Amalgamated Meat Cutters & Butcher Workmen of North America v. National Labor Relations Board/Concurrence Frankfurter

by Felix Frankfurter

United States Supreme Court

352 U.S. 153

Amalgamated Meat Cutters & Butcher Workmen of North America  v.  National Labor Relations Board

 Argued: Nov. 14, 1956. --- Decided: Dec 10, 1956

Mr. Justice FRANKFURTER, concurring.

I agree that decompliance of the union is not a sanction authorized by § 9(h). But this case presents another consideration that cannot be overlooked in the due administration of justice and that, standing alone, would lead me to reverse the judgment of the Court of Appeals. As stated below in the dissenting opinion of Judge Stewart:

'A court of competent jurisdiction has found that Gold's affidavit of August 30, 1950, was false. The critical date as to compliance with § 9(h) of the National Labor Relations Act as amended was the date of issuance of the Board's complaint. N.L.R.B. v. Dant, 344 U.S. 375 (73 S.Ct. 375, 97 L.Ed. 407) * * *. If the complaint had issued during the twelve month period while this false affidavit was in effect, the question before us would be clear cut. That, however, is not the case.

affidavit, and it was during the effective period of that affidavit that the complaint in this case issued. No court has found that affidavit to be false. It is true that the Board found in 1954 that the Union was not at that time in compliance with § 9(h). Assuming the Board had power to make such a finding, and assuming further that it be considered a finding that the 1951 affidavit was false, it must, I should think, be supported, like any Board finding, by substantial evidence, considering the record as a whole. We have no such record before us. Indeed, it appears that the question of the truth or falsity of the 1951 affidavit has never been heard on the merits. (Footnote omitted.)

'A jury has found that in 1950 Gold was both a Communist and a liar, to put it bluntly. Yet to indulge in the presumption that he was therefore guilty of committing a criminal offense a year later in filing the 1951 affidavit is further than I can go on the record before us.' 226 F.2d 194, 199-200.

Notes