New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-27
INVESTIGATING AN ALLEGED TRUST.
FINAL, HEARING IN THE SUIT TO REVOKE THE
CHARTER OF THE AMERICAN TOBACCO
COMPANY

FINAL HEARING IN THE SUIT TO REVOKE THE
CHARTER OF THE AMERICAN TOBACCO
COMPANY.
The final hearing n the proceedings taken IN the
Chancery Court of New-Jersey by John X. Miller q
Sons. Of Newark. against the American looaeoo
Company hogan before Vice-ChanceIor heeo ia
Newark yesterday -
The object OF the suit is 10 prove that the AneTl-
can Tobacco Company is trust. and. to that emo
,estrnonv covering 1900 typewriter pages has been
taken before Commissioners in New-Nork 81 Ions,
Indianapolis. Philadelphia, Boston. Syracuse ana
Rochester Miller g. co. represent an organized op-
position to the American Tobacco Company
In court yesterday the company was represented
by Joseph H. Choate. of New-York; X '. LINDA
hurry NJ Elizabeth and W. W. Fuller. OF North caro-
lima Associated with these lawyers are also GILBERT
Collins OF Jersey City, and Lucien oudih ana haph
Oakley Of New-York. Thomas ~ McCarter 81. r
W. Stevens and Thomas y. McCarter' IT, OF new
ark and B. F. Einsten. Nj $ Guiterman ana eHN
a Levy. Of New-York. were the lawyers for Miller
e. Son.
Thomas n McCarter ST., read the Dill OF com
nlaint The object Of the suit according TO the Di.'
is to revoke the charter OF the American A0"a10'
Company granted by the State OF New-Jer'ey' De
cause OF the Illegal Of its franchises IN thai II
makes use Of them 10 establish a monopoly III ti'
,r.ds nj paper cigarettes and 10 prevent all compe
tItion In this product. further OBJECT Is 10 e''
the American Tobacco Company from continuing "
conduct its business IN the manner set out IN the
hill IL Ia charged that the company has adopted d
device by which It makes all It's customers us con-
signees or agents. gives them certain perceh'asc
for handling It's goods. and does not sen t"e'h ~
tohhers The complanants allege that the American
Tobacco Company made all It's customers sign an
agreement by which the jobbers are required 10
promise 10 handle no goods OF other manufacturers
II the company discovers any jobber 80 DONG. " mn
noedately revokes the agreement ana refuses 10 con-
sign sny more goods or allow a commission. nc
goods OF the American Tobacco COMPANY are H.
ard goods and comprise over 30 per cent Oh al inc
o.. .s cgareftss manufactured In this country
'T-he complainants declare that they Were iaise
iobbers In Newark doing business Tor me Amer 10,
yrohacco Company, and that two years ago my
commenced 10 handle the cigarettes Know dh ~
,,rai cigarettes made by the Natlonh Clsai. -
and Tobacco Company; that Immediately upon ''i.o
Incoming known they were requested 10 cease oo
So,np nv the American Tobacco Company, ana Wneh
they refused all further consgnnnents Oh Tue ra re-
e,tss OF The American Tobacco Company WEI" t IT,
Snssd them thus entalling upon them greai iHss.
Mr. Lind bury read the answer OF the oDacco
f.rronsnx II admitted formation OF tNc co'n-
nanv ~ set out in the bill. but denied the nleht 20
fnrn1o q trust or monopoly and also me iIesa.y
~ ~ The acts OF the company The company, as the
go business pollcy sells only through agents OF
its own Miller Son. after the reorsan,% a a =.
80. National Cigarette and Tobacco Company, ac-
ccnn,ed mai companys agency for newark ana I'M
Ssrtriy used the goods Of the American Company 10
ell The goods Of the National Company -.
The reading of the voluminous testimony Whlch
80 taken in rious parts OF the country VIII oc-
cuny about two days The nearing OF oral 'es'i-
mony will begin on MONDAY