The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-02-13
TEXAS ANTITRUST LAW
Some Of the Biz Combines Are Making q
Vigorous Fight.
DEMAND THAT CASH ACCOMPANY ORDERS
Some Threaten TO Withdraw Entire
u. from the stDte-Letters from
Two of the Trusts,

Members OF The various trusts are re-
sorting to desperate methods in their CT
forts TO enlist the sympathy Of the NOR
chants of Texas against tho anti-trust law
which went into effect on tho list instant, .
said Mr.. Theo. Bering to representative
OF TIE Post yesterday.
Merchants all over the State hav,
been receiving communications during tue
past few weeks in which some of the bis
octopi announce their Intention OF with
drawing from the State, OF allowing NJ
more cgedit to Texas customers and OF
doing numerous other things calculated to
friEhten the aforesaid merchant into 10
ing his influence against The law passed
by last years session of the legislature
1T IS pointed out in every instance that
the antitrust law and not the trust itself
is tho feature which Is having the effect
OF compelling the merchant to pay high
cash prices for everything he buys or not
buy IL at all. In most ol the cases whieh
have come under my observation, accord
ing to my opinion the concerns making
such threats and tsing such arguments are
really putting up an enormous bluff /
nave no doubt thai most of them. rather
than lose their Texas business, will even
tually comply with the terms of the law
There are some, however. which really
have 1t in their power TO put the mer-
chants of the State at a disadvantage. The
ammunition trust. which operates under
the name Of the Ammunition Manufac-
turers association, Is one OF these The
four largest manufacturing concerns N
the United States are members of the as
ISOLATION and the only non-trust house IN
the business manufactures class OF goods
which is by no means as well known as
the output of the others, aud with which
NC may have some difficulty in Introducing
properly in the event that the high handed
methods of the trust makes business with
its members practically impossible. only
a few DAYS ago the largest ana best known
of the four concerns In the trust advised
us that after February | all orders must
he accompanied by cash. They claimed
that they were unable to determine OK
actly how the law in question would oper-
ate and that until some ruling IN the prem
ises was made by a compeie nt court they
would be unable to continue any of the
business aereements heretofore had With
Texas concerns.
This Of course sounds very plausible
and might go very we'll with anyone who
is not fully acquainted with the perni-
cious effects OF the trusts now in existence.
Some weak minded people might really be
led TO believe that the anttrusl law was
intended to work a hardship on the inter
ests 1t was meant to reach and that the
which have only paltry few
million at their disposal will really suffer
rs result OF the enactment OF the law
which was, in my mind, undoubtedly
passed Ter the best interests Of ceery one
in Texas
Under The same date as that OF the let
ter Just referred 10 the Ammunition Mau-
uJacturcrs' association sent out the follow
ing from the N6w York headquarters Of
Tho concern.
In consequence OF The new law
nov governing trade in Texas. which
soes INFO effect On February / and our
uncertainty az 10 its meaning and
scope, We arc. advised TO Withdraw
from d1ng business in your state
The agreements Therefore, which
you hold wi'n US are hereby cancelled
and terminated; toH in adopting this
course Il is our expectation that your
prppts heretofore enjoyed VIII con-
tinue the same. provided our relations
are as pleasant in ne future as they
have bseu in the past)
We desire 20 comply with every
provision OF law, but when our atto,-
neys advise us that under the language
OF his act there is doubt whether We
can carry on trade in Texas without
the risk OF possibly aud unintentiou-
ANY violating its laws, we consider it
hes to STOP, aud hope that some time
In the future by modification of the
statute, IL may be possible TO resume
our former relations.
AS | have ALREADY said, this trust is
'eaily in position TO, perhaps, cause some
lttle inc nvenience among the members
II the trade ia Texas for the reasons al
'eady pointed out. However. the goods |
by the concern which Is not
member OF the trust win undoubtedly
ma better market here in the future
Is they become better known and cou-
nmers IN general become informed as 10
he positi,n OF tne giganUic combine wnitn
; literally sucking the lifeblood out Of
dealers and users in all parts
u he country
Another actupus which * MAKING
llg oiun just at present is the hicyols
rust, otherwise known as the Americar
ilcyele company, which controls some
mug over - per cen, Of the total output
y wheel IN this country One member ~
ms gigantic business luggernaut sends
mt ne following exceedingly smooth
communication under date OF February =:
we beg 90 call your attention 10 the
9-ehlled anti trust law which became
N,''N "a 'fi' RAiAN OF texas on Dfbru. .
ny ], and which apparently relieves all
EDITORS from the legal necessity of nay
ne for any merchandise purchased OF
ontracted for, in all transactions where
trust as determined by your courts
the creditor.
ibis company Is not in any sense a
rust or pool. but simply a corporation
men has bought and paid for the fac.
orles ana plants wherein its output IA
Manufactured Under the law referred to.
oWeVer. II is expressly stated that the
haraeter Of the trust or combination al. {
sged. may be established by proof OF lis '
eneral reputation as such Our business
OF such magnitude in your Stale thnl !
e can not afford 10 take the risk OF being I
lolected to endless litigation in order 70 :
plleet accounts due for merchandise hon. I
stiy sold. at honest prices.
therefore. rather than be subject ,n
le caprice OF some court that NAV hs ,
allied upon to determine the ouestio, ~ ,
II being a trust and possibly losa ~ :
alue OF all shipments made 10 vSmr
Iale, We see no way TO safely confinna
oing business in Texas excepting IN -
ilre cash in advance Tor all bicyel.s anr
gents may order. 'N' Il
We take this step with extrena
otance and regret. as II Is no dos,s
~ policy OF this comDany to meet our S
tents and dealers in Texas in the sane 5
'irlt OF iiberality and confidence mar ~, i
deayor 90 extend elsewhere.
The particularly obnoxious nroviston.
me ieSas statute above referred q