Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-09-16
INQUIRY Is preliminary
Prosecution Depends on Evidence of
Violation of Law.
RETAIL PRICE MAY GO UP
Dealers Meet Tonight to Consider
Advance Decided On by
Producers.

is trying to find out il there is d milk
trust in Washington, the Milk Dealers
Association will attempt to raise the
price to 10 cents a quart for milk for
next winter in the District of Columbia
1t is said, at meeting tonight at the
National Hotel.
A resolution passed yesterday by the
Milk Producers Association of the Dis
trict of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia
raised the wholesale price to be asked
for milk to "a cents a gallon. As this is
= cents higher than the price asked last
winter. many dealers say they will have
10 ask more from the consumer, if they
are to carry on profitable business
Inquiry Only Preliminary.
The inquiry into the alleged existence
of an unlawful combination or trust to
increase the price of milk in the District
has not taken definite shape. United
States Attorney Wilson stated today that
information had been received in a letter
to his Office that a trust existed among
the milk men. and that he had set on
foot such inquiries as are customary when
such notifications are received infor
nation Of an alleged violation of law is
presented to his office.
his investigation. and also refused to
express an opinion as to what length,
in the absence of a written agreement,
the dealers might go in verbal un-
derstanding about charging the same
prices for milk and cream without
rendering themselves amenable to the
law.
Mr.. Wilson was not present at the
meeting Of the milk producers yester-
day. Mr.. Charles. Connor. an attorney
Of the Department Of Justice, assigned
to Mr.. Wilson's Office in the investiga-
ton Of all alleged ofenses against the
Sherman law, had been invited to be
present at the deliberations yesterday,
and accepted the invitation.
Wilson to Decide What to Do.
He will probably submit report as is
the custom In such matters. to the
United States attorney. It win be UP to
Mr.. Wilson to decide. first whether the
law has been violated. and, secondly.
what machinery Of the law to put into
operation to bring about an effective stop
to the alleged violation OF the ANTITRUST
act.
He may decide to enter suit on the
equity side OF the court for an injunc-
ton to prevent the execution Of the
agreement as to prices, or he may have
recourse to criminal prosecution.
In the latter event the testimony OBJ
tanned by his investigator would be sub
mitted to the grand jury and indictments
sought against the leaders of the alleged
combine.
This decision, 1t is understood, lies en-
tirely with the United States attorney in
the district In which the alleged violation
occurs, and Mr.. Wilson is not yet in re-
ceipt, 1t is stated, of sufficient evidence
on which to base a decision.
Only Expression of Opinion.
The opinion that the Milk Dealers AS
sociation this evening will demand an
increase OF cent in the price per quart
is not unanimous, however. One dealer
said this afternoon:
NO one can tell just what the dealers
will do when they meet this evening.
don't believe they will be unanimous, or
that concerted action will be taken.
Il expect to sell for cents a quart
this winter. Just l did last year At
that time We agreed on 3 cents a quart
as a fair and reasonable price. but
good many dealers sold for cents
The milk dealers, like the milk produc-
ers, it IS said, will avoid any definite fix
ing of the price OF milk which might ex-
pose them to prosecution for a violation
OF the antitrust laws. The resolutions
to be passed are said to be mere express
sions Of opinion, as to what the produc-
ers or dealers think Is a fair price and
there Is no penalty attached to the pro-
ducer or dealer who takes a less figure.