[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 210 (Wednesday, October 31, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61679-61680]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-5390]


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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Antitrust Division


Proposed Termination of Judgment

    Notice is hereby given that defendant Hilton Hotels Corp. 
(``Hilton'') and Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide Inc. 
(``Starwood''), a successor in interest to both defendant ITT Sheraton 
Corporation of America (``Sheraton'')

[[Page 61680]]

and defendant Western International Hotel Corporation (``Westin''), 
have filed a motion to terminate the Partial Final Judgment entered in 
United States v. Greater Portland Convention Association, Inc., et al., 
Civil No. 70-310, 1971 Trade Cas. (CCH) ]73,731 (D.Or. 1971) on 
November 29, 1971 (``Partial Final Judgment'') and the Final Judgment 
entered in United States v. Greater Portland Convention Association, 
Inc., et al., Civil No. 70-310, 1973 Trade Cas. (CCH) ]74,614 (D.Or. 
1973) on September 14, 1973 (``Final Judgment''). Notice is also hereby 
given that the Antitrust Division of the United States Department of 
Justice (``the Department''), in a stipulation also filed with the 
Court, has tentatively consented to termination of the Partial Final 
Judgment and the Final Judgment, but has reserved the right to withdraw 
its consent pending receipt of public comments.
    On May 12, 1970, the United States filed a complaint alleging the 
defendants had conspired to restrain trade and commerce in the 
distribution and sale of hotel supplies. Essentially, the complaint 
charged the defendants with agreeing (i) to assess an amount of money 
fixed by the hotels to be paid to GPCA as contributions by hotel 
suppliers, (ii) to give preference in the purchase of hotel supplies to 
any hotel supplier who did so contribute, and (iii) to curtail 
purchases from any hotel supplier who failed or refused to contribute 
money to the GPCA.
    Prior to trial, four of the five defendants; Hilton, GPCA, ITT 
Sheraton, and Cosmopolitan Investment Inc., settled the charges by 
accepting entry of the Partial Final Judgment on November 29, 1971. The 
fifth hotel defendant, Westin, was tried by jury from November 30-
December 4, 1970. The jury found that Westin had violated Sec.  1 of 
the Sherman Act, and Westin appealed this decision to the Ninth 
Circuit. United States v. Hilton Hotels Corporation., et al. 467 F.2d 
1000 (9th Cir. 1972) cert. denied, 93 S.Ct. 938 (1973). On September 
26, 1972, the Ninth Circuit affirmed. Westin entered into the Final 
Judgment on September 14, 1973.
    The Department has filed with the Court a memorandum setting forth 
the reasons why the United States believes that termination of the 
Partial Final Judgment would serve the public interest. Copies of the 
motion to terminate, the stipulation containing the United States' 
tentative consent, the United States' memorandum, and all further 
papers filed with the Court in connection with the motion to terminate 
will be available for inspection at the Antitrust Documents Group, 
Antitrust Division, Room 215, 325 7th Street, NW., Washington, DC 
20004, on the Web site www.usdoj.gov/atr, and at the Office of the 
Clerk of the United States District Court for the District of Oregon. 
Copies of these materials may be obtained from the Antitrust Division 
upon request and payment of the copying fee set by the Department of 
Justice regulations.
    Interested persons may submit comments regarding the proposed 
termination of the Partial Final Judgment and the Final Judgment to the 
United States. Such comments must be received by the Antitrust Division 
within sixty (60) days and will be filed with the Court by the United 
States. Comments should be addressed to John R. Read, Chief, Litigation 
III Section, Antitrust Division, U.S. Department of Justice, 325 7th 
Street, NW., Suite 300, Washington, DC 20530, (202) 307-0468.

J. Robert Kramer II,
Director of Operations.
[FR Doc. 07-5390 Filed 10-30-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410-11-M