The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-06-15
DECISION RESERVED
IN HARDWARE CASE.
Southern Hardware Jobbers Charged
With Use q Boycott ~ Estraint
OF Trade.

WASHINGTON. june fa-Conciud-
ing oral argument Ia the case q the
Southern Hardware Jobhers associaf-
ton, charged with use 81 the boycott
and conspiracy n restraint OF trade.
were heard today BY the federal trade
commission. The case has been Bit
ierly fought on both sides and has
been on the commissions docket more
than q year. Decision was reserved.
Although G. H. Neff. commission
counsel produced what he described
as conclusive proof that the members
of the association had sought 60 tn
1iuenee AL hardware manufacturer. as
well "a members of the association 20
ioln an alleged consplrncy. p. O.
knight 81 Tampa. Fla. fer the asso-
citation. catered a categorical denial
OF the whole charge Mr knight as
serted that the whole case slmmered
down 20 tho question ~ whether any
merchant could net pick his own Gus
tomera No law. he conteuded. could
compel general sales and ma power was
repOsed in congress permitting Il 20
enact such legislation.
The case grew cat ~ complaint by
the Merchants COOPERATIVE assocsa-
tion and the American Purchasing
company. - Atlanta. a joint concern.
in which MANY retail hardware dealers
were allied FOR tire purchase Or their
stocks from manufacturers The gov
eminent claim was that members OF
the fobbera' association had attempted
p refuse 70 sell q Il. Mr. knight con-
tended that testimony taken IA the
ufaeturers who had not accepted or
deFs from thu cooperative institution.
ard that each ~ these had legitimate
grounds for doing 80.
A sharp lire ~ demarcation on the
question ~ a boycott was drawn bvI
the opposing lawyers Mr. knight told
the commission that the government
ease represented many differences. as
sumptlona and conclusions for which
no basis existed tn the sworn testi-
mouy" Tie declared that whereas the
governments argument held the job
eers' association responsible for an
acts complained 0g by the cooperative,
firm Il excepted las tobbing eoncernsI
81 the section east Of the Mississippi
and south 81 ta@ Ohio and Potomac
IN this territory more than s5o jobhers
are engaged IN business he added.
ar. Seff. on the other hand. offered
a. evidence ~ the alleged conspiracy
several dozen letters exchanged be-
TWEEN officials ~ the iohhers' associa-
ton ard tie American Hardware
Manufacturers association and tndf-
viduai business concerns throughout
the south. which ~ claimed showed
definite plan 90 employ the boycott
AGAINST the cooperative institution
Dangers ~ clashing with the sheg-
man art were mentioned On several %
them. In enc. a letter said 20 have beer
signed by John DOMAIN. secretary 81
the tohbera' association. the subject
vas believed 20 BE too delicate 70 be
'sput 81 writing" Mp Nesf said. A. 81
discussion vas deferred until a dis
Uies meeting 81 the members was held
81 Montgnrmery Alabama. Mr. Neff
was unable . give the commission de-
tails ~ what went On 81 the meeting
which was held nearly two wears ago
because the session Vas behind closed
doors
Auswerlng the complaint that the
house had been denied
membership 81 the 3obbers' association.
Dir. lSnieht declared the association