The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1902-05-03
FIGHT ON THE TRUST.
Attorney General Knox Is TO Look
Over the Bill Before Il Is Filed.
THE PRINCIPAL POINTS
Have Been Conc Over by Judge Day
and the District Attorney,
AN AGREEMENT IS ALLEGED
Which Includes Running Of Retail ers and
Division Of Territory.
ALL THE BIG PACKERS ARE INCLUDED
Commission Men and the cattlemen Arc
Getting the Hot End of the Agita-
ton Just Now,
Have Been Conc Over by Judge Day
and the District Attorney,
AN AGREEMENT IS ALLEGED
Which Includes Running Of Retail ers and
a Division Of Territory.
ALL THE BIG PACKERS ARE INCLUDED

Chicago, May 2.-ofdcial announcement
was made today that the bill for injunction
against Chicago packing corporations would
not be fled by the United States govern
ment until next week.
w. A. Day, special attorney Of the de
partment Of justice, win take with him to
Washington tonight a copy Of the bill in
order that 1t may be reviewed by Attorney
General Knox.
Many points in the allegations upon
which United States District Attorney
Bethea will base his application for an
injunction to restrain the greed Of the beef
trust were learned today from an author
itative source. AS they have been out
lined in the conferences between Mr.. Be
thea and former Judge Day the points are
as follows:
That combination has existed among
the big packers TO raise and lower prices
of meats to retailers and consumers, ire
spective Of natural market conditions, this
combination forming under the statutes OF
the government a trust.
That the packers have had among them
selves a profit sharing and eNpense-shad-
ing organization not formed by incorpora-
tlon, but partnkng OF all the features
Of trust according 10 the statutes
That by secret verbal and written agree
mcnt the big packers have restrained whole
sale and retail meat trade; have discrim-
mated between patrons have "bulled" and
''beared" markets for personal gain, and
Irrespective of the statutes provided.
That in combination the biz packers have
forced and accepted discriminating rates
from railways OF the country, to the In
! jury Of similar interests not in the con-
| uiuation.
That the so-called Credit agreement" is
no more or less than a trust agreement 10
control the meat market Of New York and
other large cities.
That territory is.divided among the big
packers for stock buying and neat selling
purposes and that trade Is NOT only ie-
\ strained but competition DESTROYED.
That these acts are offensive 10 the in
| ternatlonal commerce Of the United States,
! an imposition upon the people and viola
! ton of the law,
1t is said that the names Of the mem
bers of the big packing firms all appear
! in the bill in connection with those Of
number of important subordlnntes.
Rumors continue TO be numerous that
Federal grand jury proceedings are to grow
out Of this bill, and that indictments may
supplement the governments demand for
a permanent injunction against the big
packers.
1t is expected that the long-looked-for
bill when filed VIII contain a definition Of
the scope of the alleged combination and
that this definition will he Of this char
actcr:
Comforting upon an arbitrator mutually
selected the right TO examine all books,
papers and accounts Of the trust branches.
To impose fine of not more than $50
for every violation of the agreement dis
covered.
To impose a hne of not more than $50
upon any employe who disclosed business
secrets.
To make decision from which there is
no nppeal when the members Of the com
binatIon disagree as to the disposition to
be made of a delinquent butcher.
To place on blacklist dealers who did
not accent the rule of paying bills by the
Tuesday following the purchases.
To place on blacklist dealers whose
checks were not mailed later than the day
following the receipt of a bill
To collect from the fines imposed all CT
nenses Of the arhitrator's office.
The carriage stun established by tbs
packers. Il IS said. win form part OF tho
submitted proof by the government of the
truth of It's allegations. II appears from
evidence placed In the hands Of Mr.. Bethei
that the big packers have taken from them
selves the expenses Of delivery OF meats
and established n carriage tarIn Of rate
from . to 10 cents per 100 pounds, and also
so much by the piece. according to the cut,
ordered.
Only small shipments OF cattle saved tn,
complete decentralization OF tho market a
the stock yards today. As II is the pani
continues and commission men are noodini
the West to hold back the cattle from
ruinous prices
Curses and protests are being heapet
upon the packers by shippers and com
mission men, who assert that the marke
has been manipulated TO their pndolng.
Heretofore they have been receiving
small portion Of the beEefts OF tho higl
prices and saw no evil In the greed o
the trust. But now they have turner
upon the trust as bitterly as the dea,er
who have been driven out OF business
They declare unhesitatlngly that the pack
ers have trlcked them.
The packers themselves decline TO sa
anything in explanation OF their conduct
and refuse to be interviewed.
Commission men were forced 10 dispos
Of their stale" cattle today at a rurtne
drop or 3 cents, ana they are 'aavising a
shippers who have the pasture. 20 hold thei
cattle until fall, II necessary. rather thai