Document: 356 U.S. 590 78 S.Ct. 946 2 L.Ed.2d 996 R. S. RAINWATER, Sr., Sloan Rainwater, Jr., William as Individuals and Partners, Doing Business Rainwater & Sons, et al., Petitioners,v.UNITED STATES of America. No. 276. Argued April 2, 1958. Decided May 26, Mr. Leon B. Catlett, Little Rock, Ark., for petitioners. George Cochran Doub, Washington, D.C., respondent. Justice BLACK delivered the opinion Court. 1 This case involves two related suits by United States to recover damages forfeitures under civil provisions False Claims Act.1 In each instance complaint alleged that defendants had successfully presented false applications crop loans Commodity Credit Corporation, a wholly owned government corporation. The moved dismiss complaints, arguing claim against was not 'against Government States, or any department officer thereof' required Act. District Court granted motions dismiss, but Appeals reversed remanded trial. 244 F.2d 27. Because conflict in circuits2 we certiorari, 355 811, 43, 29, solely consider whether claims are covered is an 'agency instrumentality within Department Agriculture, subject general supervision direction Secretary Agriculture.'3 It created Congress support farm prices assist maintaining distributing adequate supplies agricultural commodities. Its capital provided congressional appropriation. Any impairment this capital, which at times has been great due nature its activities,4 replaced out public treasury; gains returned treasury. All officers other personnel employees Agriculture compensated such. Like corporations, Corporation Control Act provides such close budgetary, auditing fiscal controls little more than corporate name remains distinguish it from ordinary agency.5 brief, simply administrative device established purpose carrying federal programs with funds. 3 our judgment part 'the States' purposes Act.6 That originally passed 1863 after disclosure widespread fraud during War Between States. seems quite clear objective broadly protect funds property fraudulent claims, regardless particular form, function, upon were made. Cf. ex rel. Marcus v. Hess, 317 537, 544—545, 63 379, 384—385, 87 L.Ed. 443.7 By standard language certainly comprehensive enough achieve purpose. reaching conclusion, aware portion incorporates, test liability, criminal section they set § 5438 Revised Statutes 1878,8 according familiar principles scope these should be confined their literal terms. Yet even penal must 'given fair meaning accord evident intent Congress.' Raynor, 302 540, 552, 58 353, 359, 82 413. 4 1918 amended so explicitly prohibited 'any corporation America stockholder.'9 Petitioners contend amendment shows previously corporations. From argue—relying on rule incorporation statute reference generally does include subsequent amendments statute—that provisions, have never amended, also do cover 5 Despite surface plausibility argument cannot withstand analysis. At most, merely expression how interpreted another half century before. Under circumstances interpretation very little, if any, significance. Higgins Smith, 308 473, 479—480, 60 355, 358—359, 84 406; Stafoff, 260 477, 480, 43 197, 199, 67 358. Aside this, well background indicates primarily concerned protecting certain like Shipping Board Emergency Fleet chartered local laws organized private parties could share stock ownership See 39 Stat. 731; Bowman, 94, 101—102, 39, 42, L.Ed 149. regarding type value deciding applicability closely controlled Commodity. 6 None cases relied petitioner call result different one reach. Pierce 314 306, 62 237, 86 226, where refused apply making impersonation person posing Tennessee Valley Authority, enacted purposes.10 Moreover, rested substantial fact TVA specifically listed number statutes applicable operations omitted statute. persenting questions governmental immunity, e.g., Keifer Reconstruction Finance Corp., 306 381, 59 516, 83 784, intragovernmental organization, Skinner Eddy Corp. McCarl, 275 1, 48 12, 72 131, involved nothing search respect problems then before 7 Affirmed. R.S. 3490 (1878): 'Any * who shall commit acts fifty-four hundred thirty-eight (R.S. (1878)) forfeit pay sum thousand dollars, and, addition, double amount may sustained reason doing committing act *.' 'Every makes causes made, presents presented, payment approval, civil, military, naval service thereof, knowing false, fictitious, imprisoned hard labor less nor five years, fined dollars.' 31 U.S.C.A. 231. McNinch, Cir., 242 certiorari u.S. 808, 16, 28, affirmed 595, 950. Charter Act, 1070, 15 U.S.C. 714 seq., seq. See, 222; 70 238, 713a 10. 597, 841 Cherry Cotton Mills, Inc., 327 536, 66 729, 90 835; Inland Waterways Young, 309 517, 646, 901; Western Union Telegraph Co., 415, 198, 345. Cong.Globe, 37th Cong., 3d Sess. 952—958. H.R.Rep. Part 2d 8 Originally both sanctions same 12 696. 1878 codified 3490, while separately 5438. Section permitted those 5438, submission thereof.' note supra. altered. 9 40 1015. 10 Also see Strang, 254 491, 41 165, 65 368. Compare Walter, 263 15, 18, 44 10, 11, 68 137,

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