Legal Document

410 U.S. 396 93 Supreme Court Reporter 1007 35 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 379 UNITED STATES, Appellant,v.Travis Paul ENMONS et al. Number 71—1193. Argued Dec. 4, 1972. Decided Feb. 22, 1973. Syllabus The Hobbs Act, which makes it a federal crime to obstruct interstate commerce by robbery or extortion, does not reach the use of violence (which is readily punishable under state law) achieve legitimate union objectives, such as higher wages in return for genuine services that employer seeks. Pp. 399—411. 335 F.Supp. 641, affirmed. William Bradford Reynolds, Washington, D.C., appellant. Bernard Dunau, appellees. Mr Justice STEWART delivered opinion Court. 1 A one-court indictment was returned District Eastern Louisiana charging appellees with violation 18 Code KF62 § 1951. In pertinent part, Act provides: 2 '(a) Whoever any way degree obstructs, delays, affects movement article commodity commerce, extortion attempts conspires so do, commits threatens physical person property furtherance plan purpose do anything this section shall be fined more than $10,000 imprisoned twenty years, both.' 3 'Extortion' defined 'the obtaining from another, his consent, induced wrongful actual threatened force, violence, fear . ..' 1951(b)(2). 4 At time alleged conspiracy, employees Gulf Utilities Company were out on strike. are members and officils labor unions seeking new collective-bargaining agreement company. charged two named coconspirators conspired part they 5 'would obtain form other things value consent ., economic injury (the appellees) co-conspirators, co-conspirators did commit acts destruction against owned order force said agree contract Local 2286 International Brotherhood Electrical Workers calling monetary benefits.' 6 Five specific have been committed conspiracy—firing high-powered rifles at three transformers, draining oil transformer, blowing up transformer substation Company. short, had fact striking employment benefits 7 granted appellees' motion dismiss failure an offense Act. 641. court noted strike their employer, States, both its objective legal. expressed view if sought violent paid unneeded unwanted services, no all,' then would constitute within meaning Id., 645. But case, contrast, objectives: 'The right disrupt business lawfully wages. Acts occurring during lawful resulting damage persons undoubtedly State law. To punish Act.' 646. found 'no case where has gone far hold type activity involved here 8 We probable jurisdiction Government's appeal, 406 916, 92 1774, 32 114,1 determine whether proscribes inducing employer's collective-barganing demands. 9 * Government contends statutory language unambiguously without qualification interference 'extortion,' terms statute, 'extortion' Wages 'property' argument continues, thus falls literal proscription statute hardly clear make be. Its interpretation slights wording only 'wrongful' fear. term 'wrongful,' face modifies each enumerated means property—actual fear2 superfluous served describe used. For redundant speak 'wrongful violence' force' since, acknowledges, 'wrongful.'3 Rather, limits statute's coverage those instances itself 'WRONGFUL' BECAUSE THE ALLEGED EXTORTIONIST claim property. 10 Construed fashion, properly held officials personal payoffs,4 used proscribed exact 'wage' payments employers 'imposed, unwanted, fictitious services' workers.5 situations, misappropriated. will bear semantic reaches there taking property; he bargained for, workers receive entitled compensation services. II 11 legislative framework dispels ambiguity apply ends. predecessor Anti-Racketeering 1934, 48 Statutes-at-Large 979,6 proscribed, connection exaction valuable consideration coercion, 'not including, however, payment bona-fide employee .'7 versus 807, 315 521, 62 642, 86 L.Ed. 1004, exception covered New York City truck drivers who, threats, exacted themselves out-of-town truckers service driving trucks city. teamsters lie wait trucks, demand owners allowing proceed into sometimes drove arriving city, but instances, fees rejected teamsters' themselves. several cases evidence that, having fees, city disappeared offering perform all. 526, S.Ct., 644. See also id., 539, 649 (Stone, C.J., dissenting). activities included wage although what work performed some rejected. 12 Congressional disapproval decision swift. Several bills8 introduced narrow correcting result 807 case.9 H.R. 32, became 60 420, eliminated basis decision.10 But, frequently emphasized floor House, limited effect bill shut off possibility opened could protected status imposed, As Congressman Hancock explained: 13 'This designed simply prevent nonunion people making guise obstruction commerce. That all does. 14 '(T)his made necessary amazing Teamsters' Union years ago. practically nullified anti-racketeering 1934 .. exempt provisions law when attempting threat job rendered not.' 91 Cong.Rec. 11900. 15 proceeded read approvingly editorial characterized action 'compelling pay day's local whose neither wanted nor needed.' Ibid. Fellows stressed facts showed 'these stick-up men soon money rendering render service.' 11907. And Rivers 'nothing short hijacking, intimidation, out-and-out highway robbery.' 11917.11 16 eliminating sweep objectives. It repeatedly debates 'interfere activity';12 'there thing interfere slightest ..'13 Jennings, responding question concerning Act's coverage, 'does world strikes.' 11912. 17 Indeed, introducing original bill, Hobbs14 explicitly refuted suggestion union's objectives encompassed Act:15 'Mr. MARCANTONIO. All right. strike, incident occurs involves— 19 HOBBS. gentleman need go further. This cover strikes relating strikes. 20 Will put provision stating so? 21 to, because perfectly described statutes we passed. takes springboard act must unlawful come purview bill. 22 answer my point. My point simple assault place happen. Am & N Immigration Nationality Decisions correct? 23 Certainly. 24 become gentleman's striker well sections 25 disagree deny toto.' 89 3213.16 26 derive different lesson history. points statements meant 'broad coverage' and, unlike predecessor, encompass 'employer-employee' relationship. proves n achievement illegitimate representatives, payoffs, pursuit 'wages' exempted solely extortionist official victim employer.17 find support expansive rejection amendments, one proposed Celler, LaFollette, inserted bonafide employee. 11913, 11917, 11919, 11922. amendments operated continue case18 Their nothing Congress intent undoing restrictive impact case. III 27 nearly decades passed since enactment reported upheld theory 28 previous relevant issue, Green, 350 415, 76 522, 100 494, accomplished overruling extortions consisted so-called laborers 417, 524. obtained 'by use, wit, purposes aforesaid, .' rely, present employer-employee relationship; purpose—to demand. concluded relationship profit required, our holding carefully charges case: 'We rule allegations fall 421, 526. 29 prior Third Circuit, Kemble, 198 Federal Reporter, 2nd 889, relied concerned exaction, threats affirming conviction agent using driver attempt him hire member, Appeals holding: 30 consider normal desired employer. enough decide, intendment statute.' 892. 31 Most recently, Caldes, 457 74, Ninth Circuit squarely presented issue Two convicted violations damaged company negotiating agreement, pressure agreeing contract. Concluding intended militant ends, reversed convictions ordered dismissed. until indictments 1970 even prosecute employed secure 'calling benefits.'19 Yet, throughout period, Nation witnessed countless strikes, often unfortunately punctuated violence. unlikely indeed wrought major expansion criminal enacting long unobserved. Laub, 385 475, 485, 87 574, 580, IV 33 broad concept extortion—the demands wages—is easily restricted. overtly coercive conduct course obstructing, delaying, affecting worker who threw punch picket line, deflated tires subject prosecution years' imprisonment fine.20 34 Even history less them be, expanded suggests—for related reasons. First, being strictly construed, resolved favor lenity. Wiltberger, Wheat. 76, 95, 37; Halseth, 342 277, 280, 72 275, 276, 96 308; Bell 349 81, 83, 75 620, 622, 99 905; Arroyo 359 419, 424, 79 864, 867, 915; Rewis 401 808, 812, 1056, 1059, 493. Secondly, require much explicit before us lead conclusion policing orderly Neither can justify extraordinary change unprecendented incursion States. San Diego Bldg. Trades Council Garmon, 236, 247—248, 773, 780—782, 775; Constr. Laburnum Corp., 347 656, 665, 74 833, 838, 98 1025; Garner Teamsters 776, 346 488, 161, 164, 228; UAW 232 Wisconsin Employment Relations Bd., 336 245, 253, 69 516, 651. last Term: '(U)nless conveys clearly, deemed significantly changed federal-state balance. traditionally reluctant define denounced (W)e quick assume significant sensitive relation between jurisdiction.' Bass, 404 336, 349, 515, 523, 488 (footnotes omitted). 36 correct dismissing indictment. judgment 37 Affirmed. 38 Mr. BLACKMUN, concurring. 39 join Court's opinion. concede visceral reaction immaturely conceived kind deserve dignified crimes. nature rather judicial. If wishes constitutional power context result. concede. Tr. Oral Arg. 18—19. gathered persuasive demonstrating intend exercise these 40 posture, concession certain downgrade 'incidental' dissent 'low level,' post, 418 n. 17), aimed achieving end, necessarily legislation enforced selectively or, least, embroil drawing distinction minor That, me, appealing prospect solid position taken. 41 out, prosecution. remain otherwise manner 42 DOUGLAS, whom CHIEF JUSTICE, POWELL, REHNQUIST concur, dissenting. 43 today achieves opposed unable get do. considers primarily considered 78th Congress. enacted 79th Congress; debates, opposition lost win today. Holmes' admonition Missouri, K. T.R. May, 194 267, 270, 638, 639, 971, 'it remembered legislatures ultimate guardians liberties welfare quite great courts.' 44 979, respecting trade 'payment considerations,' excluding employee.' jobs, presently them. 45 critical exclusion clause. 525, 494: 'In carried forward 1951, amended clause dropped. eliminate grounds future judicial conclusions words avoid misunderstanding.' 46 47 There, superfluous; negotiated agreement. relies mostly measure covering same topic House Senate act. later, enacted. differently constituted debated year 1945 1943. So most history, view, concerns Congress, 78th. 49 elimination Exception Clause open labor's prosecuted.1 consequence, Celler amend 'wages bona fide employee.'2 His precise amendment regard including employee.'3 Those objected substantially restore Act.4 50 Biemiller, speaking Amendment said: 51 fear, example, now stands, simple, unfortunate altercation line—and know human beings frail tempers hot trouble may develop—under situation you send man jail fine $10,000.'5 rejected.6 52 Record, Baldwin spoke concensus 53 organized recognized establishing rights, Everyone remember taxicab Baltimore, pertain cabs overthrown, bricks thrown through windows endangering lives people, innocent victims. tactics outright sanctioned. leaders locked participating activities. Yet stand say about it. 54 Chairman, perpetrates sort thing, going beyond bounds reason. Certainly, take organize should abide laws land decency. done today.'7 55 Whittington voiced sentiments: 56 pending provide punishing racketeers rob extort. There justification opposing constitutes invasion rights labor. Robbery punished. Labor owe public. demanding protection laws, urge engaged extortion.'8 57 offered another give defense charge 'did violate Norris-LaGuardia Clayton Railway National Act.'9 voted down;10 touched problem 1951(c), stated 'shall construed repeal, modify affect' laws. References trucking York, farmers bringing produce market extorted 'from shipments might enter Holland Tunnel respective destinations York.'11 58 LaFollette keep intact bar employer.12 too, defeated.13 59 bargaining five involving shooting sabotage transformers substation. members. literally fit definition another. section. 1951(a). seek employee' taken Hence, plainly method 'property another' Seeking certainly unlawful. seems scope just sham substitution work. regime whatever objective, common device condemned 61 Lemke opposed, minority generally right.'14 Whatever thought policy embroiders clearly represent consensus House. No light matter Senate, summarily approved version bill.15 63 easy insulated chambers attractive gloss votes obtained. times, clouded obscure perforce vague words.16 where, here, clear, carry how distasteful undesirable us,17 unless oversteps boundaries. none hardy suggest that. 64 While Kirschbaum Walling, 316 517, 1116, 1119, 1638, 'retrospective deserves stigma legislation,' true retrospective contraction meaning. 65 reverse. appeal 3731 (1964 ed.). 1972 Criminal providing appeals dismissals informations Courts Appeals, instituted January 2, 1971. Omnibus Crime Control 1970, Pub.Law 91—644, 14(a), 84 1890, codified, 3731. Jorn, 400 470, 474 1, 477—478 6, 547, 551, 553, 543. filed October 15, 1970. indicated entire 11908. suggests convoluted construction 'wrongful.' concedes loss employed, illegal. If, hand, used, legal satisfied. accepts redundancy whenever applies 'force' 'violence' statute. See, e.g., Iozzi, Cir., 420 512; Kramer, 355 891, cert. remanded resentencing, 384 100, 1366, 396; Bianchi 219 182. 524, 494; 889. Section provided: 'Any moving move commerce— Obtains obtain, considerations, purchases rental protective employee; '(b) color right; '(c) Commits (a) (b); '(d) Conspires concertedly foregoing acts; shall, upon thereof, guilty felony punished ten $10,000, 2(a) quoted supra. 3(b) excluded 'property,' 'money,' 'valuable considerations.' permeated U.S., 419 525; 527 644, 1004. S. 2347, 77th Cong., Sess.; 6872, 7067, 653, 1st Sess. Callanan 364 587, 591 5, 81 321, 324, 312; supra, 525. Note, Faces Amended 101 U.Pa.L.Rev. 1030, 1033—1034 (1953). proviso 1934: 'That construe impair, diminish, affect organizations carrying objects existing States.' supports decision, see 535, 648, reliance resuscitating decision. 11912 (remarks Rep. Hobbs). 11842 Michener); 11905 Robsion); 11909 Gwynne); Vursell). report Committee Judiciary reproduced '(t)he H.R.Rep. 238, Sess., 10. S.Rep.No.1516, 11841 Walter). 11908 Sumners). 11900 Hancock); 11904 Sumners); 11912—11913 Whittington). remarks respect wholly understanding operative congressional referred 11899—11900 Surely placed sponsor very subsequently cannot dismissed it, given earlier. 3202 Gwynne) (Act 'a clash strikers scabs strike'). proponents defended encroachment ground incorporate York's conventional extortion—'the right.' N.Y. Penal Law 850 (1909). Walter); 11843 ibid., Hobbs); 11906 Robsion). 77; Provenzano, 334 678, 686. Judicial reinforces however militant, extortion. requires "to justice equity party receive." People Cuddihy, 151 Misc. 318, 271 Supplement 450, 456, aff'd, 243 App.Div. 694, 277 960; Weinseimer, 117 603, 616, 102 579, 588, 190 537, 83 Northeastern KF135 N59 1129. An accused goals; sufficient 'was actuated financial benefit himself good faith advance cause unionism Adelstein, A.D.2d 907, 908, 195 N.Y.S.2d 27, 28, aff'd sub nom. Squillante, N.Y.2d 998, 205 332, 169 North 425. highest interpreted received pay-off buy end picketing. Dioguardi, 260, 203 870, 168 683. picketing inception (assuming organizational effort) remained so—despite potentially ruinous employers' businesses—so accomplish organization. character legality criminality, condition cessation 271, N.Y.S.2d, 880, N.E.2d, 690—691. ends actions extortionate. heavily statement Michener, dialogue colleagues, exploitation collect wage—a wage—they engaging activity.' 11843—11844. Michener referring 'robbery exploitation,' continued: 'I understand Stone 11844. Chief Stone's dissenting payoffs 649, 11914 ibid. 11920 Gwynne). above, Circuit. similar Southern Florida June Rutcofsky, 70—101—CR—JE, 24, 1970; Schiffman, 70—102—CR—JE, 25, additional indictment, based 12, 1972, currently pending. Spero, 72—CR 17. briefs advise brought theory—a 1962 Webb, ND Ala., 15080. Realizing breadth argument, brief incidental infrequently consequence atmosphere attending prolonged dispute nothing, either justifies exception. Similarly, dissent's 'mischievous' conduct, 17, begin term. Marcantonio). 11913. 11914; 11914—11915; 11918. 11916. 11917. 11919. follows: employee's include transfer latter threaten body (as distinguished intangible property) former anyone possession, custody, control former, transfer. organization States' ignore, void, set aside, nullify definitions plain subsection hereof.' 7308. Addison Holly Hill, 322 607, 615—616, 1215, 1220—1221, 88 1488, opaque phrase 'area production.' opponents fistfight line bring down offender both. 11916; 414—415. actually argued 78, coercion nonsense, Caldes ruled, 79, specifically touch collective component part. 1951(c). Moreover, by-product frustration engendered prolonged, negotiation,' 78 low-level unfair practices best, state, federal, view.

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