William O. Douglas

“ While she was being questioned by the agents, petitioner returned to the station in his car. They immediately arrested him on the same charge as the attendant [2] and searched his car. They demanded and received from him the keys to tin boxes attached to the gasoline pumps and in which gasoline ration coupons were kept. One of them began to examine and measure the gasoline storage tanks and their contents. It soon appeared that the gasoline ration coupons found in the tin boxes were not sufficient to cover the amount by which the capacity of the storage tanks had been diminished by sales. ”

“ At the times relevant here, gasoline was rationed. Dealers could lawfully sell it only on receipt of ration coupons. [4] They in turn could receive their supplies of gasoline from the distributors only on delivery of coupons. [5] It was required that a dealer at all times have coupons on hand at his place of business or in a bank equal to but not in excess of the gallonage necessary to fill his storage tanks. ”

“ IV § 633, 50 U.S.C.A.Appendix, § 633, Sec. 2 (a) provides in part↑ Selling gasoline without receipt of ration coupons, selling gasoline in excess of the ceiling price, or unlawfully possessing ration coupons is a misdemeanor. See § 2 (a) , supra, note 1. A felony is an offense punished by death or imprisonment for a term exceeding one year. ”

“ It reflects a dual purpose-protection of the privacy of the individual, his right to be 1et alone; protection of the individual against compulsory production of evidence to be used against him. Boyd v. ”