The age-herald., 1898-05-18
AGREEMENT TO FIX PRICES

The drug war, which has apparently set tied down to peace blockade, may bring forth some startling developments.
 From almost every drug store in the city flies streamer with such inscriptions as "We are the original cutters,' etc. The war is fierce and the people say they don't care how long it lass.
 It is said that heretofore there has been an agreement by which the druggists bounds themselves not to fall below cer- tain price on patent medicines. This, it is e aimed, was nothing more nor less than plan to regulate prices, which, up to a few weeks ago, was successful. Lundie Slo s. of the Sloss Pharmacy, gives copy of the agreement which he refused to sign A number of f1awyers were seen and shown copy of the agreement, and some difference of opinion as to whether this agreement was a basis of a trust was expressed Many claimed that it was in direct violation of the state law prohibiting trusts. Otte-s also thought it was a violation of the federal law known as the Sherman act The matter will probably be examined by high legal authority, and if it is found that a trust has been maintained the next step will be to the grand jury.
 ''All of the druggists pretending to be the first to nauguarte the cut rate war, said Lundie Sloss of the Sloss Pharmacy, to reporter last night;
 Many or t0eIIl nave lldu tue duudSity to paste my prices in their windows. In order to show that we were the original cutters, here is a copy of an agreement signed by nearly every druggist in the city, the presi- dent of the association being member or the firm which so consistently claims to have first lowered prices.'
 The following is copy of the agreement alluded to by MT. Sloss:
 Agreement to Regulate Prices
 aJ drup of Rir- mingham do hereby agree to maintain the prices of patent medicines and other arti- cles as set forth in price list prepared by us to arrange the same and to abide by said, prices or any changes which may De made in them from time to time, as we see fit. If any druggist shall sell or allow to be sold any article at less than the ar ranged price, he or they shall forfeit the attached note made in favor of the Chari- ty hospital of Birmingham on a vote of the majority of the druggists attending the meeting to investigate the charge.
 It is understood that this agreement does not hold good unless signed by every druggist in the city and if broken by any one of the sgners and a new note not being given, then the contract becomes null and void."
 The Law on the Question
 s.No, never signed the agreement" con- tinued MT. Sloss in answer to an inquiry. 'I know the law too well,' and he read from a slip of typewritterf paper the fol- lowing:
 Article 5. Pools, Trusts and Combines 5557. Forming Pools or Combinations to Regulate the Quantity or Price of Pro- ducts.-Any person corporation who en- gages or agrees with other persons or cor poratons, or ents-s into, directly or in- directly any combination. pool, trust or confederation to regulate or fix the price of an arficIa n commodity n 10 sold within this state. for speculation. or any person or corporation who enters into, be- comes a member of or party to any pool. agreement combination or confederation to fix or limit the quantity of any article or comodity to be produced manufac- tured, mined or sold in this statef must, on conviction, be fined not less than five hundred, nor more than two thousand dollars
 555S Combinations to Control Corpora tions With Intent to Fix the Price or Pro- duction of Commodities-Any corporation chartered under the laws of this state, or any officer. stockholder, agent or employe of any such corporation which enters into any combination with any other corpora. tion or person with the intent to place the management or control of any such corporation in the hands of another cor poration or person and thereby limit or fix the price or restrict or diminish the production, manufacture. sale, use, or con sumption of any article of commerce. must, on conviction. be fined not less than five hundred, nor more than two thousand dollars.
 555s. Preceding Two Sections Given in Special Char~e = ~-and Juries-The pre- ceediv' ~tven in spe-