Legal Document

384 U.S. 702 86 Supreme Court Reporter 1689 16 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 870 John T. GOJACK, Petitioner,v.UNITED STATES. Number 594. Argued April 21, 1966. Decided June 13, Frank Judge Donner, New York City, for petitioner. Walter Yeagley, Washington, D.C., respondent. Mr. Justice FORTAS delivered the opinion of Court. 1 This case is a sequel to this Court's decision in Russell versus States, 369 749, 82 1038, 8 240, and companion cases. One those cases related same person who petitioner here events. 2 Petitioner appeared before Subcommittee House Committee on Un-American Activities February 28 March 1, 1955. He answered certain questions, but refused answer others concerning his affiliation with Communist Party, others, connection 'Peace Crusade.' had challenged jurisdiction Subcommittee, authorization each, constitutionality inquiry general specific reference questions which he declined answer.1 did not does invoke Fifth Amendment. 3 was indicted contempt Congress under Rev.Stat. § 102, as amended, 52 Statutes-at-Large 942, Code KF62 192 (1964 ed.)2 (hereafter, 192) result refusals answer. convicted. In supra, reversed, holding that indictment defective because it allege 'subject inquiry.' The noted specification subject fundamental charge violating its provisions. Absent an allegation matter inquiry, held, there no way can be determined whether factual recitals charged crime 192—that is, refusal 'pertinent inquiry,' within legislative competence Congress.3 4 thereafter re-indicted. deficiency first sought cured by recital '(t)he these hearings Party activities field labor * *.' again convicted given sentence three months' imprisonment $200 fine. Appeals District Columbia Circuit affirmed per curiam. 121 U.S.App.D.C. 126, 348 Federal Reporter, 2nd 355 (1965). We granted certiorari. 382 937, 398, 15 348. reverse. It now clear fault proceedings more than omission from inquiry' being conducted Subcommittee. never specified or authorized Committee, required own rules, nor lawful delegation authority conduct investigation. 5 urges we reconsider Barenblatt 360 109, 79 1081, 1115. upheld investigate infiltration into education. circumstances case, sustained investigation Committee's petitioner's alleged membership Party. Since decide present other grounds, necessary would appropriate reach constitutional question. I. 6 Rule & N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions Rules Procedure provides 'No major shall initiated without approval majority Committee.' XI, par. 26, Representatives requires each keep record all committee actions. There resolution, minute authorizing are concerned. 7 Solicitor General's brief states that: 'Admittedly, direct evidence approved at called testify were part.' A footnote statement concedes 'We do dispute 'major' one therefore required.' Government's only plea avoidance obvious should 'infer' respond part 'continuing investigation' field.4 But clearly impermissible. dealing justification congressional administration. That matter. concerned criminal proceeding. law usual standards must observed, including proper proof essential elements offense.5 Moreover, Congress, enacting 192, specifically indicated relied upon courts apply exacting jurisprudence charges order assure investigative power, when enforced penal sanctions, abused.6 9 hardly disputed specific, properly element offense 192. Russell, held definition 'the basic preliminary question federal (would) have determining been proved.' 'Our decisions pointed out step asked pertinent ascertain what was.' U.S., 756—757, 758—759, S.Ct., 1043—1044. See also Wilkinson 365 399, 407—409, 81 567, 572—573; Deutch 367 456, 467—469, 1587, 1593—1594, 693; Watkins 354 178, 208—215, 77 1173, 1189—1193; Sinclair 279 263, 295—296, 49 268, 272—273. Rumely, 345 41, 73 543, 97 L.Ed. 770, Frankfurter observed resolution defining committee's 'controlling charter' delimits 'right exact testimony.' 44, 545. Cf. 295 298, made 201, 206, 1186, 1189, pertinency 'jurisdictional concept' has itself recognized importance providing vote Committee. When rule relates such importance, strictly observed. Yellin 374 83 1828, 10 778. concededly 'major authorize I, prosecution fail. basis invoking sanctions punish witness cooperate authorized. Indeed, illustrates wisdom requiring Here, absence official statements purpose which, say least, might caused confusion investigation, well inspired respectable doubts legal validity purposes.7 recapitulation relevant facts will demonstrate this: 11 1. On November 19, 1954, about month half appointment Chairman reported having announced 'large public industrial communities' expose active Communists 'a new plan driving Reds important industries.'8 12 2. 14, representative union request postponement, stated us interested seeing your go business.' similar press 15. 13 3. shows newspaper St. Joseph, Michigan, hearing another subpoenaed 'card carrying Communists' 'The rest up community.' story rescheduled precede days representation election, involving union, Joseph. 14 4. Near close testimony hearing, members disavowed any effort 'to break bust unions,' added control unions. 5. At point member then presiding consider relating labor, went refer purposes. said recruited military service Spanish Civil War, method used securing assistance medical profession objectives.' characterize appraise their effect. They insuperable hurdle 'inferring,' Government suggests, particularized rules. Obviously, some purposes exceed bounds sanctions,9 correspond second 'Communist labor.' 17 special significance standing House, narrow mandate. Its charter phrased exceedingly broad language. make investigations un-American subversive 'propaganda' 'propaganda activities' 'all relation thereto aid remedial legislation.' To support generality refined contemplated. Otherwise, possible witnesses judge appropriateness addressed them, judgment requires: accused inquiry.'10 18 appears 'question neither stated. Nor understood, apparently, even themselves. Although outset allude labor' subject-matter declarations variance purported purpose. revised based quicksand. cannot satisfied mere indictment, underpinning recited fact inquiry. draftsman's exercise. II. 19 fatal defect. Activities. Pursuant authorization, 9, 1955, appointed named witnesses, petitioner, called. Neither minutes records committed otherwise described defined terms matter.11 Once again, emphasize express view procedure conducting business. But, once viewpoint process, administration justice, application statute invoked. 20 Viewed perspective, problem admits Courts administering violation mandate agency—here, Subcommittee—unless agency's conferred accordance law. 21 appropriately delegate functions subcommittee members, doubt availability punishment here, fail failed specify undertake. implement so obtained, metes bounds, description Seeger, 303 478 (C.A.2d Cir. 1962). Lamont, F.R.D. 27 (D.C.S.D.N.Y.1955), aff'd, 236 312 1956). conviction obtained subcommittee. establishing like date Subcommittee's As Moore, concurring, put it: 22 'Even most liberal construction transform (this) vesting F.2d, 487. 23 Kamin, 136 F.Supp. 791 (D.C.D.Mass.1956). 24 need delegated attempt this, act.12 Accordingly, if able establish pursuant answer, invoked impose roving commission. body occurred certain. Chief Clark 315, '(link) grant dispensed parent committee.' Reference emphasizes requirement. witness, found guilty contempt, 'been summoned either give exercised Representatives. Watkins, 200—205, 1185—1188. investigatory power vindicated history makes plain chain questioning offense.13 If occurs subcommittee, line plainly explicitly appear, appear respect particular, Weinfeld 32, 25 Senate, Senator Representative, free unless Thus empowered act, further time allegedly defied acting it.' 26 designated subject, authoritative determination section. For foregoing reasons, below Reversed. 29 While concurring opinion, BLACK prefer reverse inquiries amounted unconstitutional encroachment judicial reasons dissent 135, 1097. hearings, counsel filed motion subpoenas vacated 'set aside' among engaged bona fide purpose,' rather destroy officer; 'committee's resolution' 'no determine boundaries power,' event investigation; First Amendment forbids compulsory disclosure political beliefs affiliations. provision, enacted 1857, (with minor changes) reads follows: 'Every produce papers joint established concurrent two Houses willfully default, who, appeared, refuses deemed misdemeanor, punishable fine $1,000 less $100 common jail twelve months.' leading requirement Kilbourn Thompson, 103 168, 377. arise damage suit arising exercise claimed contempt. since character, directing Sergeant-at-Arms imprison contumacious afforded Sergeant protection liability. See, re Chapman, 166 661, 667—670, 677, 679—681, 41 1154; McGrain Daugherty, 273 173—180, 47 319, 328—331, 71 580; 291—295, 271—272, 692; Quinn 349 155, 160—161, 75 668, 672—673, 99 964; 187, 200, 1179, 1185, 1273; 133, 1096, 1115; 410—412, 573—575, 633. note 6, infra. 'intermittently' (Brief Page 4) investigated officer investigation.' However, nowhere continuing appear. event, full occur during term takes place. committees bodies. Anderson Dunn, Wheat. 204, 231, 242; Marshall Gordon, 243 521, 542, 37 448, 453, 61 881. practice adopt Rules—including establishes defines scope authority—at beginning Congress. e.g., 109 Cong.Rec. 88th Cong., 1st Sess. (1963); 101 11, 84th (1955). 208, 1189—1190; 755, 1041—1042; 27, Cir.1956). example, debates Bayard, bore brunt argument bill said: 'It very settled, over subject-matter, proceeding void. course, court justice could compelled want jurisdiction.' Cong.Globe, 34th 3d Sess., 439 (1857). id., 439—440. said, consequence (of Congressional 192), repeatedly emphasized, confer duty accord prosecuted statutory every safeguard accords cases.' 1042. absence—as here—of conflicting presents formidable 'vice vagueness' troubled 209, 1190. grounds. contains following news account, accuracy controverted: 'Rep. Francis E. (D., pa.), take against communists sympathizers, industries. 'He today plans hold large communities where subversives known operating, suspected commies chance glare publicity deny affirm revolutionary conspiracy—or shelter behind amendments. 'By means, exposed neighbors fellow workers, 'and confidence loyal Americans work them job.' 'Hearings nature local areas, Rep. wants bigger, urged invited attend. "We force people know subpena,' workers they foreign conspiracy." emphasized merely sake exposure punishment, particularly area. 1273, stated: exposure.' Id., 1185. 'There private affairs individuals Investigations solely 'punish' indefensible.' 1179. cited 3, supra; see supra. 200—216, 1185—1194, considered bearing status committee, vague charter, failure define charter. refers action taken dates, trial provided source None designates describes authorizes it. dates January 20, 'from appoint subcommittees composed Activities, least whom minority party, constitute quorum, performing acts whole perform.' Thereafter, meeting following: 'Mr. Scherer moved Davis Mates Gojack subpenaed Internal Security (sic) open Fort Wayne, Indiana; Dr. Scharfman (sic—Dr. Shafarman) executive session Indiana. Moulder, Doyle, Indiana, set 1955.' met 23, took place: scheduled discussed. learning National Labor Board election Wayne 24, continued until place D.C. subsequent Wayne. died second. agreed after necessary.' reporting House's certifying Attorney prosecution, retroactive authority. Petitioner's 'duty judged refusal.' 48, 547. pages 406, 409—410, 427, 435 200—201, 1185—1186.

Classification Label: 2