Document: 381 U.S. 301 85 S.Ct. 1493 14 L.Ed.2d 398 Corliss LAMONT, dba Basic Pamphlets, Appellant,v.POSTMASTER GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES. John F. FIXA, Individually and as Postmaster, San Francisco, California, etal., Appellants, v. Leif HEILBERG. Nos. 491 848. Argued April 26, 1965. Decided May 24, Leonard B. Boudin, Washington, D.C., for appellant in No. 491. Archibald Cox, Sol. Gen., appellee appellants Marshall W. Krause, Cal., Mr. Justice DOUGLAS delivered the opinion of Court. 1 These appeals present same question: is § 305(a) Postal Service Federal Employees Salary Act 1962, 76 Stat. 840, constitutional construed applied? The statute provides part: 2 'Mail matter, except sealed letters, which originates or printed otherwise prepared a foreign country determined by Secretary Treasury pursuant to rules regulations be promulgated him 'communist political propaganda', shall detained Postmaster General upon its arrival delivery United States, subsequent deposit States domestic mails, addressee notified that such matter has been received will only addressee's request, detention not required case any furnished subscription ascertained desired addressee.' 39 U.S.C. 4008(a). 3 defines propaganda' propaganda (as term defined 1(j) Foreign Agents Registration 19381) issued on behalf with respect there effect suspension withdrawal tariff concessions from assistance withheld certain specified statutes. 4008(b). contains an exemption provisions mail addressed government agencies educational institutions, officials thereof, sent reciprocal cultural international agreement. 4008(c). 4 To implement Post Office maintains 10 11 screening points through routed all unsealed designated countries. At these nonexempt examined Customs authorities. When it piece propaganda,' mailed notice identifying being advising destroyed unless requests returning attached reply card within 20 days. 5 Prior March 1, 1965, contained space could request 'similar publication' future. A list persons thus manifesting desire receive was maintained Office. Government brief informs us keeping this terminated, effective 15, Thus, under new practice, must returned each individual desired. standing instruction now possible leave deliver propaganda.'2 And Solicitor advises Department 'intends retain assumption those who do return want neither identified publication nor similar one arriving subsequently.' 6 arose out Office's 1963 copy Peking Review #12 appellant, Dr. Lamont, engaged publishing distributing pamphlets. Lamont did respond but instead instituted suit enjoin enforcement statute, alleging infringed his rights First Fifth Amendments. thereupon considered institution expression therefore none would detained. amended complaint challenge grounds placement name desiring propaganda.' majority three-judge District Court nonetheless dismissed moot, 229 F.Supp. 913, because unimpeded. Insofar concerned, thought legally significant harm result listed merely speculative possibility, so score controversy yet ripe adjudication. appealed dismissal, we noted probable jurisdiction. 379 926, 327, 13 340. 7 Like Heilberg 848, when detained, refused filed injunction against statute. reacted manner had Lamont's complaint, declined hold Heilberg's action thereby mooted. Instead reached merits unanimously held unconstitutional Amendment. 236 405. 997, 722, 700. 8 There no longer even colorable question mootness cases, procedure, described above, requires postal authorities send separate item make item. Under system, are told, can have manifested whose go relatively concedes changed procedure entirely precludes claim leaves our consideration sole constitutionality 9 We conclude applied official act (viz., card) limitation unfettered exercise addressees Amendment rights. As stated Holmes ex rel. Milwaukee Social Democratic Pub. Co. Burleson, 255 407, 437, 41 352, 363, 65 L.Ed. 704 (dissenting): 'The may give up post-office sees fit, while carries use mails almost much part free speech right tongues * *.'3 struck down Murdock Com. Pennsylvania, 319 105, 63 870, 87 1292, flat license tax registration requirement imposed labor union organizer before making met fate Thomas Collins, 323 516, 315, 89 430. municipal licensing system literature invalid Lovell City Griffin, 303 444, 58 666, 82 949. recently reviewed Harman Forssenius, 380 528, 1177, attempt State impose burden Twenty-fourth There, federal electors pay state poll tax. stated: 'For elections, abolished absolutely prerequisite voting, equivalent milder substitute imposed. Any material voter solely refusal waive immunity subverts effectiveness fall ban.' Id., U.S., p. 542, S.Ct., 1186. 12 Here Congress—expressly restrained 'abridging' freedom press—is actor. sets administrative astride flow inspect it, appraise write about await response dispatching mail. Just taxing Lovell, Thomas, cases sought control ideas public, here regulate here, more than Hannegan Esquire, Inc., 327 146, 66 456, 90 586, concerning extent Congress classify fix charges carriage. Nor reach whether standard pass muster. deal abroad contraband. rest narrow ground order writing delivered. This amounts judgment abridgment affirmative obligation think him. deterrent effect, especially respects sensitive positions. Their livelihood dependent security clearance. Public like schoolteachers tenure, might they invite disaster if read what says seeds treason. Apart them, likely feel some inhibition sending condemned regime at war 'uninhibited, robust, wide-open? debate discussion contemplated New York Times Sullivan, 376 254, 270, 84 710, 720, 686. reverse affirm It ordered. 15 Judgment reversed 848 affirmed. 16 WHITE took decision cases. 17 BRENNAN, whom GOLDBERG joins, concurring. 18 troublesome predicated their relief senders. succeed, then establish vindicate senders' rights, cf. Dombrowski Pfister, 479, 486, 1116, 1120, well protection government, Johnson Eisentrager, 339 763, 781—785, 70 936, 945—947, 94 1255. However, questions us, since assert claims own right: contend powerless interfere 'necessarily protects it.' Martin Struthers, 141, 143, 862, 863, 1313. Since decisions today uphold contention, I join Court's opinion. 19 true specific guarantee access publications. Bill Rights goes beyond guarantees protect congressional equally fundamental personal necessary express fully meaningful. See, e.g., Bolling Sharpe, 347 497, 74 693, 98 884; NAACP Alabama, 357 449, 78 1163, 1488; Kent Dulles, 116, 1113, 1204; Aptheker State, 378 500, 1659, 992. publications right. dissemination accomplish nothing willing consider them. barren marketplace sellers buyers. Even were accept characterization regulation intended content speech, incidentally limiting exercise, see Zemel Rusk, 16—17, 1271, 1280—1281, 'have consistently compelling (governmental) interest subject power justify freedoms.' Button, 371 415, 438, 83 328, 341, Government's expressly disavows support 'in large public interests needed restriction inquiry.' Rather argues that, taking trouble named inconvenience involved. But prohibition precious denied government. Freedman Maryland, 51, 734, 649; Garrison Louisiana, 64, 209, 125; Speiser Randall, 513, 1332, 1460. 430, appreciably burdensome. Moreover, failure form results nondelivery particular also material. although publication, hence does card, consequence denial he receive. In event, cannot sustain intrusion minor one. said Boyd 116 616, 635, 524, 535, 29 746: 21 'It obnoxious thing mildest least repulsive form; illegitimate practices get first footing way, namely, silent approaches slight deviations legal modes procedure. obviated adhering rule person property should liberally construed. close literal construction deprives them half efficacy, leads gradual depreciation right, consisted sound substance. 22 duty courts watchful citizens, stealthy encroachments thereon.' 23 asserts enacted awareness Communist governments often offensive recipients constituted subsidy very bar States. sensibilities unwilling recipient safeguarded CFR 44.1(a) (Supp.1965) honor stop delivery; consideration, other hand, impedes addressee. area freedoms, confine itself intrusive adequate purpose. Cf. Butler Michigan, 352 380, 77 412. argument justified object avoiding subsidization American needs little comment. If wishes withdraw privilege, means terms endanger supra. That originate themselves highlights cherished values framework; never emulating practice restrictive re gimes expediency. 24 HARLAN concurs set forth concurring 'political propagranda' includes oral, visual, graphic, written, pictorial, communication (1) reasonably adapted to, disseminating believes will, intends prevail upon, indoctrinate, convert, induce, way influence section reference interests, policies, relations party policies promote racial, religious, social dissensions, (2) advocates, advises, instigates, promotes social, political, religious disorder, civil riot, conflict involving force violence republic overthrow subdivision violence.' 611(j). permits patron refuse (39 44.1(a)) withholding period exceed two years specifically items mail, including 'foreign matter.' Ibid. Schwartz, Mail Must Not Go Through, U.C.L.A. L.Rev. 805, 847. 'Whatever voluntary nature establishment, main artery business, affairs people conducted depends greater degree activity promotion general welfare.' Pike Walker, 73 App.D.C. 289, 291, 121 F.2d 37, 39. Gellhorn, Individual Freedom Governmental Restraints 88 et seq. (1956).

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