Paulsen v. United States
Opinion of the Court
The plaintiffs in error were convicted of a violation of the act of Congress known as the “White Slave Traffic Act” (Act June 25, 1910, c. 395, 36 Stat. 825 [U. S. Comp. St. Supp. 1911, p. 1343]), and sued out this writ of error to review the judgment of the District Court entered upon the verdict.
“Seattle, Washington, December 7, 1910.
“Neis Paulsen, Burke, Idaho. Wire $50 at once for violin player. Can you use cornet player? If so, can get two more A No. 1. I would take him for a while I think. You can get him for three and the violin for three fifty. That will make four. Besides I am going to Everett in the morning for the others.' R. is here. Will see her to-morrow morning. Answer in regard to cornet. “Mrs. Neis Paulsen.”
One of the government inspectors testified that the defendants to the indictment admitted to him the sending by Neis and the receipt by Laura Paulsen of the money mentioned in the telegram, and that ■the initial “R.,” mentioned therein, referred to the girl Ruth, and that the reference therein to Laura Paulsen’s going to Everett for two more had reference to the women Mabel Bell and Jennie Smith, all three of whom, the evidence shows, were among the four procured and transported to Burke by the plaintiffs in error. The evidence showed that the women wore low-necked dresses, short skirts, and kimonos, received no wages, but a commission of 40 per cent, on each bottle of beer they sold to the men whom they solicited to their rooms, and $2 extra “if they had anything out of the way to do with the men.”
In the face of such surroundings and uncontroverted facts, it is idle to contend that the evidence was insufficient to sustain the verdict, finding that the purpose for which the women in question were transported was that of prostitution.
The judgment is affirmed.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- PAULSEN v. UNITED STATES
- Status
- Published