The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-07-11
Attorney-GencrnFs Suit.


z Mr. NIcReynolds appeared before the
clerk OF the court alone to Sfilesst the
complaint, but the petition Is signed
by Attorney 6 General Charles G. Bona
sparte. Milton D. Purdys and Edwin +. IF
$Grosyenor and James c., iIrR Reyn ol Ids
assistants to the Attorneys Genera 81
There was no hearing before 4 hs :
court, to-day's action being confined
to fling the complaint
Mr.. McReynolds said that the next
step in the case would be the serving
Of the notice of the complaint upon
!, the defendants and the fling of theil
reply or demurrer to the complaint
After that the witnessed would bl
called before the court aud the taking
of evidence would begin. At the cone
clusion OF this the Assistant Attorneys
General would ask the court to takSs
whatever action in the case he mas
consider desirable. sss
How to Name Receivers.
III reply to a question whether he ms
tended to urge the court to appoint
receivers for the various corporations
Mr.. McReynolds said he could only dee
eide that after hearing the evidence
given blythe witnesses.
What precedent have you for askNq
Ing for the appointing OF receiyers?nE
he was asked. ss53' ~ '4S4e gFFfs \,
THE Sherman law, under which thiR
action is brought" replied Mr.. Me-
Reynolds, provides that the court may
restrain and prevent the Operati tionsj OF
a combination. If the court finds that
the appointment of receivers Is neces-#
sary to prevent operation of this COM
bination It may appoint them. We
ask the court to enjoin these COM
panies. II 1t did SO It might prevent
men from buying tobacco. but II re-
ceivers are appointed the business
would be continued, the public would
not be embarrassed by inability to pur-g
chase tobacco and the receiver might
sell off the various factories to inde-8
pendent concerns. thus effectively dis
solving the continuation
Mr.. McReynolds said he had no idea
how soon the taking of evidence would
begin.
Many Under Indictment.
The petition filed by%the government
to-day is directed against the Amer
lean Tobacco Company, the Imperial
Tobacco Company. the British-Ameri-4
can Tobacco Company. the American i
Snuff Company. the American Cigar
Company, the United Cigar Stores
Company, the American Stogie Con.-
pany, the MacAndrews and Forbes
Company, the Conley Foil Company
and fifty-six other corporations ana
the named companies, &
These corporations and indlvidualI
constitute what is generally known as
the Tobacco Trust" and the petition
directed against them sets forth the
purpose OF the government to dis
solve this trust by breaking up tha
agreements under which the conaon-
dated concerns are working. In show
Ing the growth OF the trust" since
its organization In 1890. the conclu-
sion Is reached thatsa. an early day.
unless prevented,3 ,3 1t would completely
monopollze the entire to bacco Industry.
May Enjoin. the Imperial.
That all OF the defendants are en-
gagged in interstate and foreign trade
and commerce IN leaf tobacco and pro-
ducts manufactured therefrom Is all
legged by the petition. 1t Is stated
that the act OF July 2,51s90. ito protect
| trade and commerce." and subsequent
acts. have been violated. and the gov
| ernment therefore seeks to prevens
and restrain the unlawful existing
agreemeuts. combinations and consp.es s
4 cies, and attempts to monopolize, and
break up Serfected monopolles. Tha
| government asks that this existing
combinations, consp!racies and nonopo-a
Hes he enJoIned. and that each OF the
defendant companies be restrained from
Iholdlng or, controlling stock In any
other
/ Tobacco Company ba enjoinad from
doing business within the jurisdiction
! OF the United States untiltt shall eeass
4 to observe tho terms or Its agrssInens