The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1910-03-02
HANDLE TRUST LIKE BAD BOY
FARMERS ARE NOTIFIED TO
BRING THEIR COMPLAINTS.
Instead of Expelling Harvester Com
pany From Kansas Court VIII
Keen Tab On 1t.

TOPEKA, Kan.-The relations of
the International Harvester Co., one
of the largest corporations in the
world, and the state of Kansas are
in many respects the same as that
of the small boy and the Juvenile
courts, Gerry Society, or other legal
or private organizations for the care
of delinquent or incorrigible children.
The International Harvester Co. has
been found incorrigible by the KAN
sas supreme court, and that court
has taken the job of supervising
guardian for the big harvesting ma
chinery company.
For years the harvester company
has been selling machinery in all the
cereal-growing states. For many
years it set aside certain territory
for certain agents, and did not allow
one agent to get over into another's
territory. The agents were also
bound by exclusive contracts prohib-
iting them from handling goods not
made by the International.
Some of these things were alleged
to be in direct violation of the Kan
sas antitrust law, and suit to GUST
the company from doing business in
Kansas was brought. If the COM
pany had been driven from the state
it would have meant great hard
ship to hundreds of Kansans, as this
state uses larger number of har-
vesting machines than any other. If
the company had been ousted 1t
would have been necessary for the
farmers to have had their machines
and repairs shipped from points out
side Kansas.
Correctional Plan Adopted.
The supreme court and the attor-
ney-general began working out an
idea. at would be foolish to drive
this company from Kansas" they
said. 1--WE have the evidence to show
that they ought to be bounced, and
that evidence also shows that the
company needs regulating. We will
let them stay, continue in business,
make a reasonable profit and the
farmers will be happy. But we will
retain control, and if at any time
the company oversteps the bounds Of
reasonable business procedure some
form of punishment will be meted
out"
Wherefore the International Har-
vester Co, with a capital of $500,
100000, is a ward of the Kansas
supreme court.
The court has served notice to this
effect. If any farmer has a COM
plant that the company is not treat
ing him properly; that it is hinder
ing him in getting repairs for his In
ternatiOnal mower because he uses
a rake made by an Independent man
ufacturer, or will not help him get
his wheat binder to work because he
is using prisOn-made binding twine
all that farmer needs to do is to re-
port that fact to the supreme court.
He must present evidence to sub
stantiate his claim, and if the court
finds the evidence sufficient the COM
pany will be told not to do such a
thing again under penalty Of a heavy
fine for every day that it continues.
The law permits fine Of a thousand
dollars a day for every day the COM
pany violates the law or the orders
of the court
If an implement dealer reports to
the court that the company does not
ship promptly his orders for machin-
cry because he is selling independ-
ent made goods, and that the COM
pany is discriminating against him,
the court will take up the complaint,
and if it finds that the dealers story
is true the company will have to
stop it and reimburse the dealer for
damages.
Courts Supervision Complete.
Any complaint that any Kansan
has concerning the business of this
big corporation is subject to investi-
cation and supervision Of the court
and the company is bound TO accept
the orders of the court OF course
the company will be permitted to
fAo@AR9n 1s..3o9a