Document: 338 U.S. 84 69 S.Ct. 1447 93 L.Ed. 1826 CHRISTOFFELv.UNITED STATES. No. 528. Argued April 20, 1949. Decided June 27, Mr. O. John Rogge, Washington, D.C., for petitioner. Alexander M. Campbell, Asst. Attorney General, respondent. Justice MURPHY delivered the opinion of Court. 1 In March 1947, committee on Education and Labor was, as it is now, a standing House Representatives.1 During first session 80th Congress held frequent hearings proposed amendments to National Relations Act. On 1, petitioner appeared witness before committee, under oath, in course proceedings was asked series questions directed his political affiliations associations. answers he unequivocally denied that Communist or endorsed, supported participated programs. As result these indicted perjury Title 22, § 2501 District Columbia Code,2 after trial by jury convicted. The Court Appeals affirmed conviction, 171 F.2d 1004, we granted certiorari review its validity. 336 934, 745. 2 No question raised relevancy propriety asked. Petitioner's main contention not 'competent tribunal' within meaning statute, quorum present at time incident which indictment based. this, record reveals following: Committee consists twenty-five members, whom thirteen constitute quorum. At commencement afternoon Saturday, shortly two o'clock, roll call showed fourteen members were present. testimony started some four o'clock. responses said offenses given just prior five p.m. 3 Evidence adduced from might have concluded allegedly perjurious less than quorum—as few six—of attendance. Counsel contended vigorously trial, appeal this unless found be actually when crucial asked, statutory requirement competent tribunal met absent such finding verdict acquittal should follow. 4 court agreed presence an indispensable part offense charged, instructed find defendant guilty they had beyond reasonable doubt 'That Christoffel least Committee,' 'that number must been physically * If so met, is, if did meet beginning thereafter during progress hearing them left temporarily otherwise no lack quorum, then fact majority remain there would affect, purposes case, existence provided oath administered many 13 session. *' 5 This charge objected insofar allows simply more attendance convened, without reference subsequent facts. 6 Constitution United States provides 'Each may determine Rules Proceedings,' Art. I, 5, subject competency, both whole committees, has matter careful consideration. Rule XI(2)(f) Representatives reads part, 'The rules are hereby made committees far applicable. XV present, rule call, motion adjourn, only business transacted absence IV Hind's Precedents 2950; id. 2988. See 2934, 2939; VI Cannon's 653; 680. It appears us plain even most highly privileged suspended itself. 7 A similar situation obtains committees.3 Legislative Reorganization Act 1946, 60 Stat. 812, provides, referring 133(d), 'No measure recommendation shall reported any present.' embodied subsection effective long ago 1918 keep off floor bill attended though objection i meeting much like one with concerned, coming going meeting. point When Chairman bring up considered meeting, Speaker ruled, being floor, spite point's having could reported. unobjected to, action impossible. VIII 2212. Witnesses cannot required familiar complications parliamentary practice. Even are, power raise limited committee. We member count revealed majority, until deficiency supplied. criminal case affecting rights member, occasion appropriate question. 8 Congressional practice transaction ordinary legislative none our concern, same token considerations lead treat valid conduct do control issue us. neither what establish own governance, nor whether presumptions continuity protect validity conduct. rather established followed. define exact conditions competency so. heart allowed assume satisfied basis face possible facts contradicted assumption. 9 measuring conviction crime statute defined it. consequence sentenced imprisonment term six years. An essential procedure can fairly inflict punishment all element charged proved doubt. instant tribunal, properly jury. insists consist agree court's convict, 'actually present' committee.4 10 Then charge, however, three hours offered testimony, evidence indicating contrary, law need committed. seems contrary but denies fundamental right. That right convicted proof elements against him. unthinkable body instrument conviction. erred affirming instructions alleged judgment reversed. 11 Reversed. 12 JACKSON, dissenting. THE CHIEF JUSTICE, REED, BURTON, I think denying records credit effect entitled, quite recognized rules, previous decisions, 14 either depends upon constituting Committee, determining governing procedure. Nor does deny each provide expressly entire membership Committees certain that, other purposes, different sufficient. For example, purpose convening approving report, Committee's necessary taking sworn sufficient Similarly, spell out formal take taken continue, although drop, session, smaller number. reasonableness apparent because value measured people who hear spoken identity those read later. 15 But express also custom There requirement, constitutional otherwise, recorded order authoritative. time, showing rule, duty presume usual business, conforms written unwritten created Proceedings, *.' 2, cl. 2. accordingly require expressed degree explicitness chosen respective Houses. 16 shows began anyone else gave false testimony. introduced oral tending show moment testified, ch llenge presumed continue body. He guilty. now holds erroneous Government positively falsified, Perjury Statute thereunder invalid. 17 Thus practices records, congressional analogous situations, attack later invalidation courts. 18 All authorities, including cited Court, action, adjournment, body; customary bodies ascertained stands raised. universal repeated useless calls every action. 19 therefore, entitled full credit. himself not, Whether permitted have, refused, decide. effort point. To suggested opportunity correct And enough make legal body, liberty, overruled, walk out. Instead, chose falsify says despite record, prove lie perjury. agrees requiring result. Since provision itself requires raises decision announced will apply does, invalidating legislation passed vote, represents large proportion done Senate. illustrated noting perjury, Act1 itself, well Judicial Code2 source Court's authority Moreover, direct contravention Senate, vote except3 'at Desire one-fifth Present.' 3. 20 significantly omits citation support conclusion.4 reason clear—the others inconsistent one. v. Ballin, 144 507, 509, 36 321, prescribe method reasonably ascertain quorum; courts concerned wisdom advantages rule—'with power.' adopted once By decision, effect, invalidates limitations consistently imposed where tendered. Field Clark, 143 649, 669—673, 495, 496—498, 294; 321; Flint Stone Tracy Co., 220 107, 143, 31 342, 345, 346, 55 389, Ann.Cas. 1912B, 1312; cf. Leser Garnett, 258 130, 137, 42 217, 218, 66 505. see Coleman Miller, 307 433, 453—456, 59 972, 981—983, 83 1385, 122 A.L.R. 695 concurring opinions 456—460, 460—470, 983 990. 21 devise new particular extend aid prejudiced told falsehood eleven Congressmen, honest event put doctrine perhaps here, overturned interested parties. 22 affirm 822, 121, X, Representatives; H.R. Rep. 111, Feb. 26, 1947 (93 Cong.Rec. 1504). 'Title Sec. 2501—Perjury—Subornation Every person who, affirmation officer, person, authorized administered, testify, declare, depose, certify truly, declaration, deposition, certificate him subscribed true, wilfully states subscribes material believe perjury; subornation punished penitentiary ten years 1329. difference between committees. former, assumption times, division indicate contrary. meetings, affirmatively shown deemed legally met. 2222. Meyers States, D.C.Cir., 800, appellant contentions Circuit view here. 'On October 6, senators hearing. minority subcommittee, function except adjourn. reason, Lamarre day suborning it.' page 811. ground statements th 4, 812. Passed 34 Cong.Rec., Pt. pp. 3496—97, p. 3586. Senate 94 7, 7930, reconsider withdrawn, 8297. 8501. separate overriding Presidential veto. tried issue. 912, 602, committed days—October 6. stand statute. practically identical assumption.' perfectly describes considering 4th rested. Considering count, imprisoned Christoffel; Meyers' guilt determined received ruling error applied Christoffel. Yet plea review. Such denial here imply approval below but, undisputed facts, rests 'unthinkable' whose convict partly showed, admits, time. Today's diametrically opposed based alone, demonstrably admittedly never amounted while Christoffel's reversed merely ignore 'indicating' evaporated. how justify discrimination. evidently relied precedent 1005, n. 1.

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