The Washington times., 1904-07-26
COURT DISHISSES
LIGHT BEER CASE
SustainS Demurrer of the
Defendants.
PETITIONERS WITHOUT RIGHT
Arguments Presented by Defendants
Counsel-Justice Wright Decides
The Matter Promptly.

Justice Wright today dismissed the
petition Of James c. Leonard and Sam
uel c. Stewart, retail liquor dealers,
who sought to enjoin the members Of
the Brewers Association from attempt
ing to coerce Christian Heurich from
raising the price Of the light" beer
product OF the Heurich Brewing Com
pany from 81 to So a barrel.
The matter came up on demurTers
filed TO the complaint by the proprietors
Of two Of the members of the Brewers
Association. After hearing argument on
both sides the court sustained the de-
murrers and dismissed the bin Of com
plant. on the ground that the petition
ers have no right, as distinguished from
privilege, TO compel any brewer 10 sell
them beer at any certain price.
Crowd in Court.
When the hearing in what is known
as the light beer case was begun
this morning before Justice Wright, in
Criminal Court No. l. the room was
crowded, a large majority of those pres
ent being lawyers. who came TO hear
the argument OF counsel representing
the different interests involved.
Briefly, the litigation is the result of Z
DtLlllOu 4iltA -tNNAeAA AAfhs . eNr-N -
c. Leonard and Samuel G.. Stewart, re
tail liquor dealers, to restrain the mem
hers of the Brewers Association. To-
1 cal organization, from coercing Christian
Heinrich. the head Of the Heurich Brew
ing COMPANY, from increasing the pric.
of his light" beer from 81 TO So a bar
rel and also 20 enjoin him from entering
into an agreement with the other brew
/ ers to raise the price Of his light beer
Timothy Healey and Louis crown lapol
/ leaders. are also named as parties to tn
ne Dar.'es to the litigation and coun
/ sci repress nting them are; Ihe Ma
{ tiOnaI Capital Brewing Company an
/ Albert Carry. by Alexander II. Ben IN
] Washington Brewing Company ant
! Harry Williams, by Birney a Woodaru
! the Abner-DruTy Brewing Company an
: E T. Abner, by Charles ". Darr; IN
! Arlington Brewing Company and WI
! fano Mcclure. BY Lorenzo A. Bailey
( the Christian HeuTIch Brewing Compan
/ and Christian Heurich, by Leon To
/ briner: and Timothy Healey and LouH
/ S. Crown, by Michael j. colbert
Files a Demurrer.
When the matter came on for hearin
| Mr. Woodland. representing the Wash
1 fnrton Brewing Company, stated that
wished to make a general demurrer Z
/ the complaint made by the complain
ants. He said from his view Of the mat
tor the complainants have no s'aniln
. I'm court and are not entitled to tine 70
lief asked for. because they nave 2
I rights in the matters lnVoiNed IN III
Mr. Woodland then asked William !
/ Johnson, counsel for the complainant
/ whether he was asking that the inju1,
ton sought should be granted under III
antitrust law or whether he was ar
l Dealing 20 the jurisdiction OF an eqult
court. Mr. Johnson replied that III
complaint is plain and spoke for Use
on that proposition. Mr. Woodland quote
many authorities IN support Of the =,
sition he took in the matter.
Arlington Joins Hands.
At the conclusion Of his opening argJ
Iment Mr.. Bailey representing the Arln-
ton Brewing Company, stated 10 II
= court that on behalf Of his client. i
TOO wished 10 enter a demurrer to III
complaint, on the ground that the con
p!aInants have no interest in the ma
ter Of an agreement between any OF T.
bre wing companies, and Tor the furth'
I ] reason that none Of their rights hd'
been infringed.
VI. johnson. representing the con
d iinants. argued In favor OF the lega
s. Of the complaint and the rights
= Q comDlainants under the law
: I'm TO this stage Of the proceeding
the defendants had not filed answer
. the petition of the compIainants- II
4 understood. however, when the demu
rers interpOsed by Messrs- WOOda
and Bailey are disposed or by the cou
70 they will file separate answers proNld'
the demurrers were not sustained.
At the conclusion Of Mr. Johnson
argument Justice Wright said he d
! not care to hear further comment al
gave his decision as stated.