United States Supreme Court Cases & Opinions

U.S. Supreme Court

United States v. Portale, 235 U.S. 27 (1914)

United States v. Portale

No. 382

Argued October 22, 1914

Decided November 2, 1914

235 U.S. 27

Syllabus

The provision of § 6 of the White Slave Act of June 25, 1910, requiring filing of statements in regard to the harboring of women brought into this country for purposes of prostitution is not confined to persons who have had to do directly or indirectly with the bringing in or sending forth of such women.

As the statute on which the indictment is based was enacted in pursuance of an international agreement which requires every person to perform an act which may be assistance to the governments, it is construed literally, as reading it otherwise would deprive the government of such assistance to no good end.

Where, as in this case, the writ of error was taken by the government under the Criminal Appeals Act of March 2, 1907, on a single ruling,

Page 235 U. S. 28

reversal of the judgment sustaining the demurrer is based on that ruling alone, and is without prejudice to further action of the court below consistent with the opinion of this Court.

The facts, which involve the construction of § 6 of the White Slave Act of June 25, 1910, are stated in the opinion.

Page 235 U. S. 29