The Sentinel=record. (Hot Springs, Ark.) 1900-current, 1911-05-20
MORE TRUST
SUITS FILED
GovERNM EMIT BEGINS ACTION
AGAINST WHAT Is KNOW
LUMBER TRUST"
Ten Trade Organizations Includen IN
Elaborate Bill Of Particulars Filed
by Assistants of Attorney
General.

New York, May 10 I'm tie frs
federal anti trust proceedings brought
under the Sherman law as interpreted
by the Standard Oil decision. the Dc
partment of Justice filed suit in the
federal court here today against var
ious constituents owners of what is
known as the lumber trust,' alleging
the existence of widespread conspiI
acy "unreasonaDlyv to restraint the
lumber trade in this country.
is said the suit may be the first
Of series planned by Attorney Gen
eraI Wickersham, looking to the
breaking uD OF alleged agreements
among the retailers of many of the
commodities Of life to maintain high
prices, to force all ultimate consum
ers to buy from retailers and to black
list wholesalers who sell TO others
than members Of the retail organiza-
tions in the various states and cities.
Ten trade organizations and more
than $50 individuals are named as
defendants in today's suit. 1t alleges
violation of the Sherman antitrust
law and seeks a permanent injunc-
tion restraining the defendants from
continuing the conspiracy charged.
The elaborate system of blacklist
ing attributed to the alleged conspira-
tors. copies of circulars sent by the
various organizations classifying con-
sumers as proper" and improper
trade. extracts from reports threat
er,ng short shrifts" to dealers dar-
ing to violate the rules of the organi
cations and branding such offenders
as "poachers,, "scalpers,' ''maver-
icks" and illigitimates' are fully
set forth in the governments posi-
tion.
1t Is alleged that not only have pri-
vate consumers been blacklisted, but
many OF the great industrial concerns
OF the country have been put under
the ban by the lumber dealers. The
governments bill, aggregating 20
600 words. Is replete with sensational
allegations and interesting exhibits.
The suit Is directed specifically
against retaR 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 and
unreasonable restraint" will not at
feet the lumber case, as It is repre-
sented to be one of simple conspir-
acy. nevertheless the accusatory parts
of the bill 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. In general the case IS regard
ed as Attorney General Wickersham
long planned test suit to have th'
courts determine how many combina
tions of retailers may go to preven
the ultimate consumer from dealin'
directly with the wholesaler or pro
ducer.
The government takes the positlol
that any agreement or acts whicl
prevent consumer from buyin
where he chooses. or to his best ad
vantage. are in unreasonable re
straint of trade and violate the Sher
man law. No attack on the middle
man as such is intended, the Depart
ment of Justice holding that there
legitimate business opportunity 10
him.
II is known that while the depart
ment has been making a tion-wid
investigation OF the question as
relates to lumber, its agents have re
ported that the case is merely pal
ralelled in the marketing of man
other commodities. If the geyerr
ment's contentious in this case al
sustained. there are promise
sweeping attacks on similar ailege
conspiracies. The department of ju
tice regards the case as the most in
portant in principle Of all the ant
trust suits undertaken.
Attorney General Wickersbam pc
sonally directed the gathering OF Il
evidence. which has occupied mo
man year. Ills speeinl assistar