Document: 361 U.S. 431 80 S.Ct. 459 4 L.Ed.2d 423 UNITED STATES, Appellant,v.Bernard MERSKY et al. No. 31. Argued Nov. 10, 1959. Decided Feb. 23, 1960. Mr. Eugene L. Grimm, Washington, D.C., for appellant. Julius Schapira, New York City, appellees. Justice CLARK delivered the opinion of Court. 1 The Congress has provided in Tariff Act 1930, 46 Stat. 590, as amended, that imported articles be marked to indicate an ultimate purchaser United States English name country origin. 19 U.S.C. § 1304, U.S.C.A. 1304.1 Pursuant Act, Secretary Treasury adopted implementing regulations. This case tests application these provisions importation 10 violins from Soviet Zone Germany. Appellees were charged with removing labels intent conceal purchasers identity violins' District Court dismissed information, holding changing did not violate because applicable regulation appeared require marking only tariff purposes rather than apprise place In any event, court found, was 'manifested a manner sufficiently clear and unambiguous justify criminal prosecution.' On appeal by Government, Appeals held Court's opinion, interpreting regulation, tantamount construction statute upon which information founded; hence, under Criminal 18 3731, order dismissal appealable directly this Court, Appeals.2 It also effect sustain motion bar, which, s likewise required Accordingly, it certified appeal, 2 Cir., 261 F.2d 40, we postponed question jurisdiction hearing on merits, 359 951, 79 740, 3 760. We have concluded accept certification and, affirm judgment dismissing information. Appellees, dealers musical instruments States, had purchased importers thereafter sold them other dealers. Upon obtaining possession importers, appellees replaced 'Germany/USSR Occupied,' then each violins, others inscribed 'Made Germany.' After resale filed against appellees, charging they removed original attached origin.3 Government's theory removal violated its I. Our first consideration is jurisdictional issue. specifies several conditions, one permits direct Government makes our such cases exclusive. event should been taken here erroneously effected Appeals, directed certify here. Prior 1907, date no whatever cases. As passed House, bill gave 'the same right review writ error given defendant.' However, Senate, amended so allow judgments setting aside indictments, 'where ground or demurrer invalidity indictment founded.' 41 Cong.Rec. 2819. final language emerged Conference Committee two Houses. See H.R.Conf.Rep. 8113, 59th Cong., 2d Sess. stated Senator Knox, proponents measure, member Judiciary former Attorney General 'only proposed give (the Government) questions law raised defendant defeat trial * *.' 2752. intended create opportunity settle important law,' 'great purpose' being 'to secure decision resort law.'4 situation sought remedied outlined Patterson, proponent bill, words: 'We district ineffective reason another—it may unconstitutional, some reason—and another reverse; multiply sections find half courts arrayed identical law; entirely constitutional unconstitutional. So, President, confusion, ridiculous condition, exists must continue exist, because, now stands, until involving shall go Supreme brought there defendant, can adjudication whose controlling. cure defect administration justice *.'5 5 therefore appears abundantly remedial purpose avert danger frequent conflicts, real apparent, decisions various circuit courts, unfortunate results thereof'; eliminate impossibility government's uniform rulings recourse higher court.' 20 Harv.L.Rev. 219. Moreover, desirability expedition determination validity Acts Congress, pointed desideratum applies equally, practical operation correction agency revision invariably awaits judicial action. 6 violations 'and regulations promulgated thereunder.' section requires origin,' imposes sanctions anyone who removes mark contained therein. authorized implement appropriate term 'country,' used requiring markings, defined mean political entity known nation.' CFR 11.8. By Decision 51527, August 28, 1946, Germany considered origin manufactured produced all parts Following change duty rates products, T.D. 53210 issued 1953, providing Eastern 'marked (Soviet occupied).'6 issue posed whether last carried 1304. see it, necessarily interpretation statute. 7 An administrative course, 'statute.' While called 'little laws,'7 are at most but off-spring statutes. alone pass statute, calls appeals if based v. Jones, 345 377, 73 759, 97 L.Ed. 1086. always construed narrowly, limiting strictly instances specified.' Borden Co., 1939, 308 188, 192, 60 182, 185, 84 181. Swift & 1943, 318 442, 63 684, 87 889. Here complete itself, since merely declares range leaves progeny means utilized effectuation command. But creates offense willful provides punishment violations. regulations, hand, prescribe identifying label assign resulting tags their respective geographical areas. Once promulgated, force law, thereof incur prosecutions, just details incorporated into congressional language. result neither nor without other, together do force. effect, therefore, involves other. charges founded 1304 accompanying solely allegations state amplified When inextricably intertwined, involve This, believe, gives recognition 'questions trial' thus promptly 'secure decision' affording desired 'uniform enforcement throughout entire limits States.' view conclusion, need claim sustained 'motion bar.' disposition come here, accordingly certificate turn merits. II. 8 implemented country-of-origin issuance that, 'For German area subject authority Allied Control Commission British, Soviet, French zone Commanders Thus labeled 9 1951 President suspend withdraw reduction custom duties concessions areas dominated Union. 65 73; 1362, 1362. Proclamation 2935, C25, 1362 note, suspended Sector Berlin. 52788, day, changed rate proclamation. 1953 53210, controversy. headed: 'Tariff status, origin, customs valuation products Germany, Poland, Danzig.' paragraph refers presidential proclamation structure duty. second value 402, 1930 (19 1402),' Western treated country, 'country." third crucial prosecution: 'country occupied) origin." 'issued primarily establish markings differences applicable'; indication would beyond entry stage payable. agree unlike aimed collection protection States. Its caption indicates deals 'tariff status' 'customs valuation,' requirements aids thereof. Taking up body document, note fact Soviet-dominated 'shall receive reduced duty,' while Sectors Berlin 'continue most-favored-nation treatment.' introduced phrase, provisions' language, well make-up suggests involved here), distinctive step implementation changes. contains reference requirement article 'conspicuous place,' 'legibly, indelibly, permanently,' 'ultimate States' notice. placed Germany' 51527. 11 context prosecution, apply rule strict when Halseth, 1952, 342 277, 280, 72 275, 96 308; Wiltberger, 1820, Wheat. 76, 95—96, 37. A reading distinct impression protect expedite duties. Certainly emphasis silence public deceit support conclusion old insofar after concerned.8 If otherwise, left implication. There more sanctions: businessmen guess meaning insist good faith, believing actions permissible law. nothing record contrary. judge concurred regulation. framework unclarity enough resolve doubts favor defendants. 12 affirmed. 13 Affirmed. 14 BRENNAN, concurring. 15 I join think plain precedents over lies 'sustaining put jeopardy.' Except arguments made dissent unsettle what settled reintroduce archaisms federal procedure, refrained expressing my views. 16 touchstone constitutes 'judgment sustaining bar' precisely Judge Lumbard said was—whether will end cause exculpate defendant. Hark, 320 531, 536, 64 359, 362, 88 290; Murdock, 284 141, 147, 52 63, 64, 76 210; Storrs, 272 652, 654, 47 221, 71 460. established precedents, focal point inquiry form defendant's plea, ruling Court.1 'The material how pleading styled reviewed supra, page 361. 'Its judgment's) unless reversed, bar further prosecution charged. follows unquestionably regard particular designation plea propriety, Act.' 64. To thrust around focus common-law pigeonhole anomaly indeed, recognized, particularly years Federal Rules Procedure swept away pleas. Rule 12. 17 These criteria judging foreign technicalities suggested, however, Holmes' demonstrates still exist. less selective quotation his he referring technical touchstone—the very applied below followed Murdock Hark. Storrs irregularities committed grand jury room. limitations run time new could found. nature action itself explained: '(It) cannot week earlier purports be, character is, later becomes extrinsic circumstance run. looks abating barring greater circumstances. brought, independent having relation working equally previous not. uses words, 'a special taking sense.' 221. Clearly discussion way 'confession avoidance' like, exculpatory one—the announced test subsequent followed. then, inconsistency between Hark—both turned basic principle. Whatever retrospective exegesis leading suggests, thing own discloses none asserts rationale ascribed them. Rather conceived turning explained below. adhere principles nineteenth century books back shelves.2 Memorandum WHITTAKER. Although much dissenting opinions Brothers FRANKFURTER STEWART concludes 'regulation' embraced 'statute' Brother BRENNAN'S concurring hold jeopardy,' hence conclude jurisdiction. opinion. 21 FRANKFURTER, whom HARLAN join, dissenting. 22 34 1246, c. 2564, '(f)rom quashing, aside, to, indictment, count thereof, where invalidity, founded,' arresting conviction insufficiency jeopardy,'1 directly. rested Treasury, violation 1304(e), 1304(e). decided thereupon appealed Appeals. That 40. 23 'statute,' includes variant recurring problem resolving ambiguity legal inheres word 'see Oxford Dictionary), term. (Compare contemporaneously, King Mfg. Co. City Council Augusta, 1928, 277 100, 48 489, 801, Ex parte Collins, 565, 585, 990. former, include city ordinance; latter, exclude class legislative enactments '(d)espite generality language.' 568, 586.) Judged dictionary, course enactment legislature country. matter English, respectably refer subordinate governing promulgations private body, like college. dictionary does problem, wholly apart heeding admonition, frequently expressed Learned Hand, judges construing legislation ought imprison themselves fortress dictionary. 24 immediately relevant derives either legislature, technically speaking, legislatures fifty States; comprehensive scope, wit, rules conduct legally emitted lawmaking agencies councils regulation-emitting bodies governments. restrictive meaning, i.e., extensive determined 1907. answer total environment placed, including past decisions, history due consequences latitudinarian construction. 25 For controlling statutes helpful decision; practice reflected lower sufficient period time, unchallenged carrying weight professional understanding. case, balance considerations weighed time. 26 leave doubt direction aim. Between Sanges, 1892, 144 310, 609, 36 445, appellate remedy (See story summarized Dickinson, 213 92, 29 485, 53 711.) 'left mercy single courts. became serious operative beginning movement increasing social control through machinery.' Frankfurter Landis, Business (1928), p. 114. Attorneys had, emphasizing 1907 Act. See, id., pp. 114—115. (later Justice) Moody 1906 terms: 'It monstrous received assent House Representatives, nullified man, Court.' Atty.Gen.Ann.Rep. (1906). 27 incident precipitated Beef-Trust Armour D.C.1906, 142 F. 808, sense, sustained, thereby finally ending Sherman Law, seq. Theodore Roosevelt interested. message eventually enacted legislation: seems absurdity permit judge, immense majority colleagues bench, declare solemnly 'unconstitutional,' deny definitely decide question.' 22. concern those charge debate measure full discussion, afford frustrated formally Congress.2 28 hint misconstruction invalidation might rise. Regulations mentioned. significant, ultimately deliberately narrower scope originally Congress. originated session giving prosecutions defendant' twice jeopardy offense. 40 5408. general substitute reported, take 'quashing (or) 7589—7590; S.Rep. 3922, 1st went Senate chief objection breadth. provide expressly double jeopardy, 2819, Senators objected unnecessary extension number situations defendants might, contrary practice, subjected government E.g., 2192—2194, response objection, Clarke three categories allowed appeal: 'From founded'; 2823. substitute, (41 2825), substantially aspects (see H.R.Rep. Sess.) 3994, 4128. explaining amendment, stressed aim necessary: '(T)he object limit part constitutionality proceeding. enlarged addition clause, committed, notwithstanding respects proceeding remain intact. recently occurring drawn attention determine invalid, submitted tribunal Constitution power question. believe wider mischief disclosed.' 30 manifest preoccupying thought primary promoter legislation, Roosevelt, destroying, invalidation, enactments. Extension penal attach apparently nobody's certainly tongue. proliferation unknown phenomenon lawmaking. fictional attribute preponderant profession represented knowledge elementary difference statutes, conventionally Nor formal minor distinction. strike down eviscerate meaning; quite construe adversely desire. Legislation complicated cumber-some business. Correction erroneous statutory construction, let laws, difficult, even hazardous process. officials unhobbled procedure potential parliamentary roadblocking. large self-help correcting misconception about 31 Such dealing laws such, bearing restricted referable enactments? introduces factor weighty importance deciding instance concerns responsibility business major conditions necessary wise disposition.3 32 occasion 'largely irrationally increased.' American Security Trust Commissioners, 224 491, 495, 553, 554, 56 856. Since abstractly logical broad appropriately confined interpretations arising feel free, deem incumbent, oppose needless irrational increase Courts. every vast penalties disfavor. revise often easily effectively accomplished skillful drafting, bring within authority, review. 33 presence provision 'special historical explanation presents different Barring stimulation seldom initiates judiciary except dramatic stirs interest. 808. absence antitrust terminated successful recurrence situation, inclusion clause permitting accounted for. Regarding STEWART. disregards obvious guidance departs connotation. before matter, choose: 460, 290. Holmes, spokesman authoritative learning common 'technical words' 'in notice analysis colloquial phrase. Having choose follow criterion 35 STEWART, reach merits kind reviewable me 'based statute,' bar.'1 37 found doubtful 1304,2 prosecution. No contention invalid. validly clearly confers properly worded making acts unlawful. apparent judge's statement '(t)he indicated East West separate countries Department asked impinges construes enacted. Compare Foster, 233 515, 522—523, 666, 669, 58 1074. 38 Whether now. resolution odds tradition strick policy, notably February 13, 1925, 43 936, narrowly Court.3 exceptional limited 103, 711. 39 Avoidance prolonged uncertainty obviously effective justice. desirable possible clarification amendment. holds invalid inconsistent understanding Executive Branch enforcing policy served expediting matter. expedited present serves policy.4 Uncertainty caused laid rest simply reasons Even above views prevail, 'on facts constitute Until 1948 'decision jeopardy.'5 phrase substituted 62 845. sole terminology conformity Procedure, U.S.C.A., abolished pleas, demurrers motions quash dismiss grant relief. not, expand appeal. 304, 80th A—177.6 historically 42 great connection. Oppenheimer, 242 85, 86, 68, 61 161; Goldman, 229, 236, 486, 488, 862. Holmes remarked 460 is.' But, 'what is,' underscores essential point—'The psecial 221.7 At 'deny, confess avoid declaration.' Chitty, Pleading (16th Am. ed. 1883), *551; Stephen, Principles (3d 1895), 89. Consequently, types pleas traverse confession avoidance. Ibid. Shipman, Common-Law (Ballantine 1923), 30. issue, Shipmen, 337; 179. civil category included specific (equivalent denial), (a denial preceded introductory affirmative matter), avoidance, e.g., autrefois acquit, convict, pardon. Bishop, (2d 1913), §§ 742, 805—818; Heard, (1879), 279—296; Starkie, 1822), 316—338. avoidance contest alleged declaration, relied deprive ordinary effect. 89, 205—206; 348; *551—*552. set defenses 44 concept similar substance consistently accepted upholding defense avoidance.8 equivalent understood, but, rather, demurrer. 45 fully confirmed examination itself. if, thought, defendants, significant portion discussed Part meaningless redundancy. Every would, rough ready definition bar,' equal effectiveness 'end defendants.' (261 44.) remand '19 Marking containers. '(a) articles. '* (E)very conspicuous legibly, permanently (or container) article. regulations— '(1) Determine words phrases abbreviations acceptable indicating *; '(2) Require symbols prevent deception mistake *. '(e) Penalties. 'If person shall, therein, deface, destroy, remove, alter, cover, obscure, obliterate chapter, conviction, fined $5,000 imprisoned year, both.' 3731 provides, part: 'An behalf following instances: founded. jeopardy. pursuant court, hear extent substantive charges, alleging conspiracy alter labels. Bacon, Committee. 2195—2196. 2753. comments Clarke, who, discussing Nelson, manager floor, stated: '(W)henever submit dispose 2820. Several months later, 53281 issued, alternative wordings Vom Baur, Administrative 490, 489. supersede 51527 latter relate thereto. Friedenthal, Cases, Stan.L.Rev. 71, 77—78. suggested causes overlap had. existence hardly militate seriously espoused Storrs; make valuable guide assume offended belonging both categories. And maintained, bar. allege brought; omission defect, interpreted covering charge, Yet additional obviate defect. Cf. 87, 69, 161. Formal changes May 9, 1942, 295, 271, Judicial Code, June 25, 1948, 645, 844, 24, 1949, 139, 58, 97, 3731. 2757 (Senator Senate): us nisi prius inferior render efforts people trusts monopolies dangerous things; ourselves handicapped crippled judge.' also, 2192 Bacon): '(A)nd absolutely null void inoperative nine sit affecting accused, land Apart vital factors, mass materials during recent decades, investigation appraisal involved, entail considerable burden compared periods. reproduced 433, 461, 2. 432, 1. 1257(2), repugnant Constitution, treaties validity,' interpretation, consistent legislation. Williams Bruffy, 176, 183, 716; Reinman Little Rock, 237 171, 511, 59 900; Live Oak Water Users' Ass'n Railroad State California, 269 354, 356, 149, 150, 70 305. say broadly allegedly unconstitutional action, concededly valid notes (trial courts), court." 462. degree fulfilled Courts Any conflict circuits could, resolved 19, par. 1(b), (Act March 2, 1246), wording continued re-enactments. (1940 ed.) 682; (1946 682, supplemented 54(c), Fed.Rules Crim.Proc., 'demurrer,' quash,' 'plea abatement,' act raising 12.' Notes Advisory appended 54 insure unchanged. 290, generalized BRENNAN heavily rely, cite Storrs. reflect divergent approaches, carefully it. Celestine, 215 278, 93, 195 (motion showed crime charged); 161 res judicata barred action); Thompson, 251 407, 289, 333 refused presentment thereon); 862 prosecution); 210 privilege); 290 revocation pertinent violating).

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