The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-06-16

partment of justice affecting this dis
trict
Some months ago Mr. STREET. called
the attention of the department of JUS
tice to this organization. since which time
the attorney general and his associates
have been giving the subject thorough
investigation, and have reached the con-
clusion that 1t is an unlawful trust COM
bination.
This investigation has been entirely
Independent of tho investigation now be-
ing made in Congress concerning the
high prices of living, and has resulted In
the accumulation of a vast amount of
evidence against the associat ton.
THE bill Is very important one, be-
cause. its subject matter relates to the
entire south, and the representatives OF
the government have no doubt about win
ming the suit
The Government Allegation
After naming the various members of
the alleged combination which is known
as the Southern Wholesale Grocers' assoc
citation, the petition of the government
recites:
THE United States of America, by
Oliver D. STREET.. its attorney for the
Northern district of Alabama, acting I'M
der directions of the Attorney General
brings this preceding In equity against
the Southern Wholesale Grocers associa-
ton and all the members of said asso-
citation.
your petitioner alleges that the de-
fendant, the Southern Wholesale Grocers'
association, and all the members OF said
association, and Its officers and Its
agents, together with the other defend
ants herein, and other firms, persons and
corporations, have at the time herein
after specified. and are now engaged In a
combination and conspiracy in restraint
Of trade and commerce among the sew
eral states of the United States and the
District of Columbia In violation of the
provisions of an act of Congress. July O.,
1890, entitled An act to protect trade and
commerce against unlawful restraint and
monopolies,' and the amendments thereto;
that this proceeding Is instituted by the
United States of America. to prevent
and restrain the further maintaining and
carrying out of said combination and
conspiracy.
"And thereupon your petitioner upon
information and belief, complains and
alleges as follows:
Further Complaints Cited
..That the association is composed of
firms persons and corporations engaged
In the wholesale grocery business in the
various states and the District of Co
lumbia of the southern states The COM
plaint saws 1t is believed the member
shin comprises about 800 but that the
netitioner does not know the exact num-
Der.
The complaint then goes into the details
as to the place of residence OF the vari-
o,,s members of the association. 1t says
that VanHoose, McLester and Lee and
the companies with which they are iden-
titled reside in the Northern district OF
the United States circuit courF for Ala
bama.
The remaining defendants are said In
the petition to live in various cities In
the south.
The commodities which are alleged to
he bought and sold and shipped or trans
norted in the various states are
Sugar. coffee, flour, salt, crackers,
cakes. soaps, washing powders, cereals,
soda. baking powder, milk products,
canned goods, strip and numerous other
grocery articles which constitute neces-
stiles of life.
Green Book Mentioned hN
Under the head: General allegations of
conspiracy" the government complaint al
leges
1.-THE Southern Wholesale Grocers' asso-
citation has and is now conspiring and
confederating together to coerce and pre-
vent manufacturers and producers en-
gagged In selling and shipping for trans
portation such commodities among several
states and in the District Of Columbia
from selling such actual necessities Of
life direct to the retail trade or con-