Document: 366 U.S. 617 81 S.Ct. 1122 6 L.Ed.2d 536 GALLAGHER, Chief of Police the City Springfield, Massachusetts, et al., Appellants,v.CROWN KOSHER SUPER MARKET OF MASSACHUSETTS, INC., al. No. 11. Argued Dec. 7, 8, 1960. Decided May 29, 1961. Mr. Joseph H. Elcock, Jr., Boston, Mass., for appellants. Herbert B. Ehrmann, appellees. Justice WARREN announced judgment Court and an opinion in which BLACK, CLARK, WHITTAKER concur. 1 The principal issues presented this case are whether Massachusetts Sunday Closing Laws1 violate equal protection, statutes respecting establishment religion or prohibit free exercise thereof. 2 Appellees Crown Kosher Super Market, a corporation whose four stockholders, officers directors members Orthodox Jewish faith, operates sells kosher meat other food products that almost exclusively has many orthodox customers; three Crown's customers forbids them to shop on Sabbath requires eat food, as representatives class patrons; chief rabbi representative rabbis duties include inspecting markets insure compliance with dietary laws. 3 had previously been open business Sunday, day it conducted about one-third its weekly business. No supermarket Springfield area kept Sunday. Since refrain from any commercial activity Sabbath—from sundown Friday until Saturday—Crown was not during those hours. Although there is statutory provision permits Sabbatarians keep their shops 10 a.m. sale meat, did do so because economically impractical; same reason, after Saturday. 4 Those provisions law immediately under attack chapter entitled 'Observance Lord's Day.' They forbid, penalty fine up fifty dollars, keeping doing labor, work Works necessity charity excepted operation certain public utilities. There also exemptions retail drugs, tobacco by vendors, making bread at given hours dealers, frozen desserts, confectioneries fruits various listed sellers. further permit live bait noncommercial fishing; meals be consumed off premises; letting motor vehicles items emergency services necessary thereto; horses, carriages, boats bicycles; unpaid pleasure private gardens grounds if does cause unreasonable noise; running trains boats; printing, delivery newspapers; bootblacks before 11 a.m., unless locally prohibited; wholesale milk, ice fuel; handling fish perishable foodstuffs; dressed poultry; butter cheese; general interstate truck transportation 8 p.m. all times cases emergency; intrastate petroleum p.m.; livestock farm participation fairs sporting events; vegetables grower's bathhouses; digging claims; icing dressing fish; works art exhibitions; conducting trade expositions between 5 These labor Sabbatarian observers long disturbs no person. However, construed forbid merchandise. Commonwealth v. Has, 122 Mass. 40. Permission granted local option amusement parks beach resorts, including bowling games prizes awarded. Special licenses may obtained officials. Other legislation make generally unlawful attendance entertainments except duly licensed locally, p.m., character servance. 7 bar sports professional played 1:30 6:30 indoor hockey basketball time amateur subject game within one thousand feet regular place worship playground park. specific bans auto racing, horse boxing hunting firearms. And number additional proscription. Golf, tennis, dancing weddings, concerts sacred music celebration religious customs rituals allowed miniature golf courses driving ranges Motion pictures exhibited hour license obtained. Parades commemorative purposes held veterans', civic, fraternal, policemen's firemen's organizations providing they suspended while passing two hundred services. Persons who places entertainment refreshment lose entertain, people than travelers, strangers lodgers. With limited exceptions, discharging firearms sport one's own land, fishing purposes, nets spears prohibited use gaming devices allowed. Outdoor without element contest permitted taking mammals means traps. Heavier penalties imposed willful cutting destruction timber, shrubs, days week. 9 Still sections crime most employers require employees engage ordinary occupation employee twenty-four consecutive following six days. alcoholic beverages licensees option. patrons consuming premises must seated tables. sought permanently enjoin enforcement statute against them, alleging appellant, Springfield's police, arrested prosecuted manager Sunday; that, restrained, appellant would continue enforce Crown; unconstitutional reasons stated above. three-judge Federal District Court, judge dissenting, agreed appellees, 176 F.Supp. 466. On appeal brought 28 U.S.C. § 1253, U.S.C.A. we noted probable jurisdiction, 362 960, 80 876, 875. I. protection arguments advanced appellees much made appellants McGowan Maryland, 420, 1101, 393. contend exceptions numerous arbitrary found have rational basis;2 sold but limits permission selected types stores; exempted activities just need rest employees. described present system 'unbelievable hodgepodge' sustained appellees' allegations. 12 answers these likewise similar when contentions examined standards set forth opinion. Many Laws reasonably explainable face. Such tobaccos, confectioneries, desserts could legislature useful adding Sunday's enjoyment; such newspapers, milk required fresh daily.3 It conceivable believed foodstuffs detract atmosphere day, inject distinctly exists fair believe allowance Dunday add day's special rather it. find circumstances attendant conduct sufficiently different justify treatment played. Furthermore, determine although retailers, Crown, sell only innholders, druggists common victuallers serve purpose and, time, limit ordinarily sale. And, determination stores interest, still protected giving another rest. To remain might well impose near insuperable problems. 13 fact irrationality apparently reasonable distinctions shown. presumption validity upon classifications stand dispelled. 'A classification having some basis offend (the protection) clause merely mathematical nicety, practice results inequality.' Lindsley Natural Carbonic Gas Co., 220 61, 78, 31 337, 340, 55 L.Ed. 369. Thus, hold II. 14 several constitutional guarantees freedom. First, allege laws both original current observance Sabbath. 15 We agree court below like States, unmistakably origin. first enactment Plymouth Colony 1650 simply 'whosoever shall prophane Lords doeing servill worke abusses' either fined whipped. Compact, Charter New Plymouth, 92. Eight years later, ban traveling enacted preamble: 16 'Whereas complaint great abuses sundry Government prophaning travellers foot bearing burdens carrying packes &c. offence Godly welafected among us.' Id., 113. 17 1671, clear beyond doubt: 18 '9. This notice abuse, misdemeanours, committed divers persons wayes, Profaneing Lord's-day, dishonour God, Reproach Religion, Grief Spirits God's People 19 'Do therefore Order, That whosoever Prophane unnecessary servile Work, travailing, recreations, he transgress, forfeit every default forty shillings, publickly whipt: But clearly appear sin proudly, Presumptuously high hand committed, known Command Authority blessed person therein Despising Reproaching Lord, put death grievously punished Judgment Court. 20 '10. frequently neglect Worship God approved Government, convicted of, ten especially where appears arise negligence, Idleness Prophaness Spirit.' 247. 21 regulations were different. 1653 version spoke Dishonor Religion Grieving Souls Servants. Among things, forbade Drinking Sporting Colonial 132 133. In 1665, Neglect Public crime. Every apply himself Duties Piety according 1692 continued sports. Province Massachusetts-Bay New-England 13—14. preamble new 1761 retained language added Profanation Day highly offensive Almighty God. strengthened former prohibitions. 392—394. 22 A change came 1782. following: 23 Observance promotive Welfare Community, affording Seasons Relaxation Labor Cares Business; moral Reflections Conversation Life, frequent Errors human Conduct; * *' Acts 63. 24 statute's longer solely religious. proscribed Concert Music Dancing addition mentioned activities. Ibid. re-enacted 1792. seq. 25 examine now part, divorced orientation predecessors. preambles' statements, terms, exist longer. Sports kinds absolute prohibition disappeared. Concerts permitted. Church required. 26 Admittedly, contain references speak weekdays being secular c. 136 excepts music, next section openair concerts. seem objectionable relic. 'in inconsistent due observance,' necessarily mean intended religious; 'character' more likely repose recreation. told forbidding distance devoted maintaining State wishes protect all. See Everson Board Education, 330 1, 16, 67 504, 511, 91 711. recently commence prior others undertaken day. contention evening church cannot maintained since begin throughout 27 list evidences scheme provide recreation religion. pointed out 1858, amended seventy times. sales tobacco, soda water, fruit, cetera, aid resorts An examination recent legislative history bolsters State's position 1960, report Legislative Research Council stated: 29 'In general, guaranteeing seven period quiet. Health, peace good order society thereby promoted. essentially civil regarded ordinances.' Report relative Legal Holidays Observance, Mass.Leg.Docs., Sen.Doc. 525 (1960), 24.4 30 earliest pronouncements Supreme Judicial indication origin Laws. Pearce Atwood, 1816, 324, 348, sole object 'ensuring reverence respect week, exercises should performed interruption employments.' Bennett Brooks, 1864, Allen 118, 119, characterized 'set apart observances.' 1877, arose charge violation freedom made. relied Pennsylvania Specht Commonwealth, Pa. 312, clearly: 32 'It regulation, fixed business, avocations amusements community. If cessation amusement, purpose; even thus chosen majority celebrate peculiar sanctity, authority derived regulate community physical welfare. act imposes ceremony form worship, one, deems suitable devote appropriate. conscientiously observes seventh week compelled abstain kind expressly forbidden occasioned subordination his religion, member submit rules lawful govern community.' 40, 42. 33 decision ad hoc improvisation court. Of course, correct deciding bound characterization statutes. Society Savings Cleveland, Ohio Bowers, 349 148, 151, 75 607, 611, 99 950. Starr, 1887, 144 359, 361, N.E. 533, 534, made; rejected Has. 34 As out, cases,5 1877 1923, gave statute. none regarding freedom, religious.6 Finally, Laws, Chernock, 1957, 336 384, 145 N.E.2d 920, summarily dismissed complainant's contention, relying 35 relevant factors carefully considered, statutes' effect legitimate interest closing, differently supra. case, reject request invalid ground accomplish alternative remotely incidentally 36 Secondly, application prohibits alleges then, owners' demands closing Saturday, will one-half suffering extreme economic disadvantage. beliefs shopping Sabbath, deprive afternoon Monday each opportunity purchase sanctioned fath. greatly complicates task supervising condition delivered Monday. this, discriminate 37 allegations similar, grave, Braunfeld Brown, 599, 1144, 563. rejects merits, decide standing raise questions.7 38 FRANKFURTER HARLAN concur separate 39 Accordingly, reversed. 40 Reversed. 41 (For FRANKFURTHER, joined HARLAN, see 459, 1153.) 42 dissenting DOUGLAS, 561, 1218.) 43 BRENNAN STEWART, 642, 1134.) Appendix Opinion CHIEF JUSTICE 44 General Annotated, 136. 45 s 1. definition. midnight midnight. 46 2. Presence games, sports, plays diversions day; exceptions. Whoever game, sport, play diversion, concert provided air town, mayor selectmen, park, street square, tennis wedding custom ritual dancing, o'clock post-meridian outdoor lawn playing range called, five dollars. takes part aforesaid, enterprises lawfully B accordance twenty-one twenty-five, inclusive, city town accepts said twenty-six thirty-two, thirty-two then force. 47 3. Establishing offers view, sets up, establishes, maintains, attempts establish maintain, promotes assists attempt, promotes, aids, abets participates offering setting establishing two, four, whoever acts proprietor, 48 4. License application; fee; suspension; revocation; hearing. Except forty-nine, selectmen may, written describing proposed entertainment, grant, terms conditions prescribe, musical enterment mechanical electrical means, observance, admission payment money valuable consideration, exhibition motion pictures, benefit dining room television, radio, grant annual therefor; provided, afternoon, nor writing commissioner safety observance. approval accompanied fee or, license, herein Any hearing issuing same, commissioner, suspended, revoked annulled officer board foregoing provisions, insofar authorize refuse suspend, revoke annul consistent exhibit radio television issued application. 49 4A. Maintenance parks, beackes licenses; revocation. therefor, maintenance enterprise hereinafter described, consideration charged, namely:—Bowling alleys, shooting galleries restricted firing rifles, revolvers pistols using cartridges larger twenty-two calibre, photographic studios sold, operated days; shall, four. licensee hereunder distribute premiums connection device him hereof. So relates alleys accepted 50 4B. Licenses vote council inhabitants, council, mayor, be, eleven post meridian; Easter, Christman falls specify location exercised, valid place. Bowling restrictions prescribed selectmen. Said license. licensing authorities previous reason section, regulation restriction thereunder, violated. 51 5. Keeping warehouses keeps shop, warehouse workhouse, manner work, charity, 52 6. Limit preceding manufacture distribution steam, gas electricity illuminating heat motive power; water fire domestic purposes; telegraph telephone; oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, acetylene carbon dioxide; drugs medicines, articles ordered prescription physician, appliances used physicians surgeons. 53 Nor forms victuallers, newsdealers newspapers week; bread, forenoon half past innholders authorized aforesaid; and/or dessert mix, confectionery druggists, beverages, defined thirty-eight, fruit thereof; fishermen non-commercial purposes. 54 done working nine; usually served consisting defined, cooked thereon; vehicles; gasoline oil use, accessories immediate vehicles, aircraft; repairs disabled towed proceed power, towing horses carriages boats, equipment personal activities; steam ferry established routes; railway cars; steamboat lines railroad steamboats. preparation, printing publication thereof, both, commodities trailers, engaged commerce eight event aforesaid hours; trailers evening; livestock, fairs, exhibitions events veterinary handling, wholesale; poultry, poultry Thanksgiving Christmas occurs Monday; selling bakers employees, dealt them; whenever Rosh Hashonah, Atonement, begins fish, twelve noon delivering who, belief, Saturday forenoon. 56 performing believes ought observed actually refrains thereby; bootblack forenoon, ordinance by-law; cultivation raising, harvesting, conserving transporting agricultural existence war United States nation January termination grounds, adjacent dwelling house, noise, regard locality performed. 57 catalogues societies organized promoting education arts exposure plates films pleasure, therefrom sold. 58 59 preparation industrial public; meridian. 60 raised agent thereunto authorized, owned leased him. 61 7. Sale mix corresponding earlier laws, voters meeting, aldermen city, reputable dealer confectionery, fruit. 62 9. Permit performance police department rank lower captain designated chairman reasonable, issue serious suffering, loss, damage inconvenience. cover issued. 63 21. Athletic games. take witness athletic thirty meridian baseball commenced meridian, complete game; scheduled second successive witness, 64 22. Licensed playgrounds playgrounds, selectmen; if, ordinance, park placed exclusive officials, officials authority; place, worship. 65 s26. involving pecuniary reward, remuneration consideration. wherein sixth December, nineteen twenty-eight, voted resubmission thirty-one, twenty-one, contestants receive promised whatsoever directly indirectly therewith, provided. 66 27. award, STEWART dissent. statute, applied opinions 610, 616, 1149, 1152. Mass.Gen.Laws Ann. 136, §§ entirety 136; 131, 58; 138, 33; 149, 48; 266, 113 117. considered particularly argument proscription 'eat rule,' bear relationship alleged process. contrary interpretation below, vend 1953 concluded: 'The wave materialism sweeping country makes important aside give strengthen bulwark our American civilization—the home.' Unpaid Commission Investigate Study Provisions Relating Day, H.Doc. 2413 (1954) Davis Somerville, 1880, 128 594; Dextra, 1886, 143 28, 756; White, 1906, 190 578, 77 636, L.R.A.,N.S., 320; McCarthy, 244 484, 138 835. E.g., Legislature traffic, closed desired relax attend disturbed pursuing worldly shop.' page 31, 759. Appellants procedural arguments. briefed ancillary orally argued, disposition major questions presented, deem inappropriate pass now.

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