Bryan morning eagle. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1898-1909, 1907-07-11
AFTER TOBACCONISTS.
Government Institutes Action at
New York City.

| New York, July 1O.-The govern
ment has filed in the United States
circuit court here a petition against
the American Tobacco company. I'm
perial Tobacco company. British
American Tobacco company. Ameri'
can Snuff company. American Cigar
company. United Cigar Stores com
pany American Stogie company,
MacAndrews a Forbes company, Cor.
ley-Foil company and fifty.six other
corporations and Twenty-Five individ.
uals connected with named companies.
These corporations and individuals
| constitute what In generally known as
the Tobacco Trust" and the petition
directed against them sets forth the
purpose Of the government 20 dissolve
this alleged trust by breaking up
agreements under which consolidated
concerns are working.
In showing the growth OF the
trust since its organization In 1890
the conclusion Is reached that at an
early date unless prevented. Il will
completely monopolize the entire 10.
bacco industry: that all defendants
are engaged In Interstate and foreign
trade and commerce In tobacco and
products manufactured therefrom. n
Is alleged by the petition II Is stated
that the &C, OF July .. 1890. Ito protect
trade and commerce" and subsequent
acts have been violated. and the gov.
eminent. therefore. seeks 10 prevent
and restrain unlawful existing agree
ments. combinations and consplracies
and attempts 10 monopollze and break
mp perfected monopolies The gov
eminent asks that existing combina
tons. consplracies and monopolIes be
enjoined and each defendant company
be restrained from holding or CONTROL.
ing stock IN any other
Il asks further that the Imperial To.
bacco company be enjoined from do.
ing business within the Jurisdiction Of
the United States until Il shall have
ceased TO observe the terms OF IT'S
agreement with American companies.
that certain defendants be declared
in restraint OF trade and
be enjoined from engaging In inter.
state and foreign trade or commerce.
and that a receiver be appointed 10 |
take charge OF their affairs and ad. |
them so as TO bring about |
In harmony with law. The |
petition shows total assets now exceed |
1915. 0O0. 600.
The allegation Is made that mem !
bers Of the combination divided M the
tobacco business OF the world. assign.
Ing some special territory for unmo.
tested exploitation. II Is declared the
corporations annually J
purchase AIS. 900 900 pounds OF domes-
tic leaf and the total produced in the
United States and manufacture. sell !,
and distribute more than 2sO000.OO0 /
pounds $50 per cent? OF smoking and
plug tobacco s5 per cent OF snuff. So
per cent OF cigarettes. 75 per cent
small cigar. rs per cent OF licorice
products. 50 per cent Of tin foil pro
ducts. and 10 10 10 per cent Of cigars
and stogies Of the total annual pro.
duction Of domestic tobacco. estimat.
I'd at 500. 900. 600 pounds. 75 per cent
purchased by the American Tobacco
and associates and allies at
prices which the government alleges
10 be unlawfully influenced by the
II Is said this II In de-
fiance OF the laws of the trade, where
open competition by several separate
and Independent concerns control
prices.