Document: 342 U.S. 277 72 S.Ct. 275 96 L.Ed. 308 UNITED STATESv.HALSETH. No. 91. Argued Nov. 28, 1951. Decided Jan. 7, 1952. Mr. John R. Benney, Washington, D.C., for the United States. Horace J. Donnelly, Jr., appellee. Justice MINTON delivered opinion of Court. 1 Appellee was indicted on eight counts in District Court Eastern Wisconsin violation § 213 Criminal Code 1909, 35 Stat. 1129—1130, 18 U.S.C. 336.* The granted appellee's motion to dismiss indictment, and States appealed directly this Court, pursuant (Supp. IV) 3731, U.S.C.A. 3731. pertinent provisions statute upon which indictment based were as follows: 'No letter, package, postal card, or circular concerning any lottery * similar scheme offering prizes dependent whole part lot chance shall be deposited carried by mails *. Whoever knowingly deposit anything mail section fined imprisoned *.' 2 first count charged that: 'Perry Halseth, knowingly, wilfully unlawfully did cause Miss Lucia Brown a letter prize 3 other identical except name addressee point delivery. 4 For purpose dismiss, parties stipulated particularity that circular, an order blank, punchboard sent mail. subtly indicated how might obtain radio free selling chances certain lucky numbers would reward purchaser with three Rolpoint ball pens.1 contained illustration merchandise won. No mailing. If desired put into operation, could obtained sending full amount cash, down payment $2.00 balance payable delivery, C.O.D. shipment. also informed 'purchased' from appellee at time. 5 held even if these facts had been alleged accepted true still not state offense because mailing concern existing chance. question therefore is whether gambling paraphernalia may used set up statute. 6 passed since time no reported case has found construing it. However, cases analogous statutes, old our law, courts have they apply only lotteries schemes.2 7 In France v. States, 164 676, 17 219, 41 595, conducted Kentucky. After drawing over, persons who interested outcome taken money operators purchased returning across line Ohio; their possession official print number drawn, slips corresponded number, known 'hit slips,' given winners. They arrested conspiracy violate prohibited carrying lines 'any paper, certificate, instrument purporting represent ticket, chance, share, interest event Act March 2, 1895, 28 963. holding defendants violated said: 8 'The already drawn. papers messengers then lottery. 9 'There contradiction testimony, government admits assumes regard information place Kentucky, it result its way hands agents Cincinnati. 10 does cover transaction, and, however reprehensible acts plaintiffs error thought be, we cannot sustain conviction ground. Although objection narrow one, yet, being highly penal, rendering violator liable fine imprisonment, are compelled construe strictly. Full effect language applies kind paper depends yet place, purports etc., described act. urged act within reason statute, answer must so far outside include legislate, legislation.' pages 682—683, page 221. 11 instant case, too, penal strictly construed. We hold words 'concerning lottery' mean existing, going scheme. purport lottery, neither nor engaged operation come existence operation. mere such schemes question. fact, Post Office Department itself covering activity complained here. Beginning 1915, sought amend without success.3 12 Congress before many times what devices exclude interstate commerce,4 recently subject. January 1951, P.L. 906, 64 1134, 15 1171. punchboards added category excluded, make addition. 13 judgment affirmed. 14 Affirmed. DOUGLAS BURTON dissent. 1948 Revised Code, 1301. Actually, four material relating radios pens cameras telescope; but nature mailings same, consider pens. 595; Francis 188 375, 23 334, 47 508; Irvine, 156 F. 376. Report Postmaster General (1915). Hearings April, May June 1950, House Committee Interstate Foreign Commerce S.3357 H.R. 6736, 81st Cong., 2d Sess., 259—260.

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