Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-06-16
OPERATION BRINGS ON
HIGH COST Of LIVING
United States District Attorney of
Alabama is Instructed 20 File Pc
tition at birmingham Asking Court
to Restrain the combinat 'on-Aeeu-
sations Are Issued from Washington


OBy Associated Prcssl
WASHINGTON. ID. C., June 10
Another action under the Sherman
.nti-trust law was started by the de-
partment of justice today when Ohvcr
d. Street. United states attorney Tor
the Ncithcrn strict of Alabam1, was
Instructed to file at Birmingham, a
petition against the southern Whole
sale Groccrs ASsociaticn-its officers
ard members, allegeding that the as
srcJ tion constituted comb nation
and conspiracy in restraint of trade
and asking that it be dissolved.
The suit. it was said at the depart
meut today. is one OF the -esuits OF
the nvcs LEGATIONS which The govern
ment HIS some time past been making
with reference to combinations that
seek to eliminate competition. and
maintain a higher scale of profit and
increasc the cost of the wing. In
the opinion of The officials the invcs-
tigauon clearly indicated that an I'M
lawful conspiracy existed.
Mr. Street WIS in conference for
several days with the department ana
lett last ght for Birmingham.
The issue will be pushed TO a
speedy trial. the ofarigis believing
that they have ample evidence TO sub
stantiate the charges made.
The following statement regarding
the matter was made Ct the depart
mont of justice:
Statement issued.
The petition alleges taat the com
b'nation was organized for the pur-
! pose Cf and has resulted in cocrcinS
and preventing manufacturers from
selling the actual necessarics of lie
d'.ect TO the retail dealer or ccns'im-
er or T. any wholesale grocer in the
! So1;hcrn states unless said grocer Is
listed in the so-caIled green book,
publ shed and distributed by the $50
citation: that manufacturers are per
suadcd. urged and COefced by the as
assoc tion to fix limited selling prices
at which staple articles of food are
to be sold and to refuse 10 sell such
/ commodities TO any wholesale Grocer
who does not main.a the prices so
fixed and listed; that in certain lines
manufacturers and producers have
been induced to bill their goods nj
/ an enhanced Price and to turn over
a perez ntagc t. the president Of the
| ass0ciz tion. who rcbated the same To
the jobbcrs maints ming such limited
. a..TI h-s e. e.r4fff
come a member Of the association OF
be listed in the green book Inless
a majority OF the ether firms in the
locality gave their approval: end that
unless such finn drly listed. II was
unable to secure q rect buying PRIV y
elgcs from those manufacturers who
observed certain 'ru,cs Of practice
adopted by the association
Other Allegations.
There a-a many othc- siicgations
SCI forth in the bill ,s to the general
scheme and plan by which this ccmb'-
| usrion sought g. prevent the free
noN Of comPctif on among the mem
berS thereof and to restrict trade and
commerce.
The dep rfmcni. for some time. has
received complaints a. to thc burden
, suffered bv the people o. the South
,. crn states be use Of the operation
81 this association. After = careful
INVESTIGATION the department believes
] that thc assoc alton operates 10 IN
i crease the cost o. he nrcc-siticg 81
I lie. srrh a. coffee. sfrrr cereals
cap and many cth,r lines
Covers Msrv States.
The se-ocizfion. ~ - cut in thc
/ governments petition ~ bill. CONSIST
Of ysfious firms and corporations "a
~arrf the uhoics O. grocery busi
rcss within the safes and territories
| Of Alabama. Ariansas. Fioli ia. Geor
ria. Indian Tariicry. LOUISIANA. MY
land Mississippi North carol m. OK
ishusna. aufh Carolina. Tcurcsaoc
/ Texas. Virginia Hd the District o..
| Criumbi1
l Specifically. thc action Nas brougnl
I AKA o. fl. graerai assc-iafiun and
/ an u.s. mcmtrrs. toe Ncicstcr-N. 81
\ Toorr Company. of kilb na. I1-ue'
i A Van Hoe. ~ Aiabsma. Robert
I MrLcsfcf. - Alabama. enc Aisb1ma
/ Grocer, Company. Of Ai1oama. "
Lee. q Alabama. Jcseph r. Mciau'