Legal Document

380 U.S. 503 85 Supreme Court Reporter 1148 14 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 39 AMERICAN COMMITTEE FOR PROTECTION OF FOREIGN BORN, Petitioner,v.SUBVERSIVE ACTIVITIES CONTROL BOARD. Number 44. Argued Dec. 8, 9, 1964. Decided April 26, 1965. Joseph Forer, Washington, D.C., for petitioner. Bruce Judge Terris, respondent. PER CURIAM. 1 The of Appeals the District Columbia Circuit affirmed an order Subversive Activities Control Board requiring that petitioner register as a 'Communist-front' organization under § 7 Act 1950, amended, 64 Statutes-at-Large 993, 50 Code KF62 786 (1958 ed.). 117 U.S.App.D.C. 393, 331 Federal Reporter, 2nd 53. We granted certiorari. 377 915, 84 1181, 12 185. 2 Under statute, determination is Communist front must rest on findings it '(A) substantially directed, dominated, or controlled by Communist-action organization, and (B) primarily operated purpose giving aid support to * *' 3(4), 989, 782(4) In Party versus Board, 367 1, 81 1357, 6 625, this sustained Board's 'Communistaction organization' within meaning 3(3) Act; in doing so, upheld registration requirement against First Amendment attack found objection based Fifth privilege self-incrimination not ripe decision. 3 present case 'Communist front' were upon evidence taken at hearing which was concluded 1955. conclusion substantial measure activities Abner Green, be member expressly assigned 1941 petitioner's executive secretary. Green died 1959. filed June 27, 1960, but record discloses no concerning after Green's death.1 circumstances we think should brought up date take account supervening events. Since operates prospectively, apparent reasonably current control established justify order. Our decision provisions did necessarily foreclose constitutional questions bearing Communist-front provisions.2 status clear record, serious raised neither necessary nor appropriate. 4 judgment vacated, cause remanded proceedings consistent with opinion. 5 It so ordered. Judgment vacated remanded. Mr. Justice WHITE took part case. 8 DOUGLAS, whom BLACK HARLAN concur, dissenting. 9 & N Immigration Nationality Decisions dissent from refusal face important squarely presented Court's excuse secretary, who prominent affairs, close hearings.1 10 Petitioner has never, far appears, alleged any facts indicating death nature Committee underwent significant change. Yet suggestion could have been made prior its decision; Appeals, 14(a) specifically provides: 'If either party shall apply court leave adduce additional evidence, show satisfaction such material, may before adduced proceeding manner terms conditions seem proper.'2 11 determining directed consider other addition secretary Party. Section 13(f) sets forth four different categories considered deciding whether front: (1) extent those are active direction also organization; (2) financial derived (3) front's funds personnel used promote objectives (4) positions matters policy do deviate line. Evidence all these adduced. takes peculiar view when surmises suddenly changed organization. forgets what said case: 'Where character connections others issue, course past conduct pertinent. Institutions, like organisms, predominantly their them. History provides illuminating context implications known.' 69, 1396.3 13 had existed since 1932 1933 eight nine years later became 'top functionary' national he 'most influential official' therein, only top official number two person Harriet Barron, administrative carried organization's day-to-day activities. She time hearings thereto. A great deal heard related local branches found: 'The management, direction, supervision (local committees) members Ruth Hillsgrove New England Committee; Evelyn Abelson Bess Steinberg Western Pennsylvania Saul Grossman Michigan Marion Kinney Northwest Delphine Smith Los Angeles Committee.' This establishes cannot possibly regarded one-man true leader York appeared some meetings committees. But existence committees, 'part of' indicate clearly above beyond himself. 15 regard genesis instructive. branch resulted discussions Seattle about need American defend members. 1949 designated head led formation branch, seems little, if any, it. first mention connection testimony 1952 speech meeting way connected committee. 16 ultimate finding organizations was: 'We find entire various area committees associated together joint action particular subjects. Together they constitute voluntary association one term 'organization' set section 3(2) statute.' (Emphasis supplied.) One simply read come congeries individual organizations, loosely united aegis committee, merely alter ego would therefore change his death. 17 Communism. To prove latter definition Attorney General introduced showing engaged legal defense defendants deportation denaturalization proceedings. Much appears concerned found, example, 'the cases Joe Weber, Refugio Ramon Martinez, James MacKay (were) handled Midwest Mexican deportees group referred Terminal Island Four Giacomo Quattrone-Ponzi (was) There reason believe work discontinued because 18 very much alive; means stale. issues affected 19 BLACK, 20 While joined dissents DOUGLAS remanding without involved, reasons objecting remands. 137, 1431, 625 (dissenting opinion), stated length my believing 987, §§ 781 826 ed.), Government's here rests, violates our Constitution Bill Rights many respects. See Aptheker Secretary State, 378 500, 517, 1659, 1669, 992 (concurring opinion). among things bill attainder; imposes cruel, unusual savage punishments thought, speech, writing, petition assembly; stigmatizes people beliefs, associations views politics, law, government. borrowed worst features old laws intended put shackles minds bodies men, make them confess crime, miserable while country, crime even attempt get out it.* difficult more thought-stifling than countries most benighted. Previous efforts pass constitutionality freedom-crushing law met frustration another. protest following again. My vote hear now hold is—a wholesale denial heritage every freedom-loving American. point when, February 11, oral argument sufficiency evidence. At time, counsel urged independent 'throwing case' '(t)his stale you ought throw can't enter *. (The General) talks devil was, ran Well, fact Barron (petitioner), sorrow dead. Things changed, times conscientiously terrific amount passed changes *.' XVIII Transcript 7492 7493. report. That plainly foreclosed illustrated President Truman's veto message: 'Insofar require itself, does endanger traditional liberties. However, application requirements so-called can greatest danger freedom press assembly, alien sedition 1798. arises criteria standards applied '(T)he permit solely advanced those' Movement. 'This provision easily classify advocating single objective being foreign Thus, advocates low-cost housing sincere humanitarian might classified Communists regularly exploit slum fifth-column techniques.' H.R.Doc. 708, 81st Cong., Sess., Page 6. Note, 74 Yale L.J. 738 (1965). began 1953 alleging (Immediately commencement issued report Arpil 20, 1953, organization.) Hearings examiner sometime 1956. examiner's recommended September 10, 1957. advisement, second remand litigation occurred. history full 19—22, 1370—1372, 625.) postpone Party, into play unless proved organization—which litigation. 1959, modified proceeding, reactivated ordered available certain documents intervening judicial decisions suggested producible. Further connection; further Board; 1960. On appeal January 1962, allow introduce perjured testimony. March reaffirmed earlier December 17, 1963, certiorari argue general cae 'stale' result 'passage time.' observed 'Abner changed. Standards everybody think, Department passing reference falls short effort legally entity death: reopen successor, new policies effect, like. And, noted, taking observed: '(I)t rarely, ever, possible instantaneous, contemporaneous fact, totally ignoring whole past. Not pertinent, quite material nature. Whether depends there affirmative departure ordinary affairs life litigation, shown over program, shown, indicated same program present.' 96 66, 105, 223 531, 570. 992, held unconstitutional 785 unlawful registered 'to passport use passport.'

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