Mahlon Pitney

“ In order that the vast and complicated operations of the government of the United States shall be carried on successfully and with a minimum of friction and obstruction, it is important-or, at least, Congress reasonably might so consider it-not only that the authority of the governmental officers and employees be respected in particular cases, but that a spirit of respect and good will for the government and its officers shall generally prevail. ”

“ It is the false pretense of Federal authority that is the mischief to be cured; of course, only when accompanied with fraudulent intent, but such a pretense would rarely be made for benevolent purposes. ”

“ To 'falsely assume or pretend to be an officer or employee acting under the authority of the United States, or any department, or any officer of the government thereof,' is the thing prohibited. One who falsely assumes or pretends to hold an office that has a de jure existence is admittedly within its meaning. That is, where the assumption or pretense is false in part, but contains a modicum of truth, the statute is violated. ”