Document: 329 U.S. 223 67 S.Ct. 213 91 L.Ed. 204 FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSIONv.WOKO, Inc. No. 65. Argued Nov. 22, 1946. Decided Dec. 9, Decision of Federal Communications Commission refusing to renew radio station's license because general manager appeared on behalf station various hearings before Radio and furnished false testimony, so as conceal holdings one stockholder, could not be reversed it would injure innocent stockholders or commission had previously taken less drastic measures in prior similar cases. Act 1934, §§ 308(b), 312(a), 402(e), 47 U.S.C.A. 402(e). at by court ground that the decision imposed a penalty commission's failure make findings with respect quality service past its equipment for good future. 31 (a), Mr.Harry M. Plotkin, Washington, D.C., petitioner. [Argument Counsel from page 224 intentionally omitted] Mr.William J. Dempsey, respondent. Mr. Justice JACKSON delivered opinion Court. 1 WOKO, Incorporated, some years has operated Albany, New York, appears have readered public acceptable able continue. The refused misrepresentations made predecessor ownership applicant's capital stock. Two hundred forty shares, being twenty-four per cent outstanding stock, was owned Pickard his family. For twelve they received all dividends paid stock took an active interest Company's affairs. He also vice-president Columbia Broadcasting Company obtained assurance he help secure affiliation Station furnish, without charge, engineers construct supply grand piano certain newspaper publicity. 2 company, however, reporting names required do many applications, concealed fact Pickards held this represented shares were others. Its applicant testimony both Commissions regarding identity corporation each holdings. purpose concealment prevent facts becoming known Pickard's colleagues. 3 Court Appeals District Commission's denying renewal license, majority reasons we will consider. dissenting Chief noted did 'very heartily agree view is hard case. order, terminating life station, punishes equally guilty, results contrary action several other comparable But making order within discretion Commission, I think reasonably clear.' We granted certiorari importance issue administration Act. 4 come consideration which led reverse under admonition 'review shall limited questions law if supported substantial evidence, conclusive unless clearly appear are arbitrary capricious.' 48 Stat. 1094, U.S.C. § 5 provides applications such WOKO filed 'All set forth regulation may prescribe citizenship, character, financial, technical, qualifications operate station; location proposed * information require.' It requires statements oath affirmation. 1084, 308(b). provides, too, any revoked application. 1086, 312(a). 6 said case failed find material influenced decision, acted differently beneficial owners beside point. more significant than concealed. willingness deceive regulatory body disclosed immaterial useless deceptions well persuasive ones. answer say deception unnecessary served no purpose. If forthrightly material, should expect rejected application been sustained doing. hold unlawful, capricious require granting renewal, seems difficult refuse where true withheld substituted. 7 told owning slightly 50 found part knowledge Commission. This very proper determining just appropriate action. matter law, there can immunize consequences deception. officers mismanagement waste assets, presumably State affords adequate remedies against wrongdoers. matters, entrust their interests chosen often suffer dereliction. Consequences acts cannot escaped merely participated. 8 Respondent complains present constitutes departure course dealing misstatements Much argument character uncommon claimed dealt severely Cf. Navarro Association, F.C.C. 198. temporizing compromising seemed discourage it, here preserve integrity own system reports. mild others apparently unannounced change policy considerations whether too drastic, but bound anything us deal cases times seem comparable. 9 contended inflicts penalty, motive punishment since given powers penalize persons, must fall. indulge exposition what is. enough decide know not. A denial insufficiency deliberate falsity lawfully penal measure. hurt cause loss, illegal, fact. 10 Lastly, importantly, suggested justify refusal renew, Evidence introduced hearing. hand insists administering rely upon reports licensees. points out caused slight inadvertence nor isolated instance, carried approximately years. says deciding operations serve interest, convenience necessity, con ideration background training parties having exercise vested responsibilities licensee guilty systematic 11 grant deliberately even duration circumstances. established standard justified considering affected public. courts, satisfied renewing license. And might same determination does warrant substitution judicial administrative Congress confided problem latter. case, allowed bad law. 12 judgment remanded direction remand 13 Reversed directions. 14 BLACK

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