United States Supreme Court Cases & Opinions

U.S. Supreme Court

Weber v. Freed, 239 U.S. 325 (1915)

Weber v. Freed

No. 644

Argued December 1, 1915

Decided December 13, 1915

239 U.S. 325

Syllabus

That the power of Congress over foreign commerce is complete has been so thoroughly settled by former decisions of this Court that to question it is frivolous.

Congress has power to prohibit importation of foreign articles from abroad, including pictorial representations of prize fights designed for public exhibition, and so held that the Act of July 31, 1912, prohibiting such importation, is not unconstitutional. The fact that exhibitions of pictures are under state, and not federal, control does not affect the power of Congress to prohibit importation of articles from foreign countries to be exhibited. The motive of Congress in exerting its plenary power cannot be considered for the purpose of refusing to give effect to such power when exercised.

224 F.3d 5.

Page 239 U. S. 326

The facts, which involve the constitutionality of the Act of July 31, 1012, prohibiting the importation of pictorial representations of prize fights, are stated in the opinion.

Page 239 U. S. 328