The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1912-05-23
GOVERNMENT SUES
ALUMINIUM TRUST
DECLARED THAT IT HAS GREAT
ED q MONOPOLY IN THE
WHITE METAL.
HISTORY OF
10 Description Given Of the Fate Of
Rival coneerns-contends. 90 Per
Cent Of the Raw
Material.

Pittsburg. May The federal gov
eminent filed a civil antitrust suit
against the Aluminium Company Of
America, which will be the basis for
an agreed decree destined to restrain
the aluminium trust from monopolizing
the manufacture of aluminium and its
products, including cooking utensils.
In a petition in equity to the United
States court for the western district
OF Pennsylvania, the company is
charged with being a monopoly re-
straining interstate and foreign COM
merce in violation of the Sherman law.
II is declared to have acquired a sub
stantial control of the aluminium in
dustry In the United States and to
have charged ~unreasonably high prices
and profits or its products.
Nine Injunctions Sought.
The dissolution of the corporation is
sought, but the court Is asked to issue
nine broad injunctions against alleged
unlawful contracts, combinations, con-
spiracies and practices. The govern
ment comedies that the company's
ownership of more than 80 per cent Of
the known deposits of bauxite (base
Of aluminum) In the United States
and Canada, suitable for the manu-
facture of the metal is mot within
ITSELF unlawful. 1t is charged, how
ever, that the practical monopoly in
both bauxite and the manufacture Of
aluminium, which the company legally
enjoyed upon the expiration of it's
patents for making aluminium in 1909
has been maintained by unlawful
agreements and unfair methods to-
ward competitors.
History of Shipwrecks."
The extent of other bauxite deposits
in the United States is not known at
this time but 1t is pointed out that
there are inexhaustible quantities
abroad which could be placed at the
disposal OF competitors for aluminium
manufacture, If the restraint upon the
trade were removed. The history of
the aluminium cooking utensil industry
In the Unites States, says the petition,
Is a history Of sh~ipwrecks, caused
chiefly or contributed to by the arbi-
trary, discriminatory and unfair deal
lngs of the defendant"
The agreed decree, which will be en-
tered within a few days, will follow
the governments prayer for restraints
upon the company. This agreement
obviating a prolonged battle in the
courts was the result Of several weeks
'of negotiations between the depart
ment OF Justice and the corporation.
Washington, ID. C. - Supported by
all OF the Progressive Republicans, the
house passed the Clayton a~ntfiniunc-
ton bill, 244 to 81. Every Democrat
present voted for 1t, and the result
was announced to the accompaniment
Of a remarkable demonstration.
The legislation Is regarded as one
Of the most advanced steps yet taken
In the interests of organized labor.
Throughout the debate, President
Gompers, Secretary Morrison and a
half dozen members of the executive
committee of the American Fedora
ton CO Labor wcro interested listen
ers. They occupied a front row in the
members gallery.
The bill amends the law TO prohibit
the issuance of injunctions without
notice being served On those affected.
Such injunctions would be effective
for seven days only, and renewal
would be possible only when the court
was convinced such action was neces-
sary for the conservation of rights
of property.
"John Doe" injunctions would be
impossible and the rights of peaceful
picketing' in strikes or peaceful boy
colts" would be recognized.
Sherman Signs Election Bill.
Washington, ID. C. Vice Presi-
dent Sherman, as presiding officer of
tae senate, signed the joint resolu-
ton for constitutional amendment for
direct election of United States sen
ators. Secretary Knox now will pre-
sent the amendment to the states.
Washington, d. c. - The house
adopted, by a vote Of 2s7 to 39, a joint
resolution providing for an amend
ment to the constitution to permit the
election of United States senators by
direct vote Of the people. 1t already
had passed the senate and now goes
TO the states for ratification.
All that remains to be done Is the
formal signing of the instrument and
the issuance of a proclamation to the
states to signify their wishes on the
proposed change.
Thsre was not a single Republican
vota .~of npn{nef the reanlufjnn which