Legal Document

348 U.S. 407 75 Supreme Court Reporter 409 99 L.Ed. 467 Joe Valdez GONZALES, Petitioner,v.UNITED STATES of America. Number 69. Argued Feb. 1, 2, 1955. Decided March 14, Mr. Hayden C. Covington, Brooklyn, N.Y., for petitioner. Mr.John Federal KF105 F3 Davis, Washington, D.C., respondent. Justice CLARK delivered the opinion Court. 1 This is another prosecution under 62 Statutes-at-Large 622, 50 U.S.C.App. § 462(a), U.S.C.A.Appendix, refusal to submit induction into armed services. The only question necessary decision this case whether petitioner claiming exemption because conscientious objections participation in war, was entitled receive a copy recommendation made by Department Appeal Board provisions 6(j) Universal Military Training and Service Act, 612, as amended, 456(j), 456(j). trial judge held that he not, classification I—A valid. Petitioner found guilty charged, 120 F.Supp. 730, Appeals Sixth Circuit affirmed, 212 Reporter, 2nd Series 71. 2 registered selective service laws on January 4, 1950. In his questionnaire, filed 9, 1951, claimed minister objector, claims stemming from association with Jehovah's Witnesses. Under doctrines sect, each member minister; their tenets are widely interpreted banning personal political wars. See Sicurella versus United States, 385, 403. Only petitioner's objector claim now before 3 Petitioner's secular education consisted elementary school training two years high school. On September 27, 1948, married record indicates that, beginning November 1949, received 'private instruction' Bible December began 'actively serving' Witness. 1950, laws. following month ordained religious affiliation, at least late had been Catholic, parents family were Catholic. He work Great Lakes Steel Corporation, steel plant manufacturing articles August 19, October recognized 'pioneer' Witnesses embarked more extensive activities.1 4 special form objectors, April 3, combatant noncombatant service. relied 'the ten commandments God Bible' support claim. said would use force '(i)n protection person ministerial activities, but no time aggression.' declined rely official pronouncements position, stating 'I am basing myself entirely my knowledge Bible.' supported claims, however, an affidavit signed 22 persons, attesting activity 18 months preceding 8, certificate persons conducting weekly studies them. not given public expression views 'other than' through general activity. 5 After intervening III—A (dependency deferment), classified 1952. February 1952, appearance, local decided unanimously continue I—A, noted appeal. tentative finding against him referred Justice. FBI then its investigation hearing. hearing officer, while noting 'appeared be sincere Witness such conscientiously opposed war,' recommended denial classification. Justice, report Board, similar recommendation. accepting view expressed '(t)he fact registrant became sect one after Selective System registration January, despite wife many years.'2 No or other notice prior Board's decision. 11, upon brought. 6 contends invalid furnished Department's accorded opportunity reply thereto. Section outlining procedure cases, silent question.3 But silence considered rejection right supplied fair re sume adverse evidence reports, States Nugent, 1953, 346 73 991, 97 1417; Simmons 397, we believe it also implicit Act Regulations—viewed our underlying concepts procedural regularity basic play—that forwarded afforded reply.4 7 It true advisory. Indeed, very consideration led us supra, allow considerable latitude auxiliary which culminated report. A natural corollary this, rebut when coames agency ultimate responsibility For usual renders determination 'final' courts, overturned unless there basis fact. Estep 327 114, 66 423, 90 567. 8 should emphasized, moreover, contrast strictly appellate functions exercises handling first board recommendation, usually decision-making body pass entire file. An therefore means insuring will have all relevant data. Furthermore, if present effectively must cognizant facts well over-all position Ohio Bell Telephone company Public Utilities Comm., 301 292, 300—305, 57 724, 728—730, 81 1093; Abilene & Southern KF135 S69 Ry. Co., 265 274, 289, 44 565, 569, 68 1016; Interstate Commerce Comm. Louisville N.R. 227 88, 93, 33 185, 187, 431. 9 here underscore necessity. emphasizes Catholic concluded 'affiliation (Jehovah's Witnesses) has too recent closely related draft status warrant acceptance genuine. * lends weight conclusion.' registered, testimony belief since 1948. Nor facet explored If might successfully contradicted conclusion diminished forcefulness thrust. discloses apparently placed little emphasis lateness conversion, inquiring instead about employment plant. appeal, logical direct attention these matters. based proximity conversion draft, contention meet. know thrust so could muster arguments meet contentions. Morgan 304 18,5 58 773, 776, 82 1129. 10 requirement inconsistent (346 996), procedures, 'geared imperative needs mobilization national vigilance', delayed 'litigious interruption.' sought make 'a full-scale appealing registrant.' We refuse compel 'an all-out collateral attack (Department Justice) obtained prehearing investigation.' Here involved mailing permitting Board. already file statement Board.6 Just meaningful hearing, supra; includes statement, awareness recommendations countered. 11 problem arisen once administration 1940, et seq., Boards panels clergymen laymen particular faith questions concerning validity divinity student claims. panel interviewed sustaining panels, emphasized regulations examine 'explain correct it, deny it.' Eagles ex rel. Samuels, 329 304, 313, 67 318, 91 308. Horowitz, 317, 323, 320, 324, 318. And, where shown access panel's report, Judge Learned Hand said: 12 'As comes us, (the registrant) may unaware, chance answer: prime any hearing.' Balogh, Cir., 157 939, 943, judgment vacated grounds, 692, 625, 605. 13 Brewer 1954, 211 864. 14 So basic, indeed, 'prime hearing' counsel Government contended oral argument rights amply protected provision mode 'rehearing.' short, decides returned information file, including Department, 32 Code Regulations 1606.32(a)(1); 1606.38(c). request reopening classification, 1625.1(a); 1625.2, submitted 'proof error documents appeal Justice.'7 Moreover, contentions Director State Service, requesting reconsideration 1625.3(a); 1626.61(a). 15 remedies late. Too little, side broader than bare 'errors' late, because, except permission state Director, reopen case; certain reluctance expected albeit incomplete presentation, rejected registrant's discretion 'is accompanying fails addition those or, even new presented, facts, true, justify change *' 16—25.4. 16 hold over procedures set up statute regulations, designed 'fair just' operation, 605, 451(c), require reasonable Accordingly, Appeals, upholding conviction refusing induction, reversed. 17 Reversed. REED, whom BURTON joins, dissenting. 19 N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions affirm. prescribed procedure, especially provided adequate petitioner, find express implied statutory administrative send advisory 20 only. As has, Regulations, 1606.32(a)(1), 1625(1) (2) showing error, satisfied. 1417. 21 MINTON, Because did allowed see summary thereof, action arbitrary capricious. lose jurisdiction act beyond it. much narration background officer's (R. 11a seq.) latter document, applicable (1954 Supp.) 1626.25, transmitted classifying complete text follows: 'Registrant born July 22, 1931, San Antonio, Texas. left Edison High School city June, attendance took sheet metal worker firm. September, summer 1949 came Detroit worked laborer Adams Lumber Company until July, From August, 1950 employed maintenance man Corporation. Registrant previously five sisters brother Catholics. His mother dead father lives Registrant's 1941 baptized February, October, participates activities attending several meetings Theocratic Ministry School. does house sells publications sect. bases own interpretation guidance Watchtower aids relies particularly Ten Commandments. believes self defense. 'The reflects regarded communities lived religious. Neighbors advise they apartment appear devote work. References co-religionists devoted applies himself earnestly Employment records reveal remembered good contains derogatory information. 'After Hearing Officer stated appeared affiliation years, conclusion. record, finds sustained. is, therefore, your both sustained.' section provide shall 'appropriate inquiry,' 'hearing' respect objections. unfounded, 'it recommend same tenor, 1626.25. Inapplicable instant cases dealing intermediate begin with, National Labor Relations Mackay Radio Telegraph 333, 904, 1381; Corporation New Jersey S.E.C., 1942, 129 899, can subjected judicial review, Chicago Air Lines Waterman S.S. Corp., 333 103, 431, 92 568, satisfactory formulating Williams People York, 337 241, 69 1079, 93 1337; Norwegian Nitrogen Products 288 294, 53 350, 77 796. three distinguishable, do involve individualized legislative determinations, judgments, exercise imposition sentence. Mazza Cavicchia, N.J. 498, 105 Atlantic 545. embraces evidence, opposing party implies opportunity; otherwise barren one. Those who brought contest quasi-judicial proceeding aimed control fairly advised what proposes heard proposals issues final command.' 1626.12. attach specifying matters erred, failed consider give sufficient weight, out full offered refused include file.' requires statements initiated. And 1626.24(b) provides contained (1) economic, industrial, social conditions.' broad scope review 1626.12 implication registrants required initial Such requirement, indeed viewed absolute bar supplemental amendatory statements, proper normal case. augmented point failure acted. letter General Hershey,

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