The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1911-05-20
An Unreasonable Combination in
Restraint of Trade Charge
Made in Bill.
SENSATIONAL METHODS
TO CONTROL ALL TRADE.
Boycott and Other Illegal Methods
Alleged - First of Big
Antitrust Campaign. &;


FEDERAL antitrust proceedings brought
under the Sherman law as Interpreted
by the Standard Oil decision, the de-
partment of Justice fled suit IN the
United States court here to-day
against various constituent orRaniza-
tions OF what is popularity krown as
the lumber trust" alleging the ex.
listing OF a widespread conspiracy.
'unreasonably" TO restrain the lumber
trade I'm this country.
u is said that the suit may be the
hrst OF a series planned by Attorney
Ieneral Wickersham. looking TO the
breaking mp OF alleged combinations
against the retailers of many OF the
commodities OF life TO maintain high
prices; TO force all ultimate con-
sumers 10 buy from retailers and TO
blacklist wholesalers who sell to
Others than members OF the retail
organizations In the various states
and cities.
Many Are Defendants.
Ten trade organizations and more
than $50 individuals are named as de-
PENDANTS in to-day's suit II alleges
violation OF the Sherman antitrust
law and seeks a permanent injunc-
tion restraining the defendants from
continuing the conspiracy charge.
The elaborate system OF blacklist.
ing attributed TO the alleged con-
spirators. copies of circulars sent out
by the various organizations classify
ing consumers as proper" and i'm
proper trade. extracts from reports
threatening short shrift" to dealers
daring 20 violate the rules OF the
organizations and branding such Of
tenders as 'pOachers." "scalper,"
mavericks" and "illigitimates" are
fully set forth in the governments
petition.
Sensational Charges.
Il is alleged that not only have pri-
vate consumers been blacklisted but
that many OF the great Industrial con-
Germs OF the country have been put
under the ban by the lumber dealers.
The suit is directed specifically
against retail organizations in the
eastern states. but the trial unques-
. tionably will embrace methods adopt
ed by retailers and wholesalers
throughout the United States
Although the lawyers in charge OF
the case believe the Standard OIL de-
cision involving reasonable" or "un-
reasonable restraint" will not affect
the lumber case. as II is represented
10 be one OF simple conspiracy. never
theless. the accustory parts OF the
bin conform to that decision and
charge undue" and unreasonable"
restraint OF the trade OF the consumer
and manufacturer OF lumber. Lesser
stress is laid upon the alleged con-
spiracy between the defendants them
selves.
The government takes the position
that any agreements or acts which
prevent n consumer from buying
where he chooses or his best advan-'
tage are IN unreasonable" restraint
of trade and violate the Sherman law.
No attack on the middle man. as such.
Is Intended, the department OF Justice
holding that there IS legitimate bust
ness opportunity for him.
The Charges.
Priefly IN its bill tho government
alleges
That the retailers have conspired
among themselves 90 prevent the
manufacturers and wholesalers from
selling lumber direct 20 the consumer.
"a consumer FOR these purposes IL
held Co De the contracting builder mail
order house. farmers cooperative
union or tho citizen who buys "a pine
board % repair his wood shed1
That hundreds Of Consumers in
clgdirr the largest corporations In the
country. have been compelled BY al
legged unlawful agreements 20 buy
lumber from retailers a. much high
cr prices than they would have paid
fo Wholesaler
That. although the National
Wholesale Lumber Dealers Associa-
flon is not named ns defendant. hv
agrcomonts with it. tho Eastern
states Association has orranizcd and
circulated hlack'isfu which have AZ
footed fh0 lumber trade in New York.
North Carolina. kcrtuckv. pcnnsvI-
tauin. Maryland Michigan. West VIr-
FiniH Masenchuaoffs. Tennessee. South
Caroline. virginia Ncw Jersey. Im-
nois. ohio. Wisconsin. Louisiana.
Connecticut Indiana. Florida. Geor-
gIa. Missouri Alabama. Rhoda Ia
iaud. California Mieairaiuui the Dis
trIrf ~ Columbia tho Canadian prov
incHs ~ quebec ontario. Nova scotia
and British columbia
That na result of alleged black
lists wholesalers have been directed
nnt f0 soil lumber fo dealers who have
dealt with consumers in whoicaaia
quantities and that fol the case of
wholesalers who have dealt with con-
Ccontinusd on Fourtssnth ParsJ