Document: 333 U.S. 178 68 S.Ct. 591 92 L.Ed.6 28 DONALDSON, Postmaster General,v.READ MAGAZINE, Inc., et al. No. 50. Reargued Jan. 5, 1948. Decided March 8, Mr. Robert L. Stern, of Washington, D.C., for petitioner. John W. Burke, Jr., New York City, respondents. Justice BLACK delivered the opinion Court. 1 This case presents questions as to validity an order issued by petitioner, General, which directed that mail addressed some respondents be returned senders marked 'Fraudulent,' and postal money sums payable their remitters. 2 The respondent Publishers Service Company has conducted many contests promote circulation newspapers in it advertised prizes would given solution puzzles. Through its corporate subsidiaries, Literary Classics, Read Magazine, publishes books two monthly magazines called Facts. place business is City. 3 In 1945 sales put on a nationally project, known Facts Magazine Hall Fame Puzzle Contest. General after hearing found 'upon evidence satisfactory him' 'puzzle contest' was 'a scheme or device obtaining through mails means false fraudulent pretenses, representations, promises, violation sections 259 732 title 39, United States Code * *.' Specifically, representations were principal reasons. First, prospective contestants falsely led believe they might eligible win upon payment $3 maximum sum when reality minimum requirement $9, later developed finally pay much $42 increased prize offers. Second, though contest emphasized advertisements not puzzle contest; knew from experience puzzles so easy people solve all 'puzzles' awarded only result tie-breaking letter-essay deliberately misled concerning these facts artfully composed advertisements. 4 under immediate supervision Henry Walsh Lee Judith S. Johnson, editor-in-chief 'contest editor' respectively General's original fraud related orders 5 'Puzzle Contest, Magazine; Contest Editor, Editor; Miss J. Lee, Editor Chief, officers agents such, at York, York.' 6 Respondents filed complaint District Court Columbia enjoin enforcement order. They alleged invalidity grounds there no substantial support findings fraud, statutory provisions authorize act censor hence violate First Amendment. temporary restraining but pending further should deposit court moneys proceeds checks received qualifying fees After respondents' motion summary judgment granted ground supported evidence. 63 F.Supp. 318. Appeals affirmed same ground, one judge dissenting. 81 U.S.App.D.C. 339, 158 F.2d 542. We certiorari. 7 Th been twice argued this Briefs both parties first argument dealt with question whether But assuming findings, arose during oral scope That had included direction postmaster refuse deliver any Facts, agents, including editor chief, who also Read. magazines, published aggregate nearly five hundred thousand copies. told total deprivation right receive cash practically out business. See ex rel. Milwaukee Social Democratic Pub. Co. v. Burleson, 255 407, 41 352, 65 L.Ed. 704. Furthermore, indefinite duration affiliates have made conducting magazines. order, if indefinitely enforced, resulted barring delivery relation other non-fraudulent well legitimate magazine All foregoing raised about unmodified, we deemed sufficient importance justify argument. For reason set down reargument, requesting discuss whether, invalid scope, could modified free constitutional objections.1 8 Thereafter, before revoked insofar applied magazine, editor-in-chief, agents. As modified, bars addressees designated advertisements: 9 Editor.' 10 are informed, does construe forbidding even (J. S.) individually. So construed, narrowly restricted sent fraudulent, bar deliveries t editor, three It her address capacity 'Contest Likewise Court's impounding funds limited If action modifying valid, asked largely eliminated 11 Respondents' contentions now are: (1) lacked power modify his remains subject infirmities. (2) based (3) statutes various provisions. 12 First. contention without elimination almost entirely asserting Of course, wholly reasons, validated merely eliminating them terms. laying aside moment, doubt authority 13 Having concluded broader than necessary reach proved, possessed he duty reduce what essential purpose. purpose punishment, prevention future injury public denying use aid scheme. Com'r Heininger, 320 467, 474, 64 249, 251, 88 171. Such too broad work great hardships inflict unnecessary injuries innocent persons businesses. No persuasive suggested why kind. similar equitable injunction restrain conduct, like such modification whenever appears more restraints imposed longer needed protect public. Swift & Co., 286 106, 114, 52 460, 462, 76 999; see Skinner Eddy Corporation States, 249 557, 570, 39 375, 380, 772. 14 here involved benefit; gave part very relief prayed. removed ban against agents—a done irreparable left effect. possibility another entered remote require us consider never made. Hamburgh-American S.S. 239 466, 475, 476, 36 212, 216, 60 387. 15 Nor disadvantage reference impounded funds. Those fraudulent. custody because court's order; ordered General. Now, disposition dependent finding fraud. thus claim growing having lawful command must allocate remitters valid. Inland Steel 306 153, 156—158, 59 45 , 417, 418, 83 557; Morgan, 307 183, 194, 195, 795, 801, 802, 1211. 16 Second. contend represented won dollars mere say circular letters inferences drawn contained language showed series ties, making second maybe third series, efforts failed determine winners, then selected basis competitive letters, written tied 'The I Found Most Interesting Educational Contest.' 17 There sentences communications which, standing alone, conveyed careful reader information nine-dollar letter essay feature contest. Had stood doubtless justified. did stand alone. small inconspicuous portions lengthy descriptions used present letters. reviewing neither nor authorized pick parts particularly rely, decide excerpts different reason. contents evidence, resolve contradictory inferences, Leach Carlile, 258 138, 140, 42 227, 228, 66 511. 18 long; form discussing contest, terms, promises Paradoxically, constituted time models clarity obscurity—clarity referring contest,' obscurity bold type, inch high, referred '$10,000 Prize Time words 'puzzle' contest.' Conspicuous pictures sample covered large page. Rebus Nos. there. An explanation each appeared above it. first, explained, 'the inventor phonograph electric light,' Republican President became Chief Supreme Court.' last equally helpful clues 'puzzles.' presented opportunity connection puzzles, least, taxing imagination. 19 Readers felt reluctance paying enter impressively conspicuously informed prospect; advertisement model obscurity. lower corner advertising pages 'Official Rules Contest,' rules references carefully placed advertisement, printed, observed, 'in type.' ten rules. About middle Rule possible need breaking ties. And impossible drew unreasonable inference concluding letter-wrii ng obscurely mentioned unexpected contingency. kind occurs cost holding widely used: 20 'Indeed, lucidity. diffuse prolix, times somewhat obscure. Many salient printed rather type. intensive concentrated reading entire text indispensable arrive understanding Nevertheless, close analysis material discloses complete plan. Nothing omitted, concealed misrepresented. deception. well-founded criticisms plaintiffs' literature far cry justifying conclusion announcement inevitable fact that, therefore, plaintiff entitled permanent order.' (63 322) 21 agree intellectually capable discovering nature 'intensive reading' reasonably concluded, did, writings contrived manner confuse readers, distract attention mislead into thinking entering 'rebus puzzle' expenditure $3. past enabled know beginning writing, solutions, winners hardly controvertible record. borne 90,000 submitted answers 80 35,000 solved them, number 27,000 completed 'tie-breaking puzzles' issued. Under circumstances, advertise instead actually cannot attributed difference 'nomenclature'; conduct falls short fair dealing antithesis. 22 Advertisements whole may completely misleading although every sentence separately considered literally true. things omitted said, purposefully way mislead. Wiser Lawler, 189 260, 264, 23 624, 626, 47 802; Farley Simmons, 69 110, 99 343, 346; cases collected Eng.Rul.Cas. 129—131. exceptionally acute sophisticated readers able penetrating deciphered true contest's terms factfinding tribunal. Questions determined light effect most probably produce ordinary minds. Durland 161 306—313, 314, 508—511, 512, 40 709; supra, page Oesting Cir., 234 F. 304, 307. People assume traps will laid ensnare them. 'Laws trusting suspicious.' Federal Trade Comm. Standard Education Society, 302 112, 116, 58 113, 115, 82 141. delibr ately divert readers' adroitly obscured facts. wrong insufficient. 24 Third. contended §§ U.S.C., U.S.C.A. 259, 732, issued, conflict held unenforceable prior censorship Amendment; searches seizures Fourth due process clause Fifth deny trial guaranteed criminal proceedings Sixth Amendment Art. III, § 2, cl. 3; unusual punishment Eighth 25 1872 Congress forbid registered companies enterprise obtain pretenses mails. Stat. 322—323, U.S.C. 732. statute crime circulars, advertisements, etc., carrying artifices schemes. 323, 338, 338. 1889 declared 'non-mailable' matters help perpetrate frauds. 874, 256, 256. 1895 powers extended cover mail. 964, 259. passed statutes, illustration, Securities Act 1933, 48 77, 906, 77e, Commission Act, amended, 52, 26 others specifically, manifest utilize powers, over interstate commerce, governmental always recognized country firmly established. particular attacked regularly enforced executive courts half century. parcel our fabric. 1904, Public Clearing House Coyne, 194 497, 789, 1092, sustained enact laws. decision rejected urged entirety, merit. either Coyne questioned pass cited approval times. 27 Recognizing decisions adhered preclude acceptance contentions, urge certain since partially undermined philosophy rested. refer comparatively recent Fourteenth Amendments.2 None refer, however, provide slightest guarantees freedom speech press include freedom, uncontrollable Congress, perpetration swinding reject overrule declare void unenforceable. 29 additional interpreted mentioned. suggestion Its continuation Carried this, slight resemblance punishment—it keeps getting deprives speak print extent artifices. concerned, course can just legal mailed practices. jeopardize except extent, any, monies A seriously assumes includes raise deception 30 valid enjoined. judgments reversed. cause remanded dismiss petition proper return response communications. 31 ordered. 32 Reversed remanded. 33 BURTON, whom DOUGLAS concurs, 34 reviewed detail case. Both predecessor exceeded issuing stringent October 1, 1945. December 1947, serving Acting appropriate parties. altered, primary November 27, 1945, record show drastic administrative taken reliance lottery statutes. R.S. 3929 4041, dissent protests overruling conclusions issue seeks especially discourage increase, repetition, degree evidenced 35 former police entrusted office deal swindlers using lotteries pretenses. charge chance us. letter-writing limited, familiar type offers thereby attract protects sales. sponsor candidly stated purposes distributed samples subsidiary, Inc. entrance cents, required accompany respective sets f add up expenses program, prizes, provided responses many. fees, fail meet those few. financial success depended volunteers choosing found: 'These considerations, *, do descriptive strategem (stratagem) money. Hannegan, 318, 322. 37 'Appellant statement untrue departure procedure announced Official him judging bona fide, contestant promised books. contestant, shows, complained being defrauded. words, premised specific affirmative misstatements, failure perform promised, impression appellant says whole. He derives headlines comparative urgency finds expressions 38 'To appellant's case, ascribe directly contrary One read Rules, ignore misunderstand something else statement. think, assumptions. legibly printed. emphasized, minimized, text. clear reasonable mind. occurred elsewhere. 'That designed book-publishing appellees plain casual reader. specifically him, 'This sponser, popularizing Classics Book Club.' 'We successfully cast complexion venture themselves. think fairly fairly, style placement, proposed. so, ambiguity proposals stated, properly made.' Hannegan 542, 544, 545, 546. Not find adequate but, examination record, program. compulsion anyone Everyone received, advertised, reprints classical and, until stopped, prizes. 43 Anyone doing little least examine exact make himself responsil e meeting prescribed offering gifts sought. rendered services compensation. paid fee. accordance stated. 44 impending carry shows contestant. took stop On courts, abuse discretion. 'palpably therefore arbitrary.' 140 restored docket reargument. reargument counsel sufficiency findings. requested following: '1. Does prohibit employees, editor-in-chief? '(a) Is within Secs. (39 732)? '(b) code provisions, abridge sendees orders? '2. relate based? authority? Constitution States? '3. Assuming Constitution, objections? procedure?' 161. Grosjean American Press 297 233, 245—249, 56 444, 447—449, 660; Near State Minnesota Olson, 283 697, 713, 51 625, 630, 75 1357, seq.; Bridges o California, 314 252, 260—263, 62 190, 192—194, 86 192, 159 A.L.R. 1346; Craig Harney, 331 367, 67 1249;

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