New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-02-18
WARD BREAD co.
FACES CHARGE
OF CONSPIRACY
Mr.. Becker TO Act on Evi-
dence Scent Price Was
Forced on Dealers.
BOYCOTT ALLEGED
IF ANY REFUSED
Grain Expert Says Europe Made
Wheat Price SOar-PreSidcnt
Reassurcs Mayor.

The first sensation ir tic Attorney
Generals investigation into the ad-
vance in the price Of wheat. -four and
bread developed yesterday. Eviden
sufficient 10 warrant criminal action
against at least ono Of the large baking
firms in this city in this instance the
Ward Baking Company was brought
out, according TO Alfred l.. Bec%er, the
Deputy Attorney General in charge OF
the inquiry. The evidence will be pre-
scented to District Attorl'y Perkins to-
day.
The sensational turn in the proceed
ings was the Development of infcrma
tion received by Mr.. Becker Tuesday
night that some of the large b kers
who had advanced the price Of bread
had attempted to coerce small retail
customers and comp-l them TO sell
bread at six cents.
Jefferson Lasher, driver for the
Ward company. admitted that he had
been ordered TO tell customers that
they would have to sell bread at six
cents following the advance in the
wholesale price 10 five cents by the
company, on February 10. He testified
that he obtained oral agreements from
ffty.two bakers on his route TO that
effect. Two grocers testified yesterday
that when they declined TO raise the
price they were boycotted by the Ward
drivers.
referring to the matter a: the close
of the hearing, Mr.. Becker said:
plain Case Of Conspiracy.
"The testimony Of the driver Lasher
on the question of conspiracy IS as
Pat as it could be. 1t is plain case
of conspiracy to restrain trade. II Is
nv duty TO turn over the evidence 10
the District Attorney, which l shall 90
immediately. II may be my speclal
function as Deputy Attorney Genera
IN hiring an action against the Waro
Baking Company to obtain an ih,uhc
.;on restraining the company from
similar acts. This is only one OF sew
.r,1 imnortant developments We e1-
,oct soon in the course OF the hear
ings."
Mr.. Becker cited the decision oil inc
limited States Supreme Court IN tne
COS. of the Miles Medical Company
ao.;ns, John D. Park & Sons Com
norv that it was al illegal restraint
&c trad. for a manufacturer to attempt
% control the price at which the re.
,a,lor sold the article. 1t is understood
b., information is in the hands OF
tho Attorney General which may war
rart similar action against other large
baking concerns. 4.
Lasher vas told by the Deputy Al.
torncv General, before testifyine' ol
his right to immunity from cr'm,n",
os.cption if he testified, and asked
;r ne would waive such immunity Inc
driver promptly waived the privilege,
Tn. fact that he had been subpenaed
vas evidently surprise to the officiaiS
of the Ward company. Another driver
Ohio was wanted yesterday by the At
torrey General, could not be found.
lanes b. Arthur, secretary OF the
uord compsnv, when he heard OF the
d-;ver's testimony, declared that II
was a pretty small piece of business, ;,
70 subpoena driver or the stree f,r
u,;thout 90 letting the company know. Mr..
Arthur denied that any OF the drivers RS
I'd been instructed TO tell customers
"If any of our drivers have been
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