Shaffer v. United States
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
255 F. 886 (1919)
Relevant factsFree
Shaffer (defendant) mailed and distributed copies of a book critical of the war and of patriotism generally, arguing the war was unjustified and that no cause was worth an American soldier's life, and was found to have hidden additional copies of the book on his property; he was convicted of violating the Espionage Act of 1917 for distributing this material, and appealed.
IssueFree
Whether the Espionage Act of 1917 prohibits the publication of material that is intended to obstruct the military's recruitment or enlistment of servicemen.