The Delta independent. [volume] (Delta, Colo.) 1886-19??, 1911-11-17
WILL BRING SUIT TO BREAK
UP COLORADO COMBINES
Attorney General Ben Griffith to
Try to Bring Suit Started in
1907 to a Head.

Back in 1907, w. H. Dickson,
Republican attorney general brought
suits against the Denver Jobbers'
association and the state and local
coal trusts and about twenty cor
porations. He complained that they
had formed a corporation in res
traint of trade and, for the purpose
of raising the prices of food stuff.
coal and other commodities.
The case was tried by Judge AL
len and he issued a permanent in
junction ordering all combinations
to dissolve. The result was an i'm
mediate drop in the price of food
and the price of coal
This case was appealed to the su-
preme court on a technichality by
the corporations and business firms
made defendants by Mr.. Dickson
and it has been allowed to lay there
since that date. The case is coming
up this month and Attorney Gener-
al Benajmin Griffith is, preparing to
argue in favor of Judge Aliens de-
cision before the supreme court. For
mer Attorney General Dickson, who
started the proceedings, will appear
| in the case with Mr.. Griffith. The
case has been set for hearing Wed
nesday.
The decision will be awaited with
interest, as it will doubtless be of
considerable Importance to the peo-
pie of the state. Judge Aliens de-
cision was a sweeping one and there
| is little question as to its having a
wholesome effect at the time it was
rendered. 1t was contended at the
time, however, that it was not good
law and was appealed to the su-
preme court.
Referring to the attempt being
made to dissolve combines in Colo
rado, it can be said that the move
ment will appeal strongly to the
people While one hates to knock
his own state, his own state should
not be in position to receive the
hammer. That Colorado has been
at the mercy of organized comlbina-
tions in restraint of trade for years
has been palpably plain to every
! observing citizen. Jobbing organic
cations have controlled the retail
! trade and retail prices and the mer-
chant who refused to sell according
to their schedule could not buy
goods from the wholesale houses.
Why? Because they simply refuse
to sell to him. Railroads have own
ed the coal mines in many cases
ana lave refused absolutely and
without reason to supply cars to
anyone but their appointed agents.
Through a certain section of this
state where this editor is well ac-
quainted, situated midway between
the mines and Denver, Baldwin coal
is delivered to agents of the rail-
road owned mines and sold to con-
sumers at 81 to IS a ton and men
asking for a car to ship a carload
of coal for their own use, have been
refused outright The company
hauls the same coal on to Denver,
an additional distance of $50 miles,
where it is retailed at $3.50 to 81
per ton to consumers. That is as
fragrant a case of robbery and as
plain a case of trade restraint as
could possibly be made out.
That the matter should have been
held in allegiance for three or four
years, or since 1907. when Judge
Allen sustained the complaints made
by Attorney General Dickson, is
not a flattering tribute to Colorado.
Here's hoping that Attorney Gen
eral Ben Griffith will finish the
Knockout to such state corporations.
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City Water Supply Cut Off