedition' thrown (Commonwealth supra) declaring inoperative. nullify decision. real danger pass. local small comfort realize probably Before reaches human beings spent lives fighting talents diverted positive money needed defensive battle. validate sweeping attack target outlawing Won't senators congressman asking S. 654, 2646, H.R. 977. firm curb important write—and get write—immediately time. 'Cordially yours, 'Carl 'Field Secretaries.' Supra, 4. consequences flow situation manifold. place, reviewing unable kind Rumely, supra (345 41, 543, 97 770). allowed, essence, authority, direction focus activites. deciding conferred act pursuant motives seem highest. decisions, nevertheless, ruthless order gather data neither desired useful it. circumstance, jeopardy, declare ranged committed parent nebulous.' 204,

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