The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-10-31
1T WOULD MEAN RUIN.
Wickersham Wants to Avoid Receiver
ship for Tobacco Trust.

New York. oct. 31-sIt will be a
tremendous calamity to the industries
of this country if some means can not
be found to reorganize the tobacco
combination by avoiding the ruin and
wreck that will be certain to follow a
receivership,'' was the declaration of
Mr. Wicl1erSham today before the
United States circuit court.
Mr.. Wickersham this afternoon be-
gan his argument for the government
in the hearing on the reorganization OF
the tobacco trust
s.Realizing the gravity of the situa-
ton which confronted the government
and the court in this case the attor-
mex. general continued: Il have done
ali in my power to aid in bringing
about a new condition without resort
to a receivership, and I have confer
red frequently with your hOnors and
counsel for the defendants to that end.
II would have been entirely untrue
to my trust if had failed to take that
view of this case and extended my
powers toward that end
New York Oct 31.-In opening his
statement to the court in the tobacco
case today. the attorney general of she
United States said he confessed "a
great deal of sympathy with the inde-
pendent tobacco interests fighting the
reorganization plan and that he did not
feel much concern over extraordinary
fears expressed by the American To-
bacco company Representatives.
Il can readily see," he continued.
chow men who have been fighting
each other for years should come here
asking the court to cripple his enemy
and hand his property over to him.
That, however. is not the function of
this court, and in such case as this
we must turn a deaf ear to its con-
sideration.''
New York, Oct 31.-Arguments for
and against the plan proposed by the
American Tobacco company for disin-
tegration of the tobacco trust by or
der of the supreme court of the
United states were continued today be-
fore the United States circuit court for
the southern district of New York. IN
dependent manufacturers, dealers and
producers who strenuously oppose the
plan, maintaining that it is deceptive
and through mutual stock ownership
sales never viii result in restoring to
conclude early in the day.
The government then will be heard,
the principal address to the court 70
be made by Attorney General Wick
ersham. The attorney general in the
governments answer to the proposal Of
the American company and subsidiary
organizations OF the combination back
ed by the preferred stockholders and
bondhoIders of the corporation held to
be in restraint of trade already has N
dicated that the government will in
sist on a plan Of reorganization that
will result in effecting real competi-
ton
should the plan decided on not act
ually accomplish this result the gov
ernment proposes to be safeguarded by
having reserved to it the right to ap-
peal to the court for further relief at
any time within five years
Judges Lacombe, Coke, Ward and
Noyes. who are hearing the arguments,
have indicated that they could be COM
pleted in all probability today. when
they viii take the case under advise
ment After the statements OF the gov
ernment's officials have been heard