United States v. Enmons

Supreme Court of the United States

410 U.S. 396

United States  v.  Enmons et al.

Appeal from the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana

No. 71-1193.  Argued: December 4, 1972 --- Decided: February 22, 1973

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) to achieve legitimate union objectives, such as higher wages in return for genuine services that the employer seeks. Pp. 399-411.

335 F.Supp. 641, affirmed.


STEWART, J., delivered the opinion of the Court, in which BRENNAN, WHITE, MARSHALL, and BLACKMUN, JJ., joined. BLACKMUN, J., filed a concurring opinion, post, p. 412. DOUGLAS, J., filed a dissenting opinion, in which BURGER, C.J., and POWELL and REHNQUIST, JJ., joined, post, p. 413.


William Bradford Reynolds argued the cause for the United States. With him on the briefs were Solicitor General Griswold, Assistant Attorney General Petersen, and Jerome M. Feit.

Bernard Dunau argued the cause for appellees. With him on the briefs were Louis Sherman, Thomas X. Dunn, Elihu I. Leifer, Alex W. Wall, and Sam J. D'Amico.[1]

Notes

  1. ↑ Briefs of amici curiae urging reversal were filed by Milton Smith and Jerry Kronenberg for the Chamber of Commerce of the United States, and by Arthur B. Hanson and Ralph N. Albright, Jr., for the American Newspaper Publishers Association.
    J. Albert Woll, Laurence Gold, and Thomas E. Harris filed a brief for the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations as amicus curiae urging affirmance.
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