keyishian board regents argued november decided january appellants faculty members state university new york nonfaculty employee brought action declaratory injunctive relief claiming new york teacher loyalty laws regulations unconstitutional continued employment terminated threatened appellant faculty member refused comply requirement university trustees certify communist ever one advised university president nonfaculty employee refused state oath whether advocated member group advocated forceful overthrow government new york education law treasonable seditious utterances acts grounds dismissal public school system well subd civil service law provisions civil service law disqualify civil service employment educational system person advocating involved distribution written material advocates forceful overthrow government section define treasonable seditious section subd provides treasonable word act shall mean treason defined penal law seditious word act shall mean criminal anarchy therein defined section feinberg law education law requires state board regents issue regulations disqualification removal loyalty grounds faculty personnel state educational system make list subversive organizations provide membership therein constitutes prima facie evidence disqualification employment board listed national state communist parties subversive organizations law shortly trial case university trustees certificate requirement rescinded announced person ineligible employment solely refused sign certificate education law civil service law constituted part employment contract district sustained constitutionality provisions appellants challenges vagueness overbreadth dismissed complaint held adler board education upheld aspects new york teacher loyalty plan extension state institutions higher learning controlling vagueness issue presented involving decided adler validity subversive organization membership provision upheld reasons subsequently rejected pp rescission certificate requirement moot case substance statutory regulatory complex challenged appellants remains section education law subds civil service law implemented machinery created pursuant education law unconstitutionally vague since teacher know education law subd civil service law constitutes boundary seditious nonseditious utterances acts provisions may well prohibit employment one advocates doctrine abstractly without attempt incite others action may construed cover mere expression belief pp provisions interpreted new york courts stifling effect free play spirit teachers especially cultivate practice wieman updegraff concurring opinion pp academic freedom special concern first amendment tolerate laws cast pall orthodoxy classroom prolixity profusion statutes regulations administrative machinery manifold enactments rules aggravate problem vagueness wording provisions civil service law subd education law subd make communist party membership prima facie evidence disqualification employment public school system overbroad therefore unconstitutional pp constitutional doctrine upholding subd adler rejected major premise public employment may conditioned upon surrender constitutional rights abridged direct government action mere knowing membership without specific intent unlawful aims organization constitutionally adequate basis imposing sanctions pp richard lipsitz argued cause appellants briefs rosario di lorenzo ruth iles assistant attorney general new york argued cause appellees board regents et al brief louis lefkowitz attorney general ruth kessler toch acting solicitor general john crary argued cause filed brief appellees board trustees state university new york et al osmond fraenkel filed brief american civil liberties union et amici curiae urging reversal ralph fuchs bernard wolfman herman orentlicher filed brief american association university professors amicus curiae justice brennan delivered opinion appellants members faculty privately owned operated university buffalo became state employees university merged state university new york institution higher education owned operated state new york faculty members state university continued employment conditioned upon compliance new york plan formulated partly statutes partly administrative regulations state utilizes prevent appointment retention subversive persons state employment appellants hochfield maud assistant professors english appellant keyishian instructor english appellant garver lecturer philosophy refused sign regulations effect required certificate communist ever communist communicated fact president state university new york notified failure sign certificate require dismissal keyishian contract renewed failure sign certificate hochfield garver whose contracts still time run continue teach subject proceedings dismissal constitutionality new york plan sustained maud voluntarily resigned therefore longer standing suit appellant starbuck nonfaculty library employee lecturer english personnel classification required sign certificate required answer writing oath question ever advised taught ever member society group persons taught advocated doctrine government political subdivisions thereof overthrown overturned force violence unlawful means starbuck refused answer question result dismissed appellants brought action declaratory injunctive relief alleging state program violated federal constitution various respects federal held program constitutional supp noted probable jurisdiction appellants appeal reverse considered aspects constitutionality new york plan years ago adler board education litigation arose new york passed feinberg law added education law feinberg law enacted implement enforce two earlier statutes first law education law utterance treasonable seditious word words treasonable seditious act ground dismissal public school system second law civil service law adler decided amended law law disqualifies civil service employment educational system person advocates overthrow government force violence unlawful means publishes material advocating overthrow organizes joins society group persons advocating doctrine feinberg law charged state board regents duty promulgating rules regulations providing procedures disqualification removal persons public school system violate law ineligible appointment retention public school system law board regents directed make list notice hearing subversive organizations defined organizations advocate doctrine overthrow government force violence unlawful means finally board directed provide rules regulations membership listed organization constitute prima facie evidence disqualification appointment retention office position public schools state board regents thereupon promulgated rules regulations containing procedures followed appointing authorities discover persons ineligible appointment retention law violation law board also announced intention list subversive organizations requisite notice hearing provided membership listed organization date listing regarded constituting prima facie evidence disqualification membership prior listing presumptive evidence membership continued absence showing membership terminated good faith regulations appointing official forbidden make appointment first inquired applicant former employers persons ascertain whether applicant disqualified ineligible appointment addition annual inquiry must made determine whether appointed employee ceased qualified retention report findings must filed adler declaratory judgment suit held effect constitutional infirmity former feinberg law faces capable constitutional application contention urged case unconstitutionally vague heard decided section education law challenged adler unconstitutionally vague challenge made pleadings proceedings lower courts refused consider challenge grounds vagueness made adler subdivisions civil service law subdivision added appellants case timely asserted unconstitutionality sections grounds vagueness question properly us decision moreover extent adler sustained provision feinberg law constituting membership organization advocating forceful overthrow government ground disqualification pertinent constitutional doctrines since rejected premises upon conclusion rested adler therefore dispositive constitutional issues must decide case ii amendment extended application feinberg law personnel college institution higher education owned operated state subdivisions year board regents notice hearing listed communist party state new york subversive organizations applicant appointment renewal appointment required sign feinberg certificate declaring read regents rules understood rules statutes constituted terms employment declaring member communist party ever member communicated fact president state university certificate appellants hochfield maud keyishian garver refused sign june shortly trial case feinberg certificate rescinded announced person employed deemed ineligible continued employment solely refused sign certificate lieu certificate provided applicant informed assuming duties statutes education law civil service law constituted part contract particularly informed disqualification flowed membership listed subversive organization announcement provides question arise course inquiry candidate may request personal interview refusal candidate answer question relevant inquiry officer shall sufficient ground refuse make recommend appointment brochure also given new applicants outlines explains briefly legal effect statutes invites applicant may question possible disqualification request interview covering announcement concludes prospective appointee believe disqualified need take affirmative action disclaimer oath required change procedure wise moots appellants constitutional questions raised context refusal sign abandoned feinberg certificate substance statutory regulatory complex remains outset appellants basic claim aggrieved application iii section requires removal treasonable seditious utterances acts amendment civil service law subdivision section added utterances acts ground removal law also wording used statutes utterance treasonable seditious word words treasonable seditious act acts shall ground removal vital difference two laws section define terms treasonable seditious used section contrast subdivision civil service law provides terms treasonable word act shall mean treason defined penal law terms seditious word act shall mean criminal anarchy defined penal law experience sedition act stat taught us dangers fatal first amendment freedoms inhere word seditious see new york times sullivan word treasonable left undefined less dangerously uncertain thus becomes important whether despite omission similar reference penal law words used section read meaning mean subdivision read broadly constitute utterances acts seditious treasonable regarded purposes even assuming treasonable seditious subd meaning uncertainty hardly removed definition treasonable penal law presents particular problem difficulty centers upon meaning seditious subdivision equates term seditious criminal anarchy defined penal law reference penal law defining criminal anarchy doctrine organized government overthrown force violence assassination executive head executive officials government unlawful means section ends sentence advocacy doctrine either word mouth writing felony sentence draw penal law proscribing advocacy criminal anarchy possible scope seditious utterances acts virtually limit penal law one commits felony advocating criminal anarchy publicly displays book containing advocating advising teaching doctrine organized government overthrown force violence unlawful means teacher carries copy communist manifesto public street thereby advocate criminal anarchy answer say statute applied case gainsay potential effect obscure wording conscientious scrupulous regard undertakings baggett bullitt even certain definition referred solely penal law scope still remains indefinite teacher know extent seditious utterance must transcend mere statement abstract doctrine extent must intended tend indoctrinate incite action furtherance defined doctrine crucial consideration teacher know line drawn seditious nonseditious utterances acts provisions also defect vagueness subdivision bars employment person word mouth writing wilfully deliberately advocates advises teaches doctrine forceful overthrow government provision plainly susceptible sweeping improper application may well prohibit employment one merely advocates doctrine abstract without attempt indoctrinate others incite others action furtherance unlawful aims see herndon lowry yates noto scales prohibiting advising doctrine unlawful overthrow statute prohibit mere advising existence doctrine advising another support doctrine since advocacy doctrine forceful overthrow separately prohibited need person teaching advising doctrine advocate teacher informs class precepts marxism declaration independence violate prohibition similar uncertainty arises application subdivision subsection requires disqualification employee involved distribution written material containing advocating advising teaching doctrine forceful overthrow advocates advises teaches embraces duty necessity propriety adopting doctrine contained therein mere advocacy abstract doctrine apparently included prohibition distribution matter containing doctrine bar histories evolution marxist doctrine tracing background french american russian revolutions additional requirement person participating distribution material one advocates advises teaches embraces duty necessity propriety adopting doctrine forceful overthrow alleviate uncertainty scope section exacerbates like language subd language may reasonably construed cover mere expression belief example university librarian recommends reading materials thereby advocate propriety adopting doctrine contained therein benefit judicial gloss new york courts enlightening us scope complicated plan light intricate administrative machinery enforcement surprising intricacy plan uncertainty scope proscriptions make highly efficient terrorem mechanism bold teacher stay far possible utterances acts might jeopardize living enmeshing intricate machinery uncertainty utterances acts proscribed increases caution believe written law means says baggett bullitt supra result must stifle free play spirit teachers especially cultivate practice probability enhanced provisions requiring annual review every teacher determine whether utterance act inside classroom came within sanctions laws memorandum warns employees statutes subversive activities may take form writing articles distribution pamphlets endorsement speeches made articles written acts performed others reminds primary duty school authorities school district take positive action eliminate school system teacher whose case evidence guilty subversive activity school authorities obligation proceed immediately conclusively every case doubt legitimacy new york interest protecting education system subversion even though governmental purpose legitimate substantial purpose pursued means broadly stifle fundamental personal liberties end narrowly achieved shelton tucker principle inapplicable legislation aimed keeping subversives teaching ranks de jonge oregon said greater importance safeguarding community incitements overthrow institutions force violence imperative need preserve inviolate constitutional rights free speech free press free assembly order maintain opportunity free political discussion end government may responsive people changes desired may obtained peaceful means therein lies security republic foundation constitutional government essentiality freedom community american universities almost one underestimate vital role democracy played guide train youth impose strait jacket upon intellectual leaders colleges universities imperil future nation field education thoroughly comprehended man new discoveries yet made particularly true social sciences principles accepted absolutes scholarship flourish atmosphere suspicion distrust teachers students must always remain free inquire study evaluate gain new maturity understanding otherwise civilization stagnate die regulatory maze created new york wholly lacking terms susceptible objective measurement cramp board public instruction supra quality extraordinary ambiguity found fatal oaths considered cramp baggett bullitt en common intelligence must necessarily guess meaning differ application baggett bullitt supra vagueness wording aggravated prolixity profusion statutes regulations administrative machinery manifold interrelated enactments rules therefore hold education law subdivisions civil service law implemented machinery created pursuant education law unconstitutional iv appellants also challenged constitutionality discrete provisions subdivision subdivision feinberg law make communist party membership prima facie evidence disqualification provision added subdivision board regents following notice hearing listed communist party communist party state new york subversive organizations subdivision feinberg law however adler constitutionality sustained constitutional doctrine emerged since decision rejected major premise premise public employment including academic employment may conditioned upon surrender constitutional rights abridged direct government action teachers said adler may work school system upon reasonable terms laid proper authorities new york choose work terms liberty retain beliefs associations go elsewhere also stated teacher denied employment membership listed organization thereby denied right free speech assembly freedom choice membership organization employment school system might limited freedom speech assembly except remote sense limitation inherent every choice however appeals second circuit correctly said earlier stage case theory public employment may denied altogether may subjected conditions regardless unreasonable uniformly rejected keyishian board regents indeed theory expressly rejected series decisions following adler see wieman updegraff slochower board education cramp board public instruction supra baggett bullitt supra shelton tucker supra speiser randall supra see also schware board bar examiners torcaso watkins sherbert verner said late day doubt liberties religion expression may infringed denial placing conditions upon benefit privilege proceed question validity provisions subdivision subdivision barring employment members listed organizations constitutional doctrine developed since adler mere knowing membership without specific intent unlawful aims organization constitutionally adequate basis exclusion positions held appellants elfbrandt russell said join organization share unlawful purposes participate unlawful activities surely pose threat either citizens public employees struck statutorily required oath binding state employee become member communist party knowledge unlawful purpose threat discharge perjury prosecution oath violated found ny lingering doubt proscription mere knowing membership without showing specific intent run afoul constitution set rest decision aptheker secretary state elfbrandt russell supra aptheker held party membership without knowledge party unlawful purposes specific intent unlawful aims constitutionally warrant deprivation right travel abroad said schneiderman nder traditions beliefs personal matter mere association men adhering political party organization subscribe unqualifiedly platforms asserted principles law applies membership without specific intent illegal aims organization infringes unnecessarily protected freedoms rests doctrine guilt association place elfbrandt supra thus mere party membership even knowledge party unlawful goals suffice justify criminal punishment see scales noto yates may warrant finding moral unfitness justifying disbarment schware board bar examiners limitations clearly apply provision like subd blankets state employees regardless sensitivity positions even feinberg law provision applicable primarily activities teachers captive audiences young minds subject limitations favor freedom expression association stifling effect academic mind curtailing freedom association manner manifest documented recent studies elfbrandt aptheker state governing standard legislation sanctions membership unaccompanied specific intent unlawful goals organization active membership violates constitutional limitations measured standard civil service law subd education law subd sweep overbroadly association may proscribed presumption disqualification arising proof mere membership may rebutted denial membership denial organization advocates overthrow government force denial teacher knowledge advocacy lederman board education app div aff thus proof nonactive membership showing absence intent unlawful aims rebut presumption defeat dismissal emphasized official administrative interpretations example said letter addressed prospective appointees president state university note law regulations specifically directed toward elimination nonappointment communists teaching ranks feinberg certificate even explicit anyone member communist party organization advocates violent overthrow government state new york political subdivision thereof employed state university emphasis supplied official administrative interpretation supported legislative preamble feinberg law legislature concludes result findings essential laws prohibiting persons members subversive groups communist party affiliated organizations obtaining retaining employment public schools rigorously enforced emphasis supplied thus subd subd suffer impermissible overbreadth elfbrandt russell supra aptheker secretary state supra button supra saia new york schneider state lovell griffin cf hague see generally dombrowski pfister seek bar employment association legitimately may proscribed association may proscribed consistently first amendment rights statutes overbroad sweep vague hazard loss substantial impairment precious rights may critical dombrowski pfister supra since covered statute bound limit behavior unquestionably safe said shelton tucker supra breadth legislative abridgment must viewed light less drastic means achieving basic purpose therefore hold civil service law subd education law subd invalid insofar proscribe mere knowing membership without showing specific intent unlawful aims communist party state new york judgment district reversed case remanded proceedings consistent opinion reversed remanded appendix opinion civil service law ineligibility persons advocating overthrow government force unlawful means person shall appointed office position service state civil division thereof shall person employed office position continued employment shall person employed public service superintendent principal teacher public school academy state college state educational institution word mouth writing wilfully deliberately advocates advises teaches doctrine government state political subdivision thereof overthrown overturned force violence unlawful means prints publishes edits issues sells book paper document written printed matter form containing advocating advising teaching doctrine government state political subdivision thereof overthrown force violence unlawful means advocates advises teaches embraces duty necessity propriety adopting doctrine contained therein organizes helps organize becomes member society group persons teaches advocates government state political subdivision thereof shall overthrown force violence unlawful means purposes section membership communist party america communist party state new york shall constitute prima facie evidence disqualification appointment retention office position service state city civil division thereof person dismissed declared ineligible pursuant section may within four months dismissal declaration ineligibility entitled petition order show cause signed justice hearing charges final judgment said hearing entered order show cause shall stay effect order dismissal ineligibility based provisions section provided however stay person dismissed shall suspended without pay final determination shall favor shall restored position pay period suspension less amount compensation may earned employment occupation unemployment insurance benefits may received period hearing shall consist taking testimony open opportunity cross examination burden sustaining validity order dismissal ineligibility fair preponderance credible evidence shall upon person making dismissal order ineligibility removal treasonable seditious acts utterances person civil service state civil division thereof shall removable therefrom utterance treasonable seditious word words treasonable seditious act acts holding position purpose subdivision treasonable word act shall mean treason defined penal law seditious word act shall mean criminal anarchy defined penal law education law person employed superintendent schools teacher employee public schools city school district state shall removed position utterance treasonable seditious word words treasonable seditious act acts holding position elimination subversive persons public school system board regents shall adopt promulgate enforce rules regulations disqualification removal superintendents schools teachers employees public schools city school district state faculty members personnel employees college institution higher education owned operated state subdivision thereof violate provisions section three thousand article ineligible appointment retention office position public schools institutions higher education grounds set forth section civil service law shall provide therein appropriate methods procedure enforcement sections article civil service law board regents shall inquiry notice hearing may appropriate make listing organizations finds subversive advocate advise teach embrace doctrine government state political subdivision thereof shall overthrown overturned force violence unlawful means advocate advise teach embrace duty necessity propriety adopting doctrine set forth section civil service law listings may amended revised time time board making inquiry may utilize similar listings designations promulgated federal agency authority authorized federal law regulation executive order purposes inquiry board may request receive federal agencies authorities supporting material evidence may made available board regents shall provide rules regulations required subdivision one hereof membership organization included listing made shall constitute prima facie evidence disqualification appointment retention office position public schools state board regents shall annually fifteenth day february separate report render legislature full statement measures taken enforcement provisions law require compliance therewith reports shall contain description surveys made board regents time time may appropriate ascertain extent provisions law enforced city school districts state rules board regents adopted july article xviii subversive activities school authorities school district shall take necessary action put effect following procedures disqualification removal superintendents teachers employes violate provisions section education law section civil service law prior appointment superintendent teacher employe nominating official addition making due inquiry candidate academic record professional training experience personal qualities shall inquire prior employers persons may position furnish pertinent information whether candidate known violated aforesaid statutory provisions including provisions respect membership organizations listed board regents subversive accordance paragraph hereof person found violated said statutory provisions shall eligible employment school authorities shall require one officials employ shall designate purpose submit writing later october later september school year thereafter report teacher employe report shall either state evidence indicating teacher employe violated statutory provisions herein referred including provisions respect membership organizations listed regents subversive accordance paragraph hereof evidence indicating violation said statutory provisions including membership subversive organization recommend action taken dismiss teacher employe ground specified violation violations law school authorities shall prepare reports superintendent schools officials may directly responsible including officials designated accordance subdivision paragraph school authorities shall proceed promptly possible event within days submission recommendations required subdivision paragraph either prefer formal charges superintendents teachers employes evidence justifies action reject recommendations action following determination required subdivision paragraph school authorities shall immediately institute proceedings dismissal superintendents teachers employes cases judgment evidence indicates violation statutory provisions herein referred proceedings persons serving probation tenure appropriate statutory procedure dismissal shall followed proceedings persons serving contract provisions tenure law school authorities shall conduct hearings charges deem exigencies warrant taking final action dismissal cases rights fair trial representation counsel appeal review provided statute constitution shall scrupulously observed pursuant chapter laws board regents issue list may amended revised time time organizations board finds subversive advocate advise teach embrace doctrine government state political subdivision thereof shall overthrown overturned force violence unlawful means advocate advise teach embrace duty necessity propriety adopting doctrine set forth section civil service law evidence membership organization listed tenth day subsequent date official promulgation list shall constitute prima facie evidence disqualification appointment retention office position school system evidence membership organization prior said day shall presumptive evidence membership continued absence showing membership terminated good faith first day december year school authorities school district shall render commissioner education full report officially adopted school authorities signed presiding officer measures taken enforcement regulations calendar year ending day october preceding report shall include statement total number superintendents teachers employes employ school district number superintendents teachers employes school authorities officials designated reported evidence indicating employes violated statutory provisions herein referred including provisions respect membership organizations listed regents subversive number superintendents teachers employes whose cases school authorities officials designated recommended action taken dismiss employes question grounds specified violations law evidence membership subversive organization report shall also include group listed statement number cases charges preferred status final disposition cases number cases school authorities concluded evidence reported designated officials warrant preferring charges number cases school authorities determined october school year question action taken immediately upon finding school authorities person disqualified appointment retention employment regulations said school authorities shall report commissioner education name person evidence supporting disqualification including transcript official records hearings charges conducted penal law criminal anarchy doctrine organized government overthrown force violence assassination executive head executive officials government unlawful means advocacy doctrine either word mouth writing felony advocacy criminal anarchy person word mouth writing advocates advises teaches duty necessity propriety overthrowing overturning organized government force violence assassination executive head executive officials government unlawful means prints publishes edits issues knowingly circulates sells distributes publicly displays book paper document written printed matter form containing advocating advising teaching doctrine organized government overthrown force violence unlawful means openly wilfully deliberately justifies word mouth writing assassination unlawful killing assaulting executive officer state civilized nation organized government official character crime intent teach spread advocate propriety doctrines criminal anarchy organizes helps organize becomes member voluntarily assembles society group assembly persons formed teach advocate doctrine guilty felony punishable imprisonment ten years fine five thousand dollars resolutions board trustees state university new york resolved resolution adopted october incorporated policies board trustees section title article xi thereof procedure new academic appointments therein referred hereby rescinded resolved title article xi policies board trustees amended adding new section thereto read follows procedure appointments initial appointment shall hereafter made position certified professional service university pursuant section civil service law officer authorized make appointment make initial recommendation therefor shall send give prospective appointee statement prepared president concisely explaining disqualification imposed section civil service law section education law rules board regents thereunder including presumption disqualification reason membership organizations listed board regents officer addition due inquiry candidate record professional training experience personal qualities shall make cause made inquiry may needed satisfy whether candidate disqualified provisions statute rules question arise course inquiry candidate may request officer may require personal interview refusal candidate answer question relevant inquiry officer shall sufficient ground refuse make recommend appointment appointment recommendation appointment shall constitute certification appointing recommending officer due inquiry made finds reason believe candidate disqualified appointment resolved person presently employed heretofore employed university failed sign certificate required procedure new academic appointments adopted october shall deemed disqualified ineligible solely reason failure appointment reappointment professional service university manner provided new section title article xi policies board trustees adopted resolution day resolved person presently employed university shall deemed ineligible disqualified continuance employment prescribed term thereof subject charges misconduct solely reason failure provided found qualified continuance chief administrative officer institution employed accordance procedures prescribed said new section title article xi policies board trustees section section footnotes district initially refused convene supp reversed appeals second circuit history new york legislation including feinberg law see chamberlain loyalty legislative action author article gellhorn subversion sole vagueness contention adler concerned word subversive appearing preamble caption merit suggestion advanced attorney general new york first time brief education law subd civil service law pertinent inquiry section education law incorporates reference provisions thereby rendering applicable faculty members colleges institutions higher education one reasons appeals ordered convening substantial federal question presented fact adler refused pass upon constitutionality section several statutory amendments section civil service law subsequent adler also properly found provisions applicable appellants holding constitutional significant appellees consistently defended constitutionality sections courts moreover rendered decision upon basis stipulation fact paragraph recites section incorporates full reference implements section civil service law section new york state education law follows subdivision section amended directs board regents adopt enforce rules regulations elimination persons barred employment public school system college institution higher education owned state new york political subdivision thereof reason violation provisions section civil service law section new york state education law penal law replaced effective september single provision entitled criminal advocacy new york state legislative committee public employee security procedures describing provision noted disqualifying employment advocate teach doctrine violent overthrow government distinguished language smith act construed make criminal incite action forcible overthrow government teach abstract doctrine forcible overthrow yates state legis annual compare smith act punishes one prints publishes edits issues circulates sells distributes publicly displays written printed matter advocating advising teaching duty necessity desirability propriety unlawful overthrow provided shown intent cause overthrow destruction government case abstention pending state interpretation appropriate baggett bullitt supra dombrowski pfister wieman updegraff frankfurter concurring whether loss public employment constitutes punishment cf lovett doubt repressive impact threat discharge less direct substantial see lazarsfeld thielens academic mind biddle fear freedom et seq jahoda cook security measures freedom thought exploratory study impact loyalty security programs yale see generally maciver academic freedom time hullfish educational freedom age anxiety konvitz expanding liberties morris academic freedom loyalty oaths law contemp prob light disposition need consider appellants contention burden placed employee coming forward substantial rebutting evidence upon proof membership listed organization constitutionally impermissible compare speiser randall justice clark justice harlan justice stewart justice white join dissenting blunderbuss fashion majority couches artillery words together morass cases cites authority obscurity application question hand makes difficult grasp true thrust decision outset therefore necessary focus basis declaratory judgment action testing application feinberg law appellants certificate statement required board trustees state university upon appellants base attack case tried abandoned board longer required made despite fact majority proceeds decision striking new york feinberg law statutes applied appellants basis old certificate statement explain statute applied appellants procedures almost two years dead letter issues posed therefore purely abstract entirely speculative character circumstances past refused pass upon constitutional questions addition appellants neither exhausted administrative remedies pursued remedy judicial review agency action provided earlier subdivision civil service law finally one sections stricken subd amended revision terms become effective september laws revised penal law old certificate upon majority operates required appellants save starbuck answer query whether communists whether communicated fact president state university starbuck required answer whether ever advised taught member group taught advocated doctrine government political subdivisions overthrown force violence unlawful means refused comply nonexistent frame reference majority proceeds act clear feinberg law found constitutional infirmity given death blow today majority finds doubt legitimacy new york interest protecting education system subversion also doubt new york effort regardless correctness neither new york several followed teaching adler board education years ever put pieces together ever reached far destroy much little section education law authorizes removal superintendents teachers employees public schools city school district new york utterance treasonable seditious word words also struck even though apply appellants shall discuss also declared unconstitutional subdivisions civil service law prevent appointment authorize discharge superintendent principal teacher part new york public education establishment wilfully advocates advises teaches doctrine government state political subdivision thereof overthrown force violence unlawful means prints publishes edits issues sells book paper document written printed matter form containing doctrine advocates advises teaches embraces duty necessity propriety adopting doctrine contained therein organizes helps organize becomes member society group teaches advocates doctrine latter provision amended still part civil service law make membership communist party prima facie proof disqualification language advocate advise teach obviously springs federal statutes particularly smith act stat approved dennis state statutes similar character language approved see garner board public works los angeles beilan board education lastly stricken subdivision authorizes discharge person civil service state civil division thereof utters treasonable seditious word commits treasonable seditious act although subdivision never part feinberg law new york specifically disclaims applicability appellants addition pass upon law applied state never attempted renounces application appellants ii since least approved procedures either identical least similar ones condemns today garner board public works los angeles supra held public employer precluded simply agency state inquiring employees matters may prove relevant fitness suitability public service oath used practically language starbuck statement affidavit reflects type inquiry made old certificate condemned adler board education supra passed upon identical statute condemned declaratory judgment action case however issues abstractly framed late brother minton wrote teacher works sensitive area schoolroom shapes attitude young minds towards society live state vital concern must preserve integrity schools school authorities right duty screen officials teachers employees fitness maintain integrity schools part ordered society doubted engaging teaching public schools petitioner give right freedom belief speech association however undertake obligations frankness candor cooperation answering inquiries made employing board examining fitness serve public school teacher since time adler line cases cited approval shelton tucker adler beilan quoted approval garner lerner cited like manner likewise cramp board public instruction adler quoted twice approval related field employee discharged refusal answer questions loyalty ordered nelson los angeles county cited approval cases today says rejected garner adler beilan lerner later konigsberg state bar likewise cited approval beilan garner decision anastaplo garner beilan lerner referred finally three terms ago brother white relied upon cramp turn cited adler approval twice see baggett bullitt view long list decisions covering years history opinion even questioned validity adler line cases strange finds constitutional doctrine emerged since rejected adler major premise due respect read cases done thing iii majority also finds adler pass upon education law subdivision civil service law upon vagueness questions subdivisions discuss section applicable appellants attorney general lefkowitz new york says behalf state board regents civil service commission section terms applies superintendents teachers employees public schools city school district state apply teachers state university likewise subdivision also inapplicable derived civil service law latter provision books time feinberg law well adler decided feinberg law referred civil service law section later recodified subdivisions civil service law section subd deals civil divisions civil service state attorney general tells us law us qualifications college level personnel covered civil service attorney general also advises superintendent teacher employee educational system ever charged violating subd seems building straw men majority also says challenge vagueness points passed upon adler careful examination briefs case casts considerable doubt conclusion appellants brief point adler question stated language statutes regulations issued thereunder violate due process clause fourteenth amendment vagueness certainly word subversive attacked vague finds definite meaning namely organization teaches advocates overthrow government force violence significantly language subdivisions majority finds vague covering one merely advocates doctrine abstract citing criminal cases herndon lowry books long adler line cases also significant fact adler opinion last sentence find constitutional infirmity subdivisions civil service law new york feinberg law implemented iv even adler decide questions obliged answer way portion feinberg law majority says covered applicable appellants subd teachers advocate advise teach doctrine overthrow government force violence either orally writing identical conduct condemned dennis supra found exact verbiage unconstitutionally vague finding course affected decision yates majority makes much horribles might arise subdivision condemns printing publishing selling matter containing doctrine majority fails state action condemned teacher also personally advocates advises teaches necessity propriety adopting doctrine places subdivision footing true subdivision teacher organizes helps organize becomes member organization teaches advocates doctrine scienter also necessary ingredient opinion garner supra moreover membership prima facie evidence disqualification rebutted leaving burden proof state furthermore procedures protected adversary hearing full judicial review light considerations strained unbelievable suppositions majority poses hardly occur said dennis supra convinced may borderline cases state prohibited protections seeks doubt one intent nature activities assume administrative boards give full protection furthermore courts always sit make certain done majority says feinberg law bad overbroad sweep regret say deference majority broadside swept away one precious rights namely right public educational system genius democracy minds youth developed character development determine future land indeed existence depends upon issue narrow one freedom speech freedom thought freedom press freedom assembly association even communist party simply may state provide one hearing full judicial review found wilfully deliberately advocated advised taught government overthrown force violence unlawful means wilfully deliberately printed published book paper advocated personally advocated doctrine wilfully deliberately become member organization advocates doctrine prima facie disqualified teaching university answer keeping cases today yes dissent points stipulation counsel incorporates feinberg law however attorney general lefkowitz sign stipulation addendum thereto agreed constituted record fact law brief contends incorporated law legislature course body incorporate feinberg law done