The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-01-05
AFTER STEAMER TRUST.
The Government Files p Suit Under
the Sherman Law.

the Sherman Law.
New York, Jan. 5.-The federal gov
eminent has brought suit in the United
States circuit court under the Sherman
antitrust law against 10 of the prin
cipal Transatlantic carriers, which are
estimated to control 80 per cent of the
steerage traffic, worth to them 55,000,-
900 a year. Twelve officers of the de-
PENDANT companies, all residents Of
America, are named as co-defendants.
These companies, the government
charges, entered into an illegal con-
tract February s. 1908, at London, Eng
land, by which they constituted them
selves the Atlantic conference, with
power to apportion all traffic pro rata,
impose heavy fines on members of the
conference for violation of any of the
articles of agreement, and wage COM
petition against all lines outside the
conference.
AS a result, it is alleged. the Russian
volunteer fleet. plying between New
York and Libau. was driven out Of
business and the Russian-American
line forced to make terms with the
conference and enter its membership.
Suit was brought by Henry A. Wise,
United States district attorney, acting
under instructions from Attorney Cen
eral Wickersham. In its petition the
government prays the court to "enjoin
the defendants from further agreeing,
combining and conspiring to injure or
destroy the business of any person or
corporation engaged in the business Of
carrying Steerage passengers between
points in the United States and Europe
Further that each, every and air of
the defendant steamship lines be for
hidden either to enter or clear any %
their vessels at or from the port of
New York or any other port of entry
Tfnlfn6 States or Of
sessions. so long they shall continue
to operate under the aforesaid alleged
unlawful combination or conspiracy
The defendant companies are:
Members of Combine.
Allan Steamship company, capitalized
at $3,220,000; plies between Liverpool
Boston and Philadelphia and Glasgow
and Montreal.
international Mercantile Marine CON-
pany, a holding company, capitalized
at $120 900, 900.
international Navigation company, a
subsidiary of the International Mercan-
tile Marine company.
Anchor line, capitalized at $2,S75,-
600. which plies between New York
and Glasgow
Canadian Pacific Railway company,
capitalized at $1,000 100000, which op-
crates between Montreal and Liver
pool
Cunard Steamship company, with a
capital of $10.0O0,00O, which has a
service between Liverpool and New
York and Boston.
British & North Atlantic Steam
Navigation company. a subsidiary of
the International Mercantile Marine
company.
Hamburg-American line, with a
capital of $31, 100000, whose service is
from Hamburg to New York, Boston,
Philadelphia and Baltimore.
HOlldnd-American line. ca initial I'M
available, which. runs steamers be-
tween Rotterdam and New York.
The North German-Lloyd company,
capital unavailable. which runs be-
tween Bremen and New York
The Red Star line Ca subsidiary of
the International Mercantile Marine
company, which operates between
Antwerp and New York.
White Star line Ca subsidiary of the
International Mercantile Marine COM
pany), with a service between New
York and Liverpool
Russian East Asiatic Steamship
company, capital unavailable, which
plies between Libau and New York
The Individual defendants, all Off
GERS of the defendant companies, but
not all of them possible of Identified
tion are:
Franklin. Philip A. S. vice president
of the International Mercantile Ma
rine company; Boas. Emil l., general
the Ham burg-American line and many
other transportation companies;
Schwab, Gustave H, general manager
in America and director of the
North German-L1oyd Dock company
Schwab, Gustave H. ir.; Sumner.
Charles P, American agent of Cunard
Steamship company; Johnson, Alex
ander E., senior member of A. E.
johnson g. Co, passenger agents for
the northumberland line: AL
Ian, Bryce J., of Boston, Mass, a di-
rector of the Allan line; Won Post, H.
c., vice president and a director of
the North German-LAyod Dock com
pany; Coverly, William. president of
the Anchor line and partner in firm
| of Henderson Brothers; its general
agents, Lee, John, Clips, Adrian and
Straus Max
The complaint charges that the de-
| PENDANTS "for some time past have
been engaged in the United States and
particularly in the southern district of
New York, in an unlawful combination
| to restrain a part of the commerce of
the United States with foreign ma
tiOnS''