Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1907-08-27
CHARTER MAY BE DISSOLVED.
Butchers and Grocers' 0rganiza-
ton is Now to be Brought
Under Fire.
Tonights Meeting Promises TO be an
Important One in Salt Lasa's
Commercial History.


one In the commercial history OF Salt
Lake for it marks the beginning of
the first organized movement towards
rigid investigation into the trade COM
binations that fix the prices of living
throughout the city.
The formal purpose of q meeting to-
night in the Salt Lake Chamber of
Commerce is to investigate the advisa-
bility of allowing the Butchers and
Grocers' association TO become a mem
Der of the Board OF Trade. sharing the
present headquarters of the Manufac-
turers and Merchants association. and
afiliating with it in consolidation OF
Office forces.
INVESTIGATION DEMANDED.
The Real Estate association has called
the meeting. and demanded the investi-
cation on the charge that the butchers
and grocers are not really carrying
ont the purposes OF their organization.
as announced. but are carrying on a
combination in restraint of trade that
ignores the general welfare in looking
out for the welfare Of its members.
When the charges were first made
they fell like a bombshell upon the pub
lie. as a boost just made in butter and
coal prices had already stirred opinion
10 an aggressive state.
WITH KEENEsT INTEREST.
Attorney General Nj. a. Breeder said
today that he was watching the out
come of tonight's meeting with the
N-a 10. 1 Is
ing developed any practical evidence
which he could use to move to dissolve
the charter under which the Butchers
and Grocers' association operates, he
would take this move at once.
PROMPT ACTION
THE criminal features of the case"
ne said. rest with the county attorney
but l have the power to begin actions
to dissolve the articles of incorpora-
lions. and / shall begin such actions
the minute / secure evidence enough on
which TO proceed"
INVITATION FOR EVIDENCE.
Atty. Gen. Breeder then proceeded
to issue a general invitation TO all
butchers who have ever been refused
meat because OF cutting the price, and
to all butchers and grocers who have
ever been boycotted or threatened in
any way by the trade combination
forcing them to charge the present
price scale. to come 10 his office in
the ID. f. Walker building and talk
over their experiences with him. He is
sues a further appeal to all persons
who have definite knowledge and evil
g 10, .,#fuss 90 at.r= l1tr
ations In restraint of trade, to bring
this evidence to him so that it may be
used as a basis for legal proceedings.
FIFTY SUITS IN SIGHT.
when informed of this request to-
day Judge Il. Il. Colburn said that
while he did not wish TO be quoted as
a member Of the Real Estate associa-
ton and while he especially did
not want to say word about the
butchers and groccrs' matter before IL
had been considered in the meeting.
still he knew of about 80 suits the
attorney general could plant with
good evidence to back up each suit
against the parties manipulating prices
after stopping up all leaks through
competition or otherwise.
HAS SOME DOUBTS.
The Real Estate association has re-
jected u request from the Butchers
and Grocers association asking that
Gt be allowed representation at to-
nights meeting. IT is officially given
ont That the conference is between
tho three partners now comprising
the board OF trade with a view OF
seeing whether one OF these partners
has right to bring fourth into the
premises The only question TO be
considered, IL Is declared is whether
the advent Of this new partner will be
n detrlment or a help 10 the work
OF building up greater city and q
greater state, which is now being at
tempted by the organizations already
afnliating In the board.
PRICES NOT MENTIONED.
When asked as to his opinion on
general commercial conditions In the
city. judge Colburn said that II prices
warranted such acton. all booster add
Vcrtising on Utah conditions would
contain favorable comment about
prices ana the cost of living, but these
were omitted through force OF ne
cesslty "The people are not going
10 be starved out OF this city" he said.
''or locked out, through prohlbitlye
prices and II matters little who starts
tho fight. or who carries It on. The
present rumbling is just o beginning
to what can bo expected II things get
much worse. and interest IN tho mat
class on any one organization. Tho
Real Estate association has never once
appealed for public support In It's pres
enl move, and has absolutely no quar-
rel 10 make az present with the BUTCH
ers and grOcers, our only contention
N 10 talk over with other partners IN
tho board OF trade, tho proposed
bringing IN OF fourth. by one OF
these"
GRAND JURY MENTIONED.
Tho meeting tonight ia being much
discussed, mostly ON the grounds that
II offers one way in which light may
be thrown on trade conditions,
grand jury is another way that f.
mentioned today, aud Atty. -Gen, Breed
en- saws that he favors this move, as II
viii then create an official body, ein-
powered "a summon witness and COLI
lect evidence. thing no considers
20 be necessary before the state can
perfsct-a case In many instances.