William O. Douglas

“ Where the language of a statute is plain, unambiguous, and well understood according to its natural and ordinary sense and meaning, the statute itself furnishes a rule of construction beyond which the court cannot go. ”

“ The present statute says that the refusal to take the oath 'on any grounds' shall be cause for 'immediate termination' of employment. The Supreme Court of Washington has held that the oath stating whether the employee is or is not a member of a 'subversive organization' includes 'the element of scienter.' [1] Yet neither knowing members nor innocent members are excused from taking the oath. A hearing 'at which the employee can explain or defend his refusal to take the oath,' to use the words of the Court, would seem therefore to serve no function under this type of statute. ”

“ A person 'lawfully authorized,' the court decided and we agree, is a person carrying some express authority to go upon the premises, as a law enforcement officer, narcotic agent, or the like, and not one who goes upon some lawful business but without express authority.' (Italics added.) ”