Legal Document

380 U.S. 513 85 Supreme Court Reporter 1153 14 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 46 VETERANS OF the ABRAHAM LINCOLN BRIGADE, Petitioner,v.SUBVERSIVE ACTIVITIES CONTROL BOARD. Number 65. Argued Dec. 9, 1964. Decided April 26, 1965. Leonard baron Boudin, Washington, D.C., for petitioner. Kevin T. Maroney and Bruce Judge Terris, respondent. PER CURIAM. 1 Petitioner was ordered by Subversive Activities Control Board to register as a Communist-front organization under § 7 of Acitvities Act 1950, amended, 64 Statutes-at-Large 993, 50 Code KF62 786 (1958 ed.), Appeals District Columbia Circuit affirmed. 117 U.S.App.D.C. 404, 331 Federal Reporter, 2nd 64. We granted certiorari, 377 989, 84 1916, 12 1043. In this case, order based almost exclusively on events before very largely 1940. The hearings themselves were concluded in November 1954, more than 10 years ago. On so stale record we do not think it is either necessary or appropriate that decide serious constitutional questions raised order. See American Committee Protection Foreign Born versus Board, 503, 1148. judgment vacated cause remanded proceedings consistent with opinion. 2 It ordered. 3 Judgment remanded. 4 Mr. Justice WHITE took no part decision case. 5 DOUGLAS, whom BLACK HARLAN concur, dissenting. 6 & N Immigration Nationality Decisions case ripe decision. controversy real, feigned. All relevant facts one needs know resolve question are exposed present record. This famous brigade Americans who fought Spanish Civil War against Franco. Approximately 3,000 youths members; these only about 1,800 survived. formed 1939 an unincorporated association incorporated 1940 laws New York, its charter being forfeited 1952 failure file required reports. 8 detailed. Appeals, which sustained finding petitioner 'Communist-front organization' within meaning 3(4) 782(4) (117 64), spoke 'the tremendous volume record' 'almost numberless facets fact involved.' Id., at 413, F.2d, 73. history formation Brigade, relationship Communist Party Communists, manner international brigades kind employed role Communists forming affiliations officers ideas program promoted Brigade's official organ, Volunteer Liberty, efforts Brigade get members unions, offices, factories where unit functionary located, extent responded discipline, aided supported Party—all fully explored. 9 Since 1950 affairs have been run entirely Executive Secretary National Commander. activities consisted principally social affairs, rehabilitating resettling veterans getting them employment, making statements opposition Franco regime, supporting indicted Smith Act, defending itself proceeding. proceeding started 1953, when Attorney General petitioned requiring organization. Hearings commenced May 3, ended 16, 1954. Over year later issued registration report final dated December 21, 1955. opinion comes eight later* 17, 1963. 11 But suggests there any basic changes pattern since Board's Court's judgment. found difficulty concluding date continued be what had past: 'The 1950—1954 factually isolated. operate after 1950. same occupied offices. publish magazine. character tone declarations upon subjects dealt those always utilized. So factually, record, post-1950 policies appear continued, although diminished, stream, rather separate, new phase life.' U.S.App.D.C., 412—413, 72—73. 13 None parties us has suggested incomplete; noted my dissenting 507, 1151, contains special provision covering contingency. need told counsel once was, still is. There way passage time. And membership renewed but depleted. Its membership, noted, made up mortality table caused list shrink will continue shrink. 1955 600 survivors all Hence some months return 15 With due respect, indefensible important tendered here now. * Communist-action product litigation terminated June 5, 1961, 367 1, 81 1357, 625. That progress between 1961; Communist- action result held pending outcome litigation. 406, 64, 66. then argued October 1962, rendered

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