The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1909-07-17
FACING VERY TOUGH PROSPECT
Lumber Dealers Couldn't Pay Two Million
Dollar Judgment if Rendered.

JACKSON, Miss, July 17-An in
teresting question that arises in con-
nection with the penalty suit filed by
the attorney general of Mississippi
against the Mississippi-Louisan Re-
tai Lumber Dealers Association alleg-
ing violations of the antitrust laws
and seeking to collect more than $14,-
100000, is the solvency of the organ
ization for That immense sum-
The association had on its member
ship roll prior to the filing of suit
against it by Attorney General Fetch
er, not exceeding 200 members. While
majority of these members are pros
porous retail lumber dealers, it is very
doubtful if there is one of the members
who have assets exceeding liabilities
above 100000, and majority of the
number could not make that preten-
tious claim.
The question therefore follows,
how will Attorney General Stirling
collect a judgement for $14,000,OOO in
event it is rendered in his favor which
seems to be foregone conclusion, in
sofar as the state courts are concern
ed, for the former decision Of the SUI
preme court fatty and unequivocally
declared that the association had been
guilty Of violating the antitrust laws
by maintaining a so-called trade eth
les clause in its constitution.
Naturally. after filing suit for such
a snug sum. Mr.. Stirling win not want
to whistle for his money, nor is 1t a
pleasing prospect for the retail lumber
men OF the two commonwealth to be
in debt to the Mississippi treasury for
the remainder of their natural lives.
Incidentally, the organization Is vir-
tually in state of disarmament. No
have been held since At
torney General Fletcher filed the
original proceedings that resulted in a
solar plexus blow from, the courts, al |
though it has been the custom prior to
that time to hold semi-annual sessions
In March and September. a- 5.aaA
Hon. T. M. Brown, of Yazoo City, is |
The general attorney for the associa-
ion. and in the fight against the que |
warranto proceeding filed during the |
Fletcher administration Messrs Mayes !
e Longstreet, of the Jackson bar, |
we're associated with his in the de-
tense. The present officers President
B. A. Tucker, of Senatoba and SEQ I
'etary W. q. Harlow, Of Yazoo City, |
have been at the head of the organiza-
don for nearly twelve years. Secre-
AIRY Harlow being the first person J
chosen to that position. and he has
been generally retarded in trade cir
lies as the brains of the organization,
all of the executive work
passing through his hands.
1t would be a painful pinch for the |
members of the association in the two
states to hustle up enough funds to
meet million dollar judgement and |
he personal opinions they hold of a
,laim for fourteen times that sum can
better be imagined than described.
1t is the evident purpose of Attorney |
General Stirling to get the judgement |
'irst and worry about the collection
for he has proceeded about |
he institution of the suit in business
ike manner and feels confident of |
yfctory when the case is called for |
hearing in chancery on the first Mon
lay in November at Lexington.
According to an estimate made this |
morning by an able attorney who has
had a large experience before the
United States court, it will probably
'equire three years to get this latest