Watkins v. United States

This is a review by certiorari of a conviction under 2 U. S. C. § 192 for “contempt of Congress.” The misdemeanor is alleged to have been committed during a *182hearing before a congressional investigating committee. It is not the case of a truculent or contumacious witness who refuses to answer all questions or who, by boisterous or discourteous conduct, disturbs the decorum of the committee room. Petitioner was prosecuted for refusing to make certain disclosures which he asserted to be beyond the authority of the committee to demand. The controversy thus rests upon fundamental principles of the…