Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-04-28
Federal Grand Jury Probes
Into Alleged Combine
in Chicago.
EIGHTY.TWO FIRMS
ALSO INVOLVED
Evidence Indicates Agreement Between
Contractors and Labor Union Agents
to Boycott Goods Made Outside Of
Chicaso-Union Men Agreed TO Han.
die No Goods Except That Of Manu-.
facturers Who Signed Agreement.

Chicago April 2s-The eighteen Off
cials of labor unions, eishtytwo con-
tractors or contracting firms and two
alleged trusts named in indictments
returned in the United States district
court yesterday, charging the violation
expected to appear today to give bonds
| for $4,000 for each Indictment.
I If the indicted men do not respond
promptly capiases will be issued.
/ The charges in each of the eight in
! dictments are conspiracy to refrain
trade, interfering with interstate COM
merce and restraining interstate COM
/; merce. The labor leaders were charged
with having prevented union workmen
| from unloading and handling goods
| shipped from outside the state.
Boycott Of Outside Goods.
! The indictments charge that associa-
tions have been formed here for the
purpose Of boycotting goods in certain
lines manufactured outside Of Chicago.
The labor leaders. it was alleged had
agreed not to permit their men to
| work on Jobs where material manu-
featured outside of Chicago was used,
and contractors agreed to employ only
| members Of unions belonging to tho
association.
Labor leaders Plead Innocence.
The investigation was started year
ago.
Simon O'Donnell said Of the indict-
| ments:
II am sure know nothing Of any
thing may be charged with. I have
been fighting for the good Of the
| workmen Of the city and have held
out constantly for an agreement which
sets out that there shall be no dis
elimination against goods outside Chi
cago OF course no one cares to have
a federal Indictment against hin.
| Similar expressions came from other
| labor leaders and manufacturers under
| Indictment.
| Electrical Concerns involved.
Those indicted include eighteen
| union business agents and other labor
officials forty electrical and lighting
! fixture contractors, as individuals. and
forty electrical and fixture firms and
corporations.
Among the labor men indicted are
Simon O'Donnell, president Of the Chi
cago building trades council: Michael
! il Boyle former czar Of the electrical
workers union No. 1874. and Peter S.
Shaughnessy, president Of the brick
layers union.
The contractors indicted are all
members Of the dominant association
In the electrical line-the Chicago
Switchboard Manufacturers Associa-
tion and the Chicago Lighting Fixture
association.
They are charged with conspiracy
to violate the Sherman law by main
tanning a monopoly In restraint OF
trade, combination to fix and maintain
prices, to keep electrical material made
in other cities out OF the Chicago mar
ket, and maintain contracts with the
unions to maintain monopoly. The
union officials also are charged with
interfering with the interstate ship
ments OF "open shop" made ice manu-
featuring machinery!
| This is the largest number OF In
dictments ever returned by Chicago
| federal grand jury in one report, ac-
cording to District Attorney Charles r.
| Clyne. The indictments were returned
before Judge Lands.
Started Last June.
The investigation was started by
James H. Wilkerson. former district at
torney. in June, 1914. Following a
preliminary inquiry the grand Jury was
! summoned by Judge Lands In July,
1914, and instructed to proceed with
three investigations. These were the
| Lorimer- -Munday bank scandal. the
food price inquiry, and the investiga-
ton Of the labor contractors trust"
District Attorney C1yne took up the
inquiry where Mr.. Wilkerson left Off
in September 1914, and with Assistant
District Attorneys Albert L. Hopkins
and Allen j. Carter. who were In
charge OF drawing tho indictments and
examining the witnesses. continued the
inquiry until its completion.
The Investigation Is regarded by the
government as one Of the most COM
! p!s.e cf iss kind ever undertaken. More
than 100 witnesses, including outside
electrical and fixture manufacturers,
labor men, and others, appeared at
various times before the inquisitorial
body.
On Three Counts.
The indictments contain three counts
against most Of the individuals named.
In case Of conviction on all three
counts the maximum penalty would be
fifteen years in the penitentiary, fine
Of $4,000, or both.
The indictments, according to the
government, will put an end to the
alleged unholy alliance between labor
union officials and business agents and
combinations of contractors for "reve-
nue. only" District Attorney Clyne be-
lieyes the work OF the grand jury will
!! clear Chicagos labor atmosphere of
the haze Of conspiracy charges and
will prevent "air tight" combinations
OF building material contractors for the
stif,ing OF competition by keeping out
OF Chicago material made by manu-
facturers not In the combine.
Auntjno Indicted Men.