Document: 342 U.S. 225 72 S.Ct. 260 96 L.Ed. 252 UNITED STATESv.SMITH. STATES v. DAILEY. Nos. 20 and 162. Argued Dec. 4, 1951. Decided Jan. 7, 1952. Mr. Robert S. Erdahl, Washington, D.C., for the United States. Bernard Margolius, Arnold L. Dailey. No appearance Louise Virginia Smith. Justice DOUGLAS delivered opinion of Court. 1 Appellee Smith (No. 20) was indicted October 2, 1950, having on or about July 1, 1947, forged name payee a check drawn Treasurer 2 Dailey 162) September 29, March 14, knowingly made false statement in connection with his application Farmers Home Administration services. 3 In each case crime charged committed more than three years before indictment returned therefore would be barred by three-year statute limitations, 18 U.S.C. § 3282, U.S.C.A. unless that has been tolled. The prosecution argued it tolled Wartime Suspension Limitations Act 1942, as amended, (1946 ed.) 590a. District Court disagreed dismissed indictment. cases are here appeal. 3731, 3731. 4 derives from August 24, which suspended running limitations applicable to offenses involving frauds against States until June 30, 1945, such earlier time Congress concurrent resolution, President, may designate. 56 Stat. 747. That amended Contract Settlement 1944, 58 649, 667, provide among other things term suspension 'until after termination hostilities present war proclaimed President resolution two Houses Congress.' Offenses negotiation, award, termination, settlement contracts were included Act. And care, handling, disposal property added Surplus Property 1944. 765, 781. At alleged read relevant part:1 'The any existing offense laws (1) defrauding attempts defraud agency thereof whether conspiracy not, manner, * shall 5 World War II declared terminated December 31, 1946, Presidential Proclamation No. 2714, 61 (Pt. 2) 1048—1049; 12 Fed.Reg. 50 U.S.C.A.Appendix, 601 note. It is clear if designated within period prior date between suspended. question likewise proclamation hostilities. 6 argument language makes no distinction hostilities, emphasis being 'running' statutes limitations. contended extension prescribed Act—offenses type likely during post-hostilities period—is persuasive indication operative after, well before, 7 We take contrary view. conclude inapplicable crimes words 'shall hostilities'. connotation occurring not allowed legally forgotten rush activities. gist Reports.2 fear law-enforcement officers so preoccupied effort fraud perpetrated too late. implicit premise legislation frenzied activities, at became law, continue then public interest should disadvantaged. have us change function If used various periods commencing seems an alteration statutory scheme, one destroys its symmetry. Since under our construction starts run all treated uniformity. when busy activities counted; pressure off, began again. reasons policy suggested straining suspend rumming beyond emergency seem advisable. 8 Affirmed. 9 CLARK, concurring. 10 I join judgment Soon beginning II, realized impossible Department currently investigate prosecute large number arising out effort. Therefore Government, first subsequently intended give apprehend, investigate, 'under stress present-day events' 'even conflict.' H.R.Rep.No. 2051, 77th Cong., 2d Sess. 2; S.Rep.No. 1544, see Gottfried, Cir., 1948, 165 F.2d 360. V-E Day May 8, V-J 1945. Immediately procurement stopped, canceled, renegotiation speeded up. did proclaim cessation sixteen months fighting ceased. During this period, pressing problems demobilization reconversion—problems cause continued perpetration Government—were most part brought end. 11 had nothing do reconversion thereafter, forgery Government $90 dated Agriculture value farm, cows, poultry, etc., services Administration. Both occurred long over 'the intensive preoccupation both participants witnesses effort'* ceased, ever those persons employed. These clearly illustrate embrace subsequent 1946. applies only 25, 1939, For 1942 Congress' intention six latter prosecute. Act, plus whatever portion regular limitations' yet passed. 13 MINTON, whom REED, JACKSON BURTON join, dissenting. 14 As statute, 1949. Until time, there On lifted, Court's lifted gives effect period. reverse judgments these cases. 62 683, revised Criminal Code, repealed (id., 862, 868) and, few changes wording, re-enacted it. Id., 828, 3287, 3287. Section 21 1948 following 5037, preserved 'rights liabilities' sections. assume, without deciding, reservation See Obermeier, 186 243, 251. Reviser section new clause reading 'when war' make 'permanent instead temporary legislation, obviate necessity reenacting future.' Reviser's note (Supp. II) S.Rep.No.1544, Sess., pp. 1—2: purpose proposed thereof, war. Contracting done through agencies, including departments independent establishments Government-owned Government-controlled corporations, agencies embraced bill. 'During normal times 3-year afford sufficient discover, gather evidence Government. States, however, engaged gigantic program. Huge sums money expended materials equipment order carry successfully. Although steps taken prevent recognized varied dealings opportunities will doubt presented unscrupulous some agency. difficult discover often true many them come light come. branch also busily duties, enforcement espionage, sabotage, laws. 'Your committee action extend discovered punished even conflict, insure operate, events, protection who attempt States.' history 1944 Amendment supports same S.Rep.No.1057, 78th p. states: 'As provided respect act This provision necessitated magnitude operations involved act, bulk cognizable apprehended investigated end require considerable they advance stage litigation.' 14.

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