The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1913-02-14
CONTEMPT CHARGE
AGAINST GROCERS
Southern Wholesale Association Ac-
cused.-Soutk Carolina De-
PENDANTS.

Birmingham, Ala, Feb. 10.-Crlml-
nal contempt of court proceedings
against the Southern Wholesale Gro
GERS association and SO individuals Tor
alleged violations Of the antitrust de-
cree entered against the "grocers'
trust" more than a year ago, were be-
gun here today by the federal govern
ment. This is the first prosecution un-
dertaken by the government against
a trust for the alleged disoledieAce
Of a courts mandate under the Sher-
man law.
Despite the decree, the government
declares in it's petition fled in the
United States district court, the de-
PENDANTS have employed coercion
threats, intimidation and persuasion
to prevent manufacturers, wholesal-
ers and retailers frol reducing prices
1t is charged that thav have sought 10
coerce and compel manufacturers and
producers to market their produce
through the le,l z. Of the wholesa er
and have conspired to prevent direct
transactions from producer to retailer,
or consumer.
These q. t7i.rs frbidden hy tie
decree, and n s.a.i here which en-
tered it OctoIa: l.. 1,'' is asked by
Attorney Gener u Wickersham to maze
an order requiring the following
named defendants to show cause why
they should not be attached and IIn-
isnet fer contempt Of court:
= The Defendants.
The Southern Wholesale Grocers
association; J, H. McLaurin, Jackson
vile, Fla; J. D. Faucette, Bristol
Tenn; C. W. Bartleson, Jacksonville,
Fla; Robert Moore, Jacksonville,
Fla; S. W. Lee. Birmingham, Ala;
John D. Baker, Jacksonville, Fla; E.
L. Adams, Atlanta, Ga; H. Lacy
Hunt, Wilmington, N. c.; John Stag
maier, Chattanooga. Tenn; Sam Kauf-
man, Montgomery, Ala; B. B. Earn
shaw, Washington; J. A. Avant Pen
sacola, Fla; T. E. Bryan, Tampa, Fla;
W. E. Small, Macon, Ca; S. J. Fair
cloth, Quitnan, Ca; A Ryttenberg'
Sumter, S. c.; A. s. J. Davis, Knox
vile, Tenn; L. B. Rogers, AsheVille,
N. c.; ]. A. Kelly, Henderson, N. G..
L. A. Melchers, Charleston, S. c.; c..
w. Garrett, Greenwood, S. c.; B. D.
Hartsfeld, Gainesville. Fla; A. j..
Long, Macon, Ca; c. O. Kuest~r,
Charlotte, N. c.: E E. Mendenhall,
Greensboro, N. c.; R. A. Morrow,
Monroe, N. c.; J. H C. Wulbern,
Charleston, S. c.; ]. F. Brown, Spar
tanburg, s. c.; J. X. Crosswell, Sum-
ter, S. c., and others in various
Southern States.
The individual defendants are
members of the association and have
been officers or directors since the
decree was entered.
Alleges Monopoly.
In direct violation Of the prohibi-
ton of tho decree, the government
charges, the defendants have publish
ed two editions in December, 1911,
and August, 1920 what is known
as the green book" containing a
list of persons doing an exclusive
wholesale business. The purposes and
effect of this book, it is charged is
to delay and prevent retail dealers
and consumers from buying directly
from manufacturer and producer.
The petition cites three letters said
to have been written by President
McLaurin to show the alleged purpose
of the producers to prevent wholesal-
ers and retailers from reducing prices
on certain commodities. Nine other
letters written by MT McLaurin are
incorporated in the petition, with the
purpose of showing that commerce be-
tween producer and retailer or con-
sumner is being restrained in violation
of the decree.
Each of these letters is declared to
be a specific act Of contempt.
The petition signed by Attorney
General Wickersham, James A. Fowl
er, assistant to the attorney general.
and United States Attorney Oliver D.
Street, was sworn to by Hinton G.
Clabaugh, special agent of the depart
ment Of justice.
IN THE HEART OF 4 STORM.