Hugo Black

“ The 1903 Act was amended in 1906 so as to limit its application 'only to a natural person who, in obedience to a subpoena, gives testimony under oath or produces evidence, documentary or otherwise, under oath.' The Court holds that the word 'proceeding' in the 1903 Act 'applies only to persons testifying in judicial proceedings.' This narrow and grudging interpretation of the Act is, in my judgment, not justified by either the language or the history of the legislation. ”

“ Without at all attempting to limit the kinds of 'proceeding' in which the witness can earn the promised immunity, Congress followed the President's suggestion and provided in the 1966 amendment to the 1903 Immunity Act now before us that the immunity would apply only to individuals testifying in obedience to subpoena and under oath. ”

“ The very fact that the Court must labor so long and hard to reach its result is in my judgment strong evidence that that result should not have been reached, for I think that when the Government makes an obligation in broad terms on which individuals have a reasonable right to rely, it should not seek to have all doubts resolved in its own favor against the private citizens who have taken it at its word. ”