Elk City mining news. (Elk City, Idaho) 1903-1913, 1911-06-01
LUMBER TRUST NEXT
GOVERNMENT STARTS ACTION
Under The SHERMAN LAW
FOR CONSPIRACY.
Claims They Are in Restraint of Trade.
in This Country-Attorney General
Wickersham Has Been Gathering Evil
dence for More Than Year-Claims
Consumer Ought to Buy Anywhere.

In the first federal antitrust pro-
ceedings brought under the Sherman
law as interpreted in the Standard Oil
decision the department of justice fled
in the United States court in New York
recently suit against constituent or
CARNATIONS of what is popularity known
as the "lumber trust" alleging the
existence of widespread conspiracy
"unreasonably" to restrain the lumber
trade in this country.
Ten trade organizations and more
than $50 individuals are named as de-
PENDANTS. 1t alleges violation of the
Sherman antitrust law and seeks a
permanent injunction restraining the
defendants from continuing the con-
spiracy charges.
First of a Series.
1t is said the suit may be the first
of series planned by Attorney Gen
eral Wickersham, looking to the break
ing up of alleged agreements between
the retailers of commodities to main
tain high prices to force all ultimate
consumers to buy from retailers and to
blacklist wholesalers who sell to others
than members of the retail organiza-
lions.
The elaborate system of blacklist
ing attributed to the alleged lumber
conspirators, copies of circulars sent
out by the organization, classifying
consumers as "proper" and elm
49,
ening "short shrift" to dealers daring
to violate the rules of the organization,
and branding such officers as "poach-
ers," "scalpers," mavericks and
"illegitimates" are fully set forth in
the government IS petition.
Against Retailers.
1t is alleged that not only private
consumers have been blacklisted, but
that many greet industrial concerns
have been put under the ban by the
lumber dealers. The government bill,
aggregating 10000 words, is replete
with sensational allegations and inter
esting exhibits. The suit is directed
specifically against retail organizations
In the eastern states, but the trial will
embrace methods adopted 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 Gun
reasonable" restraint will not affect
the lumber cases, as it is represented
to be one of simple conspiracy, never
theless, the accusatory parts of the
bill conform to that decision and
charge "undue" and unreasonable
restraint of the lumber trade.
Lesser stress is laid on the alleged
conspiracy between the defendants
themselves. In general the case is re-
garded as Attorney General Wicker
sham's long-planned test suit to have
the courts determine how far combina-
lions OF retailers may go to prevent
tne ultimate consumer from. dealing
directly with the wholesaler or pro-
Queer.
Hampering the Consumer.
The government takes the position
that any agreements or acts which
prevent consumer from buying where
ne chooses or to his best advantage are
IN unreasonable restraint of trade
ana violate the Sherman law. No at
tack on the middleman, as such, is in
tended, the department of justice hold
ing that there is legitimate opportunity
for him.
IL is known that while the depart
nent has been making a nationwide
investigation, its agents have re-
ported that the case is nearly paral-
ieled IN the marketing of many other
commodities. If the government IS con-
'en'ionS are sustained there is promise
u a sweeping attack upon some al
legged conspiracies.
n.1orney General Wickersham per-
sonally directed the gathering of the
evidence which has occupied more than
a year.