Legal Document

345 U.S. 242 73 Supreme Court Reporter 600 97 L.Ed. 983 ALBERTSON et al.v.MILLARD, Attorney General al. Number 384. Argued Feb. 2, 1953. Decided March 16, Mr. Ernest Goodman, Detroit, Mich., for appellants. Edmund E. Shepherd, Lansing, appellees. PER CURIAM. 1 On april 17, 1952, the Governor of Michigan signed Communist Control Bill. April 22, Party and William Albertson, its Executive Secretary, filed a complaint in United States District or Eastern Michigan. Sections 2—5, inclusive, Section 7 Act were alleged to violate various provisions Federal Constitution. A declaratory judgment that effect was sought, along with an injunction prevent state officials officers from enforcing Act. three-judge Court, 106 F.Supp. 635, found constitutional appeal taken this Court. 2 5 requires registration Communists, front organizations, prevents them appearing on any ballot State. 'Communist,' 'Communist Party,' organization' are given statutory meaning by Legislature.1 Mich. Acts 117. 3 These definitions challenged appellants as void vagueness. The definition '* * member communist party, notwithstanding fact he may not pay dues to, hold card in, said party *' is be vague since once cards eliminated criteria there no readily apparent means determining who member. As organization substantially directed, dominated controlled Union Soviet Socialist Republics satellities' it contended standards what 'satellite.' In regard both which manner advocates, acts further, world movement' point failure define 'world creating answers these possibly other problems construction interpretation arising under 2—4 will determine ultimate scope 4 Interpretation legislation primarily function authorities, judicial administrative. statute courts binding upon federal courts. There has been absence such stems action court commenced only five days after became law. pending Circuit Wayne County, Michigan, bill seeking unconstitutional, grounds. That being held abeyance our mandate decision case. 6 We deem appropriate case construe before further considers action. See Rescue Army versus Municipal City Los Angeles, 1947, 331 549, 67 1409, 91 1666; American Federation Labor Watson, 1946, 327 582, 66 761, 90 873; Spector Motor Service McLaughlin, 1944, 323 101, 65 152, 89 101. vacated cause remanded directions vacate restraining order issued proceedings reasonable time either litigation instituted. 8 It so ordered. 9 Reversed directions. 10 Justice BLACK dissents. 11 DOUGLAS, dissenting. 12 doubtless instances where uncertain whether particular person 'Communist' group included Party' those terms defined But & N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions read record cannot slightest doubt purports appellant one members. words, plain beyond argument covered 13 therefore ripe decision. clouded abstract questions. ambiguities involving questions do turn niceties unlike 1666, forebears nature issue would depend ambiguous statutes construed. especially 598, 768, 873. Here but two questions: 14 (1) Can require Secretary register? 15 (2) forbid name nominee printed primary general election state? 16 my view can make issues more precise specific than present makes them. 'Sec. 2. 'communist' who: '(a) Is party; '(b) Knowingly contributes funds character property '(c) Commits advocates commission act reasonably calculated overthrow government America, political subdivision them, force violence; '(d) States, unlawful unconstitutional means, substitution intended satellities. 3. 'communist party' satellities, movement. 4. organization, members all communists, communists attorney annually shall prepare published list organizations.'

Classification Label: 8