The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-07-06
M 'LAUR|N DECLINES
TO TALK OF GROCERS
President 'sHas Nothing for
the Newspapers"
CASE UP TOMORROW
Defendants Charged With Contempt
in Connection With Prosecutions
for Violation of the Sherman
Antitrust Law

Differing in marked degree from
the suave, diplomatic head of the
Southern Wholesale Grocers' assoeia-
tion remembered on former visits, J..
II. McLaurin of Jacksonville, Fla, pres
ident of the association reached here
yesterday. Redcence seemed to be a
potent part of the official for he
spurned the attentions of newspaper
men. answering only in one way: "I
have nothing for the newspapers
In former cases here the grocers'
president adopted the rule of calling
the newspaper men "old top" and such,
but yesterday he was the reverse. He
talked to Walker Percy. local counsel
for the association, and also Sid w.
Lee of Birmingham as well as two
other defendants, B. b. Ernstrow of
Washington and J. d. Fossett of Bris-
tol, Tenn. Mr.. McLaurin, after meeting
his associates and Mr.. Percy at the
Hillman yesterday at noon, was en-
gagged for two hours. After that he
lunched and was engaged subsequent-
ly in conference.
During the afternoon the informa-
ton was impaired to him that the gov
ernment had excused many of its wit
nesses. During the afternoon he was
advised that several of the co-defend-
ants who had been given the option of
coming here, decided not to come. So
far as known. only three witnesses
are here and four defendants.
MIR. McLaurin. how about this con-
tempt case?' he was asked
Il have nothing for the newspapers, -
he replied.
when will General Wright be here?"
he was asked
Il have no information for the news
papers" he said
rs General Wright still counsel for
the association" he was asked.
Il have nothing for the newspapers,
replied Mr. McLaurin
How about giving you JOY ride?'
was suggested.
'"rhat would be nice. and | would
return the courtesy If you ever came
to Jacksonville" Mr. McLaurin said
What chance is there of your spend
ing your vacation here?" was the next
question.
81 have absolutely no information for
the newspapers"
''Will the case be started Monday?' p
81 have nothing for the newspapers.
The only development in the case OF
the grocers who are charged with yio-
lation of the Sherman law according
to the general opinion, was the rumoi
that the government did not expect
many of the 125 witnesses summoned
and not a half dozen of the defendants
No information was procurable last
night as to the meaning of this alb
sence. 1t was stated by one of the party
that the case would be called Monday
in federal court. 1t is their opinion thai
the case will be disposed of without
much loss of time and without any ma
terial damage to the grocers alleged
by the government to be parties to con-
tempt of the federal court
Gen. Luke e. Wright of Memphis
chief counsel for the association since
Mr.. McLaurin assumed the presidency
and Caruthers Ewing of Memphis, as
sociate counsel, will join Mr. Percy, as
sociate counsel in Birmingham Monday
morning. They will conduct the de-
fense. O. ID. Street, district attorney,
and C. b. Kennemar, assistant district
attorney, and Hinton G. Clabaugh, spe-
cial agent for the department of JUS
tice, will conduct the prosecution
Judge William 1. Grubb will preside.