The St. Louis Republic., 1902-05-11
Second Step In Investigation of
Alleged Combination Taken by
Attorney General Knox.
WILL ASK FOR AN INJUNCTION.
Application Based on Allegations
In Bill Probably Will Be Filed
Within the Next Ten
Days.

Chicago. May 10.-The second step in the
investigation of the so-called Beef Trust
was taken to-day by the filing with the
Clerk of the United States Circuit Court of
the bill for an Injunction prepared by At
torney General Knox, United States Dis
trict Attorney Bethea and Special Counsel
William A. Day.
The document was handed to the clerk by
Mr.. Bethea, ard the clerk stamped It and
entered it in the records. The applicable
for an Injunction based on the allegations
in the bill will be made in the United
States Circuit Court, probably within ten
days.
Synopsis of Bill of Com pIaint.
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. Schwarzschild &
suizberger. 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 buying
live stock at stock yards throughout the
United States and slaughtering such live
stock at plants maintained for that pur-
pose: 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 serv-
ing as common carriers
The defendants. it is alleged, control
about 60 per cent of the total volume of
the trade, having during 1901 purchased,
slaughted. sold and shipped four million
cattle, five million sheep and six million
hogs.
Unlawful Combine and Conspiracy.
In violation of the provisions OF "an act
to protect trade and commerce against up-
lawful restraints and monopolies," and in
order to restrain competition among them
selves, they have directed and required
their agents at the various stock yards to
refrain from bidding against each other ex-
cept perfunctorily and without good faith,
when making purchases of live stock, and
by this means inducing and compelling the
owners to part with 1t 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 continue, an un-
lawful combine and conspiracy among
themselves for bidding up through their
agents. the prices of live stock for Few
days at q time. SO that the market reports
will show prices much higher than the
state of the trade will warrant, thereby
inducing owners simultaneously 20 make
large shipments. and, by reason of the re-
sultinG large offerings, the defendants OBJ
tain live stock at prices much less than it
would bring In the regular way Of trade.
Secret Periodical Meetings.
1t Is also alleged that they have engaged
in and intend to continue unlawful COM
bination and conspiracy to arbitrarily, from
time to time, raise. lower and fix prices and
to maintain uniform prices at which they
will sell directly or through their agents,
fresh meats to dealers and consumers, hold
ing secret, periodical meetings and agree
ing upon the prices to be adopted and en-
forced until at a subsequent meeting the
same may be changed. restricting and cur
failing the quantities of goods shipped
whenever necessary to the maintaining of
prices fixed by imposing against each other
penalties establishing a rule for the giving
of credit to dealers and the conduct of their
business with penalties for violations. keep
ing a blacklist Of delinquents and re-
fusing to sell to them.