Document: 338 U.S. 680 70 S.Ct. 352 94 L.Ed. 457 UNITED STATESv.ALPERS. No. 217. Argued and Submitted Dec. 4, 1949. Decided Feb. 6, 1950. Mr. Joseph W. Bishop, Jr., Washington, D.C., for petitioner. A. J. Zirpoli, San Francisco, Cal., respondent. Justice MINTON delivered the opinion of Court. 1 The question in this case is whether shipment obscene phonograph records interstate commerce prohibited by § 245 Criminal Code, which makes illegal any 'obscene * book, pamphlet, picture, motionpicture film, paper, letter, writing, print, or other matter indecent character.' Respondent was charged an information three counts with knowingly depositing express company carriage packages 'containing certain character, to-wit: impressed recordings obscene, lewd, lascivious filthy language stories.' Respondent, having waived jury trial, found guilty District Court on two assessed a fine each. Appeals reversed, 9 Cir., 175 F.2d 137. We granted certiorari to examine applicability Code facts case. 813, 75. 2 pertinent provisions statute are as follows: 'Whoever shall deposit cause be deposited common carrier (for commerce) lascivious, motion-picture character fined not more than $5,000 imprisoned five years, both.' 41 Stat. 1060, 18 U.S.C. 396, now 1462, U.S.C.A. 1462. 3 It conceded that were indecent. only they come within prohibition statute. 4 aware criminal must strictly construed. This means no offense may created except words Congress used their usual ordinary sense. There constructive offenses. United States v. Resnick, 299 207, 210, 57 126, 127, 81 127. most important thing determined intent Congress. distorted under guise construction, so limited construction defeat manifest Raynor, 302 540, 552, 58 353, 358, 82 413.1 5 In interpreting applied invoked rule ejusdem generis. Since 'book, print' appearing refer objects comprehensible sight only, court construed general 'other character' same genus. held without statute, interpreted, since comprehended sense hearing. 6 When properly applied, generis useful canon construction. But it resorted obscure purpose Congress, but elucidate its effectuate intent. cannot employed render meaningless. Mason States, 260 545, 554, 43 200, 202, 67 396. What proper application discussed Gooch 297 124, 56 395, 80 522. bandit companion had kidnaped police officers avoiding arrest transported them across state line. defendant convicted kidnaping federal made transport lines person who been 'and ransom reward otherwise.' protection, contended 'or otherwise' did cover defendant's conduct, generis, phrase meaning some kind monetary reward. rejected such limiting rule, saying: 'The while firmly established, instrumentality ascertaining correct when there uncertainty. Ordinarily, limits terms follow specific ones matters similar those specified; obvious legislation. And, penal statutes narrowly construed, does require rejection best harmonizes context end view.' at page 128, 397. 7 think apply present would 'to legislation.' legislation consideration prevent channels from being disseminate that, essential nature, communicates ideas. fully set out margin.2 will noted legislated respect number evils addition proscribed portion respondent charged. Statutes entire context. comprehensive should constricted mechanical 8 find nothing history indicate intended limit applicable through sight. True, amended 1920 include 'motion-picture film.' persuaded adding film evidenced specifically added statute; nor do we visual First World War gave considerable impetus making distribution films. And public considerably alarmed indecency many films.3 thus appears amendment, preoccupied doubly sure Act, concerned less.4 Upon record could hold, wish understood all-inclusive. As have pointed out, contains relating immoral use. here issue proscribe dissemination which, clear therefore Act. judgment affirmed. 10 Reversed. 11 DOUGLAS took part decision 12 BLACK, whom FRANKFURTER JACKSON concur, dissenting. 13 I am unable agree conduct statutory provision his conviction rests. That forbids company, carriage, 'any *.' 396 (1946 Ed.), 1462 (1948 Rev), crime involved records, category listed Consequently against charge violation provision's barring sustains reasoning 'matter' congressional prohibition. 14 Our system justice based principle couched sufficiently apprise people precise prohibited. Judicial interpretation deviates salutary expanded might barred, not, used.1 Compare Weitzel, 246 533, 543, 38 381, 382, 62 872, Sullivan, 332 689, 693—694, 68 331, 334, 92 297. 15 reluctance courts expand coverage particularly where, here, results censorship. According dictionary definitions, undeniably includes substances made. Indeed, dictionaries tell us encompasses all tangibles intangibles, including material treated speech, legal action like; discussion, argument, exposition, etc.; medieval metrical romances. meanings warning signals giving word broad adopted 16 History lacking proof like readily converted into instruments dangerous abridgments freedom expression. People varied temperaments beliefs always differed among themselves concerning what 'indecent.' Sculpture, paintings literature, ranked classics some, deeply offend religious moral sensibilities others.2 offend, however priceless irreplaceable, often destroyed honest zealots convinced destruction necessary preserve morality saw it. 17 Of course tremendous difference between cultural treasures involved. our difference. Involved vital give expansive providing censorship publications pictures 'indecent,' 'obscene,' etc. Censorship field encroach constitutionally protected liberties add list items banned Congress.3 relied on, well elsewhere carefully describing 'indecent' articles forbade commerce. read see; adds capable use produce sounds can hear.4 judicial itself small. accomplished technique too successfully want law say, write, hear, see, read. departure sound practice construing restrict liberty communication. 19 ban records,5 so. See Horack, Disintegration Statutory Construction, 24 Ind.L.J. 335, 343—344 (1949). bring brought place subject jurisdiction thereof, foreign country, therein drug, medicine, article, designed, adapted, preventing conception, producing abortion, use; written printed card, circular, advertisement, notice information, directly indirectly, how, whom, hereinbefore mentioned articles, matters, things obtained made; whoever take taken herein unlawful, Motion Picture Industry, 254 Annals American Academy Political Social Science, pp. 7—9, 140, 155, 157 (1947). H.R.Rep.No.580, 66th Cong., 2d Sess. (1920); S.Rep.No.528, 59 Cong.Rec. 2178—2179, 7162, 7297, 8280, 8334 (1920). Government points legislative related broadly Particularly relies argument Anthony Comstock, supporter promoter first field, reputation 'thoroughness pursuit immorality.' conceded, construe theory Comstock's zeal reformer morals considered determinative history. undoubtedly great, great if accepted criterion punishment along Hannegan Esquire, Inc., 327 146, 157—158, 66 456, 461—462, 90 586; Bleistein Donaldson Lithographing Co., 188 239, 251—252, 23 298, 300, 47 460. discussion Chafee, Mass Communications 200—366. second barred A New York Penal Law, Consol.Laws c. 40, 1141, closely resembling these refused sustain selling charging act, substantially equivalent modified 'written printed.' determine prosecution provision, covers article instrument use.' State Strassner, N.Y. 325, 87 N.E.2d 280. below, bill has introduced House Representatives request Department amend prohibit transportation H.R. 6622, 81st requesting Assistant Attorney General stated 'questionable,' light below. Recalling amendment he urged 'Apparently, time arrived further clearly scope section.' proposed still pending Committee Judiciary.

Category: 2