The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-04-30
CHARGE ILLEGAL
 CONSPIRACY ID MAKE MUN|I!ON
Milwaukee Citizen Brings Suit Against Concern En- gagged in Manufactur-
 ing War. Material

Milwaukee, April 20.--A complaint was filed today under the so-caIled "discovery" statute of Wisconsin to ob- tain information to determine whether the AIIis Chalmers company, Otto Talk, its president, and others have entered into . conspiracy with ths Bethlehem Steel company and others to manufacture and ship shrapneI shells the Wisconsin law.
 The action, service in which was se- cured tonight, calls for the appearance of Falk and the other defendants be- fore the circuit court commissioner in Milwaukee May for preliminary action before pleading as provided by the dis covery statute proceedings Falk is cited to bring with him all letters, contracts, correspondence and agreements between the Allis Chalmers company and the Beth lehem Steel company.
 The complaint was filed by Samuel Pearson, who declares he is citizen of the United States and that he has valu- able property interests located within the boundaries of the German empire; that he Is owner of securities issued by the German government.
 New Manufacture
 On information and belief. Pearson ayers, that the defendants. prior to the war. were engaged in the manufacture of peaceful instruments of art and indus try and that the manufacture of shrap- r., ,I.y <I,o started.
 The complaint sets worth that it is bis belief that the defendants have en- tered into an unlawful conspiracy with the Bethlehem Steel company and others and that such conspiracy indicated is a criminal offense under the laws of Wis consin
 The examination of the defendants un- der the discovery statute Is for the pur- pose of ascertaining. among other things, the names of each person or corporation with whom the defendants may have con- tracted for the manufacture of shrapne' shells or similar munitions: the intent and nature of such contracts. and the names of any consignees to whom such muni- tions may have been shipped
 Upon the information gained in the ex- animation it is said an injunction suit will be based to prevent the defendants from continuing in any such conspiracy as is alleged.
 Ammunition Indispensable
 The complaint states that one type of ammunition indispensable to the bel ligerents is the shrapnel shell, designed for the destruction of human life and property. and that the intent of the war being conducted against the German em- pire Is so to cripple the empire as to compel the submission of Germany to the future disposition of its national domain or to the surrender of its sovereign life as the allies may dispose. if victorious.
 Mention of President Wilson's neutrality proclamation is made and certain fed eral statutes are cited. violation or which. it is. contended, constitute breaches of neutrality and submit the offender to criminal prosecution for high crimes and misdemeanors.'
 According to the complaint the duration of the war would be materially shortened and the operations resulting in wholesale bloodshed and taking of life and vast destruction of property would be cur tailed if arms and ammunition were with held by the United States from either of the beliigerents.