The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1910-06-22
Department Of Justice Asks GFocers.
Association to be Diss::ved.
SERIOUS ALLEGATION
Alleges That 1t Constitutes q Combi-
nation and Conspiracy in Restraint
of Trade. Officers and Members Of
association Made Parties to Suit.
Evidence to Substantia:e Charges.

Another action under the Sherman
ant!-trus. law was started by the de-
partment OF justice Thursday at
Washington. when Oliver D. Street,
| United States attorney for the north
e-n district of Alabama. was instruct
ed to Ale a, Birmingham petition
against the Southern Wholesale
Grocers. association. its officers and
members. alleging. that the associa-
tin constitutes combination aad
conspiracy in restraint Of trade and
asking th:t it be dissolved.
The suit. /, was said. at the de-
partment Thursday. is one Of the re-
suits OF the Investigations which thu
government for some time psst has
been making with reference to coa,-
binatiors that seek TO eliminate COM
petition, maintain higS scale OF
profit and increase the cos: OF liV-
Ing. IN the opinion Of the oaaciaa
the investigation clearly indicated
that an unlawful conspiracy exists.
Mr.. Street was in confarenc. for
several days with the department and
left Wednesday night for Bir,ning-
ham. The issue will be pushed 20
speedy trial. the officials bei:s 1ng
that they have ample evidence 20
substantiate the charges made.
The following statement reyara-
Ing the matter was made at :.ae te-
partment o. justice:
The petition alleges that the COM
bination was organized for the pull
pose Of and has resulted in coercing
and preventing manufacturers from
selling the actual necessaries OF life
direct 70 the retail dealer or coz
sumer or TO any wholesale grocer
in the Southern States unless said
grocer is listed IN so-called green
book published and distributed by
the association. That manufacturers
ara persuaded urged and coerced by
the association to dx limited selling
prices at which staple article Of food
are TO be sold and TO refuse to sell
such commodities to any wholesale
grocer who does not maintain Tie
prices so fixed and listed.
That in certain lines maunafactur-
ers and producers have been induced
to bill, their goods at an enhanced
price and 10 turn OVER PERCENTAGE
to the president OF the association
who rebated the same to the jobbers
maintaining such limited selling
price. That no frn could become a
mem Der Of the association or be list
ed IN the green book unless ma
iority OF the other concerns in the
LOCALITY gave .heir approval: and
that unless such firm Sas duly list
ed. Il was unable 10 secure direct
buying privileges from those manu-
tac,urers who observed certain rules
OF practice adopted by the assoc!a-
ton.
There are many other allegations
Sc, forth in the bill as TO the Sen-
eraI scheme and plan by which this
com b:nation sought to prevent the
members thereof and TO restrict trade
and commerce.
The department for some time has
received complaints as to the bur
denS suffered by the people OF the
Southern states because OF the oper-
atoms OF this association. After
careful investigation the department
believes that the association oper-
ates to increase the cost Of the nee
essities OF life. such as coffee. sugar.
cereals, soap AID many other lines.
The association as set out IN the
governments petition or bill con-
sis,s Of various firms and corpora
tons engaged in the wholesale groc-
cry business within :he states and
territories OF Alabama. Arkansas,
Florida. Georgia. Indian Territory.
Louisiana. Maryland. Mississippi.
North Carolina. Oklahoma. South
Carolina. TENN ssee. Texas. Virginia
and the District Of Colum bia.