delivered the opinion of the court.
In the 62nd Congress, the House of Representatives (H. R. 429, 504) adopted a resolution authorizing the members of the Committee on Banking and Currency to investigate and make a report as to the financial affairs and activities of National Bаnks, interstate corporations and groups* of financiers as a basis for remedial and other legislative purposes. To, that end the Committee was authorized to send for persons and papers and to swear witnesses.
Among those summoned and sworn was the appellant, George G. Henry, who was examined at length as to many matters relating to the formation of syndicates and the flotation of stock. He testified that he was a member of the firm of Salamon & Cо., bankers in New York, who were accustomed to form syndicates for the acquisition and sale of blocks of stock and to grant participation therein to trust companies and national banks — their directors and corporate officers also being frequently members of the same syndicate. In reference to one of these transactions he testified that Salamon & Co. had agreed to pay $8,215,262 for $22,500,000 preferred and common stock in a California oil company; thereupon Salamon & Co., Lewisohn Bros., Hallgarten & Co., bankers in New York, together with a fourth banking firm (whose ñame witness did not disclose) had then formed a syndicate for acquiring and disposing of this *225 $22,500,000 of oil stock. He testified how the shares were allottеd, and that 12% per cent, went to the unnamed persons in the banking group; that in the subsequent disposition of the stock a number of shares were acquired by 15 individuals, some of whom were officers of National Banks located in New York, Chicago and Detroit. Other shares were allotted to those who were officers in Trust Companies in New York and Chicago. Letters were written offering to allot part of this oil stock to the New York syndicate, but before acceptance of the allotment all of the stock had been sold at a profit of nearly'$500,000, a part of which went to the members of the New York syndicate (officers of banks), even though they had not previously accepted the allotmеnt. They thus, in effect, received a present of their share of the profits. He was asked to give the names of those composing the New York syndicate, but claimed to have the right under the Constitution to decline to answer the question, saying also that he "did not want to disclose the names of the participants in the New York syndicate, although he understood it to be the wish of the subcommittee that he should, for the reason that he would consider it dishonorable to revеal the names of his customers unless compelled to do so.”
The Committee ordered the fact of his refusal to answer to be reported to the House for action — majority and minority reports being made. After discussion, the Housе of Representatives directed that the facts should be laid before the Grand Jury of the District of Columbia. That body returned an indictment against Henry charging him with refusing to answer questions propounded by the Committee. Rev. Stat., §§101-104. A "warrant issued and Henry wаs arrested in New York and when taken before the Commissioner demanded an examination.
On the hearing and before the introduction of any testimony, he moved for his discharge on the ground that *226 the Commissioner was without jurisdiction, since it appeared on the face of the complaint that petitioner was not charged with any offense against the United States.
The motion was denied and, it having been admitted that Henry was the person described in the indictment, the Governmеnt introduced the bench warrant and a certified copy of the indictment as sufficient proof of probable cause.
The petitioner then offered in evidence the Resolution defining the scope of the inquiry, with a transcriрt of his testimony before the Committee — including the question which he refused to answer and his reasons therefor. Copies of the majority and minority Reports to the House were also incorporated in the' record. After argument the Cоmmissioner ordered Henry to be held in custody until the District Judge could issue a warrant for his removal to the District of Columbia under the provisions of Section 1014, Revised Statutes.
Thereupon Henry applied to the District Judge for a writ of habeas corpus, and on the hearing introduced all of the testimony that had been submitted to the Commissioner, and asked for his discharge on grounds similar to those which had been presented to the committing magistrate.
After argument the District Judge discharged the writ, and an appeal was entered to this court where petitioner’s counsel, renewing the objections made in the District Court, insist that the Resolution did not authorize an inquiry as to the matter about which Henry refused to testify; that thn facts charged do not constitute an offense under the statute; or, if so, that the statute is void. On the authority of
In re Chapman,
The Gоvernment, on the other hand, insists that Rev. Stat., § 104, is constitutional and'that Congress may provide for the punishment of witnesses who, in answer to a question propounded by its authority, fail to make noncriminatory disclosures and furnish information deemed necessary as a basis for legislation.
These important and far-reaching questions, though elaborately argued, should not be decided on this record, in view of the rule, relied on by the Government, that such issues must primarily be determined by the trial cоurt.
The petitioner, however, relying specially on
Greene
v.
Henkel,
When a person under arrest applies for discharge on
*228
writ of
habeas corpus
the issue presented is whether he is unlawfully restrained of his liberty. Rev. Stat., § 752. But there is no unlawful restraint where he is held under a valid order of commitment, so that in strict logic the inquiry might extend to the legal sufficiency of the order. In view, however, of the nature of the writ and of the character of the detention under a warrant, no hard and ■ fast rule has been announced as to how far the court will go in passing upon questions raised in
habeas corpus
proceedings. In cases which involve a conflict of jurisdiction between state and Federal authorities, or where the treаty rights and obligations of the United States are involved, and in that class of cases pointed out in
Ex parte Royall,
The question has been before this court in many cases— some on original application and others on writ of error; in proceedings which began after arrest and before commitment; after commitment'and before conviction; after *229 conviction and before review. The applications were •based on the ground of the insufficiency of the charge, the insufficiency of the evidenсe, or the unconstitutionality of the statute, state or Federal, on which the charge was 'based. In some of the cases the applicants have advanced the same arguments that are here pressed, including that of the hаrdship of being taken to a distant State for trial upon an indictment alleged to be void.
But in all these instances, and notwithstanding the variety of forms in which the question has been presented, the court, with the exceptions named, has uniformly held thаt the hearing on
habeas corpus
is not in the nature of a writ of error nor is it intended as a substitute for the functions of the trial court.. Manifestly, this is true as to disputed questions of fact, and it is equally so as to disputed matters of law, whether they relate to the sufficiency of the indictment or the validity of the statute on which the charge is based. These and all other controverted matters of law and fact are for the determination of the trial court. If the objections are sustained or if the defendant is acquitted he will be discharged. If they are overruled and he is convicted he has his right of review.
Kaizo
v.
Henry,
The last of these decisions is particularly in point not only because of the applicability of its reasoning to the
*230
present case, but because of the fact that the writ was there.denied even though the statute, on which the charge was based, was ultimately held to be void.
Royall
v.
Virginia,
The cases cited do not, of course, lead to the conclusion that a citizen can be held in custody or removed for trial where there was no provision of the common law or statute making an offense of the acts charged. In. such case the committing court would have no jurisdiction, the prisoner would be in custody without warrant of law and therefore entitled to his discharge.
Greene
v.
Henkel,
Neither the issue nor the basis of the decision is сhanged when the person held under the warrant applies to a District Judge for discharge on writ of habeas corpus. So likewise the same issue and the same rule of decision must govern when the case is here on appeal from the order of thе habeas corpus tribunal. It follows therefore that this court should not on this record pass on the jurisdictional questions presented. They like all other controverted issues in the case are for the determination of the courts of the District of Columbia when the defendant is.therein put to his trial.
Judgment affirmed.