Document: 358 U.S. 121 79 S.Ct. 203 3 L.Ed.2d 165 UNITED STATES of America, Appellant,v.A & P TRUCKING COMPANY and Hopla Trucking Company. No. 32. Argued Oct. 20, 1958. Decided Dec. 8, Mr. Ralph S. Spritzer, Washington, D.C., for appellant. Anthony J. Cioffi, Jersey City, N.J., appellees. Justice HARLAN delivered the opinion Court. 1 This case raises issues similar to those involved in United States v. American Freightways Co., 352 1020, 77 588, 595, where a dismissal an information charging partnership entity with violations 18 U.S.C. § 835, U.S.C.A. 835 was affirmed by equally divided 2 Appellees, two partnerships, were charged, as entities, separate informations which makes it criminal knowingly violate Interstate Commerce Commission regulations safe transportation interstate commerce 'explosives other dangerous articles.' Appellee A Company also charged numerous 49 322(a) (§ 222(a) Motor Carrier Act 1935).1 The District Court dismissed, on motion, ground that cannot be guilty violating statutes involved. Government appealed directly this under Criminal Appeals Act, 3731, we noted probable jurisdiction. 356 917, 78 700, 712. For reasons set forth below hold erroneously dismissed. 322(a), comprehensive misdemeanor provision provides 'any person willfully any chapter (Part II Act), or rule, regulation, requirement, order (of Commission) thereunder, term condition certificate, permit, license, penalty is not otherwise herein provided, shall, upon conviction thereof, fined * *.' contains its own definition word 'person': 'The 'person' means individual, firm, copartnership, corporation, company, association, joint-stock association; (Italics supplied.) 303(a), 303(a). 4 'whoever violates such regulation (ICC pertaining transport articles) shall more one year, both; section .' binding 'all common carriers' engaged commerce. And 1, part entitled 'Rules Construction' light must read, 'in determining meaning Congress, unless context indicates otherwise—* words 'whoever' include corporations, companies, associations, firms, societies, joint stock well individuals; must, therefore, construed partnerships 'unless otherwise.'2 5 We think entities may proceeded against both 835. purpose clear: ensure compliance motor carriers, among others, safety requirements laid down exercise statutory duty regulate operations carriers hire. In effectuation policy certainly no difference whether carrier commits infraction organized partnership, individual proprietorship. mischief same, Congress intended make consequences same. 6 True, law made distinction between corporation deeming latter purposes suit. But power change common-law rule doubted. See Adams Express 229 381, 33 878, 57 L.Ed. 1237. beyond dispute has done so for, have seen, expressly defined partnerships. likewise since find nothing would justify our applying given includes Section promulgated ICC articles all carriers. view fact many are rather than conclusion lightly reached some should subject full gamut sanctions provided infractions merely because form they do business.3 More particularly, perceive reason why criminally liable but 835.4 7 It argued 'knowingly' 835) 'knowingly willfully' 322(a)) implication eliminate from coverage statutes, opposed partners, act. same inability act true, course, regard corporations associations; yet elementary impersonal can 'knowing' 'willful' regulatory through doctrine respondent superior. Thus supra, indicted 'wilfully' receiving sums expressage excess scheduled rates, Holmes said, at pages 389—390, page 879: 8 'It been notorious years great express companies amendment hardly could seen bring associations As suggested argument government, one, defendant, seems doubted statute now imposes them file schedules rates. if duties 'common carrier,' interpreted, reasonable suppose impose inflicted performed. 9 denied. constitutionality established, (New York Central Hudson River R.R. Co. States, 212 481, 492, 29 304, (306), 53 613, 621,) equal charge assets liability personify company far collect fine proceeding name. That what believe do. *' 10 served business left free break owners, stockholders case, partners present personally participate infraction. treasury impunity obtain fruits committed agents scope their employment.5 pressure brought who see abide law.6 11 hold, each here question quite apart participation knowledge individuals. corollary is, used punish might completely personal guilt. lead only levied firm's assets. 12 Reversed. 13 DOUGLAS, whom BLACK, FRANKFURTER, WHITTAKER concur, dissenting part. 14 unlike explicitly subjected liability, I implied, dealing penal narrowly construed. 15 Chief Marshall wrote Wiltberger, Wheat. 76, 95, 37, laws strictly, perhaps much less old construction itself. founded tenderness rights plain principle punishment vested legislative, judicial department.' 16 With approach allow sanction attach artificial, legally created 'knowledge' itself said employees. On hand A, B, C individuals compose it. country theory general extended partnership. Judge Learned Hand summarized history Helvering Smith, Cir., 90 F.2d 590, 591—592. If Dean Ames had his way, mercantile prevailed. took up drafting Uniform Partnership after death adhered attitude toward partnership—that aggregation say, adopted aggregate theory. force about three-fourths States. One combs reports today cases espousing minority consciously reject Professor Williston shown, main stream follows British course treating pluralistic sense. 63 U. Pa.L.Rev. 196, 208. therefore assume statute, written background, reflects conventional aggregate, exceptional entity, 17 depends 'culpable intent,' stated Boyce Lines, Inc., 342 337, 342, 72 329, 331, 96 367. held responsible acts Gordon 347 909, 74 473, 98 1067. being stand footing, otherwise. Title 1,1 defines otherwise.' does indicate punishes teaches there vicarious partner culpable strict obtain, read reflect prevailing law. applied imposing penalties assets, wholly innocent wrongful act, unequivocal command Act. appellee count offense truck chromic acid without markings placardings prescribed CFR 77.823(a). 34 counts offenses consisting failure comply 191.8, prescribes physical examinations certificates drivers trucks (one count), violation CFR, 1958 Cum. Pocket Supp., 193.95(a), requires common-carrier equipped fire extinguishers 306(a), forbids operation certificate convenience necessity (32 counts). shipped methanol, flammable liquid, properly marking placarding required 77.823(a), driver having possession paper showing labels outside containers methanol 77.817. Subsequent filing Company, amended increase fines violation. (Supp. V) 322(a). significant first enacted into very positive revised Code. 62 Stat. 683, 859 (1948). connection Code, thus token creates crime admonishing liberally interpreted. specifically included within large number Acts, intent treat entities. e.g., Civil Aeronautics 52 979, 401(27), 401(27); Federal Communications 48 1066, 47 153(i), 153(i); Shipping 39 729, 46 801, 801; Tariff 708, 19 1401(d), 1401(d). imprisonment, fine, violation, whereas fines, different conclusion. Cf. Union Supply 215 50, 30 15, 54 87. Since insufficient face, purposes, accept true allegations inadvertently committed. 1067, relied appellees, contrary. convicted 'willfully' Defense Production 1950, 50 U.S.C.A.Appendix, 2133, agents. Dotterweich, 320 277, 64 134, 88 48. Here seek

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