Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1902-05-13
THE BEEF SUIT IS BEGUN.
United States Attorney Bethen-
Restraining order Asked.

Chicngo, May IA restraining or
der was asked late Saturday against
leading packers, including j. Ogden
Armour, Nelson Morris, G. f. Swift,
the corporations they represent, the
shareholders of the companies, their
managers, including Arthur Meeker,
Louis F. Swift and others, and several
other employees Of the companies al
legged to be in "beef combine" Tho
action Is brought by the United States
government for alleged violation Of
the Sherman antitrust cot. The Long
expected bill was fled by United States
Attorney Sol Bethea at four o'clock
Saturday afternoon. The bill is far
more sweeping in it's charges than had
been anticipated and the parties named
in 1t make long list.
Asynopsis Of the bill follows,
The bill Of complaint is against Swift
& Co., the Cudahy Packing company,
the Hammond Packing company. Armour
& Co., the Armour Packing company,
the g. H Hammond company, Schwarzs-
child & Sulzberger, Nelson Morris &
Co., and the individuals composing these
corporations and firms
1t declares that they have been, and
are now engaged in the business OF buy
ing live stock at stock yards through
out the United States. and Strengthening
such live stock at plants maintained for
that purpose; that they are also engaged
in the business of selling fresh meats to
dealers and consumers. and shipping
these meats over the lines Of railroad
companies serving as common carriers
The defendants. 1t IS alleged, control
about 60 per cent. Of the total volume OF
the trade. having. during 1901. purchased,
slaughtered. sold and shipped 100000
cattle. 100000 sheep and 100000 hogs.
In violation of the provisions of IAN
act to protect trade and commerce
against unlawful restraints and monop.
olies," and in order to restrain compe-
titon among themselves. they have d.
rected and required their agents at the
various stock yards TO refrain from bid
ding against each other. except per.
functorily and without good faith. when
making purchases of live stock. and by
this means inducing and compelling the
owners to part with it at less prices
than they would receive II the bidding
were really competitive.
In further violation Of the act they
have engaged in. and intend TO CON
tinue. an unlawful combination and con.
spiracy among themselves for bidding
UP, through their agents. the prices o,
live stock for few days at a time
80 that the market reports will show
| prices much higher than the state Of
the trade will warrant, thereby inducing
| owners to simultaneously make larg,
shipments. and, by reason OF the result
! ing large offerings. the defendants OBJ
tain 1--we stock at prices much less thar
1t would bring in the regular way O.
trade.
1 to oIe oil %t,o,, &,
and intend to continue an unlawful com
bfnatton and conspiracy TO arbitrarily
| from time to time, raise, lower and fl,
prices. and to maintain uniform prices
at which they will sell directly, O.
through their agents, fresh meats tt
dealers and consumers. holding secret
periodical meetings and agreeing upo
the prices to be adopted and enforce,
! until at q subsequent meeting the sam
may be changed. restricting and curta1l
ing the quantities of goods shipped
| whenever necessary to the maintaining
Of the prices fixed by imposing agains
each other penalties establishing rul
for the giving of credits to dealers an
the conduct Of their business with penal
lies for violations. keeping black list
Of dehnquents and refusing to sell I
them.
The bill charges further that, in viola
ton OF the act of congress, the defeDt
ants have made and imposed arbitrar1i
uniform charges for carriage for deli,
cry. when no such charges have bee
customary in the trade, OF would b
made but for the combination and COY
sptracy. thereby increasing the charge
for meats to dealers and consumers
That they have made arrangement
and agreements with officers and agen,
OF common carriers to receive by mean
Of rebates and other devices, unlawf,
rates for transportation. and have tn,
monopoltzed and. unless restrained, wi
: continue to monopolize the commerce
{ live stock and fresh meats.
| An injunction Is therefore prayed, Ell
Joining the defendants and their agen
! and attorneys from continuing any ,
these unlawful proceedings. and from a
tempting to monopoplize the oommerc
| discovery Of the books. papers, etc
Is asked. as well as a subpoena for IL
! defendants to appear and answer und
: oath.