The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-04-21
GODDARD Will ACT.
Preparing to Bring Suit Against
Plumbers Association.
VIII Ask Court to Dissolve 1t
on Antitrust Grounds.
DETAILS INCOMPLETE.
Attorney General Has Promised
to Commence Action Soon.
Wholesalers Said to Be Ready
to Assist.

Attorney General GODDARD, who said
that the Standard Oil trust would not
be prosecuted for violations of the Kan
sas antitrust law, because the combi-
nation had proven beneficial rather
than disastrous to the consumer, shows
some signs Of opening a war on the
plumbers.
1t has been the settled policy Of this
administration to make no fight against
combinations or trusts, though Gov
ernOr Stanley has made several speeches
against them. But the showing made
In the Shawnee district court by the
fight against the plumbers combine
was such that the evidence Is likely to
be used by the attorney general in an
action to be maintained by his depart
ment against this combination.
The plan for this proceeding has not
been fully completed, but the word of
Mr.. GODDARD has been given that such
action is in contemplation, and that the
plans are partially complete.
Mr. GODDARD will work along the lines
which were followed by E. D. Mckee
yer in the suit which he brought against
the plumbers combination and much of
the evidence produced there will be used
in the important suit to dissolve the
combine and compel the plumbers to
do business without the restrictions Of
schedules and agreements as to prices
for work and sundries.
It has been shown to the attorney
general that there is in effect amc1g
the members of the plumbers associa-
ton an agreement which prohibits
them from selling materials to man who
are not members, and that this rule has
been extended so as to include the pur-
chase of materials from the whole
salers.
The wholesalers themselves are said
to be willing to come to Kansas with
their records and letters to furnish evil
dence that the plumbers association is
a combine which attempts to dictate
to them the methods (which shall be
pursued in the transaction of their bust
ness so far as sales are concerned.
1t has been proven to the entire sat
isfaction of the attorney general that
this ss0ciatiOn maintains a cOmbina-
ton against the admission of new mem
bers in towns especially where there are
already established plumbing shops.
The evidence shows that the appli-
cants must first put up $50 as a mem
bership fee. Then in some instances as
has been proven in court, which evil
dence is now being prepared for the
use of the attorney general, men have
been admitted but the association has
persistently refused to permit him to
purchase goods with which to carry on
his business.
These matters are of record and the
evidence which sustained the local cen
tention that there is. a plumbers trust
was conclusive, and the district curt
rendered a judgment against the COM
bination.
This evidence will be made a part OF
the proceeding which the attorney gen
eral has promised to establish, in which
court he has not yet decided.
The wholesalers have some grievances
and assure the attorney general he will
experience no difficulty in securing
sufficient evidence upon which to make
"a tangible showing.
Recently a Topeka man went to st
Louis at the request of the wholesale
plumbers and master plumbers asso-
citation. There he was entertained and
given q large amount of important evil
dence which the attorney general now
has at his command in the proposed
proceeding.
Unless Mr.. GODDARD should change his
mind. the proceeding against the
plumbers trust will not be long de-
layed. because he has already promised
to begin as soon as possible.