New-York tribune., 1905-01-31
The BEEF TRUST DECISION
Crushing Bloc to MonopoIy-Tn-
amph for President and DIR. Moody.
IRON THE TRIBUNE BUREAU.l

IRON TRIBUNE BUREAU
Washington. Jan. 30-The unanimous opinion
Of the United States Supreme Court, uphold
,Bg the validity Of Judge Grosscup's injunction
against the Beef Trust. is accepted here as a
remarkable yindication Of President Roosevelts
policies and a great personal triumph for At
tornsy General Moody. who prepared the brief
and made the argument in the case
Without dissenting voice the court to-day
sustained The governments contention by affirm
ing the sweeping injunction issued by Judge
Grosscup at Chicago last spring. This injunc-
ton which vitally affects the methods and
operations Of the packers. restrains Swift & Co.
and other constituent companies Of the trust
from Illegally combining TO restrict competition
IN the purchase Of livestock and the sale Of
dressed beef 1t was practically established in
Judge Grosscups court that by mutual agree
rent among themselves the packers each day
fixed the price OF live cattle, which stock rasers
were compelled to accept, and that the selling
price Of the dressed products was also mutually
established. The effect Of to-day's decision VIII
be iTr,uediate and far reaching, IL admin
listers crushing blow TO a monopoly conspiring
10 control a necessity Of life, and because Of its
saluiary influence on all combinations of cap
iia. ops7Gti-lg ar attempting - operate in re-
Etraint of trade.
Attorney General Moody has not decided
whether or not criminal prosecutions will now
be Instituted, but if District Attorney Bethea
has in his possession evidence sufficient TO estab-
lish the fact that The Beef Trust has violated
the injunction 1T viii be promptly presented 10
Judge Grosscup. who wiz not hesitate to i'm
prison the offenders for contempt of court Such
action it is maintained. would have a great moral
effect, as IL would demonstrate to the world that
men engaged ia Illegal and obnoxious industrial
practices are not immune from punishment, ir-
respective of their wealth or influence. Whether
the packers are prosecuted or not. the Depart
mont of Justic. by virtue Of the opinion handed
down to-day. has a powerful weapon in its hands
with which 10 compel absolute obedience to the
law or 10 punish those who violate IT with
Imprisonment, obviously more efficacious rem
coy for vrongdoing than The imposition Of a
me, whatever might be its magnitude. Even
should no criminal prosecution be instituted on
the evidence now in hand. the packers viii here
after operate under the constant menace of sum
mary Imprisonment there being no appeal from
such punishment when imposed for contempt Of
court and, while the possibility Of a fine might be
regarded as merely q slight curtarment Of prof
its' me proscect Of actual and immediate i'm
prSoament VIII doubtless prove a restraining
Hnuence ON t1o future operations Of the captains
o. The packing industry.
Attorney General Moody. in the course Of his
powerful oral argument against the methods Of
"e Beef Trust. contended that the injunction
FRAMED By Judge Grosscup and now affirmed by
ne United States Supreme Court enjoned the
lehoants against certain specific conspiracie
sH pleaded on the petition, well stated in the
-l!uneuon, capable Of being understood by one
VINO desires 10 understand them
me Atror1cE- General now l,aFia,-as
no longer any possibility Of a misunderstand-
Oh the part Of the trust, for the injunction
Sooonpshes the following objects:
mse-lt prohibits the continuance Of a COM
obsessa 70 suppress competition in the pur
1850; se q cattle for slaughter. This branch of the
tcra. tT.s'lon wall rebound TO the benefit of the cat
=, 'seono-The injunction forbids combinations
rb;'e'htsin uniform prices in selling meats.
sEec. IIlon OF the injunction will more directly
"a alfo-lt forbids combination between parties
eorsn-.ih oiseriminatory rates from the railroad
q bssnsee. This branch of the litigation will be
"t 10 the cettlenlen and consumers alike.
ViNio& BY JUSTICE HOLMES.
ne opinion was delivered b. Justice Holmes,
discussed al length ;be various contentious
,.,' ne packers. and disposed OF them individ-
,s lie admitted that some Of the charges
a., 'sss specific than was desirable, but said
"'s necessarily true Oh account Of the vast
- u The field covered. He added that
e'en' has beea shown 10 prove a continuous
- ana an offence Of such nature as TO
- me proceeding Summarizing the gov
''ehts bin, Justice Holmes said:
.CH'fges a combination Of a dominant pro-
ia - OF the dealers in fresh meat throughout
United States not 10 bid against each other
4 49, livestock markets Of the different States;
d. up prices for few days order TO in
A., me catuernen 10 send their stock 10 the
hkyards; 10 FIX prices at which they VIII sell
70 lAat end 70 restrict shipments Of meat
~, - necessary, 10 establish uniform rule of
~ 10 dealers. ana 10 keep II black list: 10
ne uniform ana improper charges for cartage.
CeaIiuued on third page.