The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1911-11-03
ASK DISSOLUTION
OF STEEL TRUST
Government Files Suit in Tren-
ton Court.
ACTION CAUSED SURPRISE
Corporation Directors, to Avoid Suit,
Had Voted to Give Up Lease on Ore
Lands and Lower Railway Rates.

Dissolution of the United States
Steel Corporation and its subsidiary
companies wa sasked by the govern
ment in suit filed In the United
States circuit court in Trenton, N. j.
The petition charges that the steel
corporation is an Illegal combination
in restraint of trade and, therefore,
prohibited by the Sherman antitrust
law.
The petition was prepared by Jacob
M. Dickinson, former secretary OF
war, who has been retained by the
government as its special counsel In
this case.
This sudden and surprising action
by the government-one of the most
important trust actions ever attempt
ed-came simultaneously with the de-
cison of the board of directors of the
Steel Corporation In New York to can
Gel It's lease of the Great Northern
iron ore properties in the Lake Su-
perior region, and to reduce the rates
on ore on the two railroads in that re-
gion controlled by the trust. The ac-
tion of the board Of directors was
taken as an effort to forestall n suit
by the government under the Sherman
antitrust law
The petition filed by the government
In Trenton charges the Steel Corpora
tlon and those subsidiaries which are
named as defendants with maintaining
or attempting to maintain, monopo-
ly in the steel business
mn. "a ~ 10
brought was obtained by the special
investigators of the department OF JUS
tice.
1t is understood that some of the
testimony which was given before the
Stanley investigation committee of
national house of representatives was
used, In part. at least, rs the basis of
this suit. The petition Is In equity and
was filed in the circuit court.
1t contains the usual prayer for in
functions to restrain the defendants
from continuing the monopoly alleged,
and asks for such relief as the court
may grant.
As soon as word was received at
the department of justice that the bill
had been filed. the following statement
was Issued:
"A petition was filed in the United
States circuit court at Trenton. N. j.,
against the United States Steel Cor
poratlon and its subsidiary companies.
charging them with being an unlawful
combination In restraint of trade and
a monopoly, or attempt at monopoly.
THE petition was prepared by j.
NJ. Dickinson, former secretary of war,
who was some two months ago re-
tanned by the attorney general for the
purpose of making careful examina-
tlon of all the evidence which had
been collected by the department of
justice. together with that taken by
the Stanley committee"
The United States Steel Corporation
(steel trusb was organized Feb. %.
1901 with capitalization of 81 400,-
100000 (including bonds) This mark
ed the last step in the long struggle
for unity in production and selling
which began with the rail pool" of
1887
The constituent companies, all of
which were organized in the years
1898 to 1900, are: Carnegie company,
Federal Steel company, American
Steel and Wire company. American
Tin Plate company, with 265 plants;
American Steel Hoop company, Amer
lean Sheet Metal company. American
Bridge company, National Tube com
pany, Shelby Steel Tube company and
National Steel COmnanV