davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1949-12-04
Here Is an Outline of
the Trust.Busting
Suit of Year
By Robert K. Walsh

The antitrust battle between
the Justice Department and the
Great Atlantic g. Pacific Tea Co.
bursts with issues more mixed than
the items on supermarket shelves.
A dispute that reaches back into
the 1920s and has gone through
four Federal courts in the last
eight years roars toward further
trial next spring. Arguments blow
hotter and heavier than any
around a country store
stove.
The Government pushes a civil
suit to split the biggest food chain
in the United States and to stop
it from continuing persistent
fragrant violations" for which 1t
was convicted and fined in a
criminal antitrust case.
The 90-year-old company. with
6,O0O,O 900 daily customers in 1880
retail establishments in 40 States
and the District, 10000 employees
and a 1948, gross income of $4,000
600 900, asserts such a purge would
wreck A. &. P, raise food prices
and imperil any business that
grows big and sells cheap.
1t doesn't make sense to be
for keeping prices
down, not up. and for making the
food business better for competi-
tors as we'll as customers, the COM
pany protests. 1t amounts. the
company warns. to the Govern
ment "rescuing" less efficient and
uneconomical business at the ex-
pense of the consumer.
The Justice Department says it
simply intends to enforce "tradi-
tional antitrust principles" and
the Sherman Act passed by a Re-
publican Congress go years ago
It denies hitting at bigness, efici-
ency and aggressiveness in busi-
ness in general or at the A. & P
low-price goal in particular.
Stirs Public Interest
A. g. P. wonders why 1t is ac-
cused of restraining trade and
rearing a monopoly when ii
handles only about Ga per cent OF
the food business in the United
States, as compared with 11.6 pei
cent in 1888. 1t also notes that
more than $50 food chains have
been established since that time
and at least 10000 new independ-
ent retail stores added to the $780,
900 already in operation.
That, in the opinion of the JUS
tice Department, is beside the
point. The fault lies not in A. & P.
achievement but in using wrong
full means. for an :. avowed good
end, the department says. Even
If some Of the means are all right
In themselves they have been fitted
into a pattern of law violation and
monopolistic dangers that bodies
Evening star., 1949-12-04

behind the iron curtain. Nor
have there been, as in the past.
Calculated leaks" about new con-
centrations and movements Of
Red divisions ir1 Eastern Germany.
II the composition OF Moscow's
forces has undergone any change
in recent months, it was done un-
obtrusively and behind the screen
of real secrecy which the Russians
can always enforce.
This apparent quieting OF Red
military fanfares has given West
ern Europe military leaders food
for thought. They fear that it
may be the lull before the storm.
The appointment OF Russia's
Marshal Rokossovsky as dictator
Of Poland, together with the pend
ing consolidation of all the forces
of that Soviet satellite under his
command, is considered far more
dangerous than the Politburo's
saber-rattling since 1916.
Brains of Staff
To this must be added the re-
ports-still difficult to confirm
that the number of parachute di-
visions in Eastern Europe and on
the Western borders of the
U. S. S. R. have increased lately.
Marshal Rokossovsky-a former
Czarist ofhcer-is regarded by all
Western generals as the outstand-
ing strategist of the Red Army.
While other well-known Soviet
commanders, like Marshal Zhu-
kov, are excellent ground COM
manders, Rokossovsky at present
is the brains of the general staff.
He was appointed commander
in chief of the Polish and Russian
forces in the Western areas. be-
sides taking over the secretariat
general of the Communist Party
in order to prevent any Polish
Evening star., 1949-12-04

cretly q "two-price level" lower
for A. & P. and higher for other
food companies. Getting secret
price discounts and rebates. Get
ting lower prices and top-grade
produce from growers by threat
ening to withhold patronage.
Operating the Atlantic Commis-
sion Co. as a subsidiary that
bought produce for A. g. P. and
acted as selling agent for the same
shippers in sales to retail COM
petitors of A. q P. Using profits
from it's own food manufacturing
business to "subsidize" retail
stores purposely run at loss in
various communities or districts
until competitors stores were
forced out Of business.
In finding the defendants guilty
in the criminal case, Judge Lindley
noted that the offenses were es-
sentially economic" and not re-
lated "to the moral turpitude Of
the offender" Accordingly. he saw
no purpose in imposing prison
sentences in addition to the fines.
Target of Patman
That Is a major consideration
to the company. not alone as a
"vindication" Of the. organization
and its two owners, John and
George Hartford, but because "the
antitrust lawyers failed In their
efforts to make us out as crimi-
nails"
A. 81 p. has had many brushes
with the Justice Department dur
ing the last 20 years. In Congress
it has long been a special target
of Representative Patman. Demo-
#crat, of Texas. regarded by A. d p.
as prime mover behind the anti
trust proceedings that began in
the early 1940s.
John Hartford. 74-year-old son
OF the company's founder, has had
troubles In other fields but
emerged triumphant on at least
one notable occasion. Il
In 1899 he lent 5000, 900 to-
Elliott Roosevelt to finance q
Texas radio network. In his 1912
income tax return he claimed a
bad debt" allowance Of $i96, ,000
Subsequent reports disclosed Mr..
Roosevelt repaid $4,000 Of the
loan but felt under no moral
obligation to make further pay.
|ment when, he said, Mr.. Hartford
did not accept the original col
lateral offer. The Internal Reve-i
niue Bureau allowed Mr.. Hart
ford's claim. !
still later Mr.. Hartford re-
(see WALSH, Page C-2.)
Evening star., 1949-12-04

ill for business and the public well
fare, the antitrust prosecutors
hold.
A. 81 P. blames the antitrust
lawyers from Washington" for at
tempting to get by court decision
what Congress has repeatedly re-
fused to provide by legislation-a
radically different Interpretation
of the Sherman Act and a new
sort of economic Apolicy concern
ing competition. A victory for the
company in the pending civil suit
will mean "a return to the original
philosophy OF the antitrust law" /"
its officials maintain.
Trust busting, hitherto over the
heads of most people, has stirred
intense public interest in this in
stance. especially on the plane Of
the pocketbook and in the sphere
of everyday buying and selling.
Confusion, however. has be-
come confounded by complexity Of
the legal proceedings, vastness
and variety Of the business, and
angry accusations about motives
Of the parties involved.
A $5.000.00 advertising cam
|paign by A. 81 p. and ard-driving
statements by Attorney General
McGrath and Assistant Attorney
General Herbert A. Bergson, Anti
Trust Division head, have carried
the fight directly to the people
since September.
New York headquarters of the
company reported last week that
between 10000 and $1,000 letters
have poured in there and that
all division Offices have been
flooded" by encouraging mes
sages. There has been no attempt
to have customers. employees, COM
petitors or others write to the
company, Congress, the White
House or the Justice Department,
A. & p. added.
Ads Called Deceiyins'
About 1900 letters have come
to the Justice Department. Some
$500 OF these, Mr.. Bergson ex-
planned, opposed the departments
stand. Each was answered and
upward Of 100 Of the writers re-
piled to say they changed their
minds after reading the depart
ment's version.
Attorney General McGrath be-
lieves the company's "slick" ad-
vertising campaign has deceived"
the public to date. A. & p. de-
clares that, despite intricate legal
moves. the matter really bells
down to something that can be
Evening star., 1949-12-04

(See LINCOLN, Page C-5D
Evening star., 1949-12-04

HALL pdlG VI Vic 1oNSh AAAASho
case. The Government then will
attempt to show that violations
and wrongful intent" have been
continuous.
II don't see how we can lose"
Mr.. Bergson said.
Bergson Confident
The defendants job in the civil
case is essentially to prove they
did not willfully violate the anti
trust laws and that the activities
tof which the Government COM
plains are legal.
Above that, however. the COM
pany indicated it will urge the
court to look into the dangers"
that the Justice Depaftment's suit
holds for the national economy
and proper" Interpretation Of
the antitrust laws.
Moreover. a company official
remarked. "in this country a de-
fendant Is presumed innocent un-
til proven guilty. The Justice De-
partment has admitted it cannot
prove many of the alleged viola
tions but it asks the court to hold
that they nevertheless were in
tended to violate the Sherman
Act, and therefore the company
should be broken up. We will
show, too. that the power that the
Justice Department says we pos
sess did not create and does not
tend to monopoly"
A. & P. lost most early rounds
in the legal fight. The first judicial
round in 1923 amounted to a
draw, or at least a withdraw.
In May. 1941. the Antitrust
Division, then headed by Thurman
Arnold, began to look into A. g.
P. as part of a reported investi-
CATION of the entire food industry.
Company officials welcomed" the
examination, voluntarily sub
mitted records and were promised
an opportunity to correct any
thing found Inconsistent" They
never had the opportunity. they
said, although Government agents
studied 2,000, 900 documents as far
back as 1920 and photostated
Sc, 900.
Indictment Ordered Quashed
A special Federal grand Jury
In Dallas, Tex. in November,
1912, indicted the parent COM
pany, II subsidiaries and 16
officers on charges of conspir-
acy to 'monopolize a substantial
part Of trade and commerce in
food and food products.
Federal Judge w. H. Atwell In
Dallas ordered the indictment
quashed. The Court Of Appeals
in New Orleans in June. 1943, re-
fused to uphold such dismissal.
Returning the case for rehearing,
the appellate court nevertheless
agreed with Judge Atwell that
there are many allegations in
the Indictment which are irrele-
want and unnecessary to the
charging Of an offense which, If
not designed to be, are in fact in
flammatory and prejudicial."
The Government dropped the
case at Dallas in February, 1944.
The same day the Justice Depart
ment presented an information in
Federal Court at Danyille. III. This
named the same defendants and
contained substantially the same
charges as in the Dallas indict-
ment charging criminal conspir-
acy to injure or destroy food
manufacturers, professors, whole-
salers and independent retailers.
Evening star., 1949-12-04
RedSturIsOn|
Wune in ItuIy|
by Philib CIorke

ROME.-Local elections in
dicate communism's star is
growing DINNER in democratic
Italy.
The trend is toward the mid
die of the road. It follows only
three years after communism's
high tide threatened to engulf
the struggling new republic and
invade all of Western Europe.
A government compilation Of
returns from city and town
council elections in the first
nine months of 1949 as COM
pared to a similar period In
1946 shows:
Communists and their leftist
allies. who won 47 per cent OF
the council seats in 1916, took
only 27 per cent in 1949.
Pro = government political
forces of the center jumped
from 8 per cent of the seats in
1916 to "a per cent in 1949.
Christian Democrats, stand
ing alone a little to the right OF
center, increased their strength
from "a to Is per cent. Ex-
treme right-wingers, including
the neo-Fastists. from 3 per
cent in 1946 to S per cent
in l949. Independents and
"others" boosted their percent
age of seats from II to 10.
The elections filled some
2,400 seats vacated by council
designations or the formation Of
new local governments. They
occurred in all parts Of the
country. Regular council elec-
tions are scheduled next year.
The next national parliament
tary election is in 1858.
monthly breakdown Of the
council returns indicated Com
munist strength began to slip
sharply in the spring. This
was followed by an admission
by Communist Party Secretary
Pietro Secchia that the party
had lost 90, 900 members in the
previous six months.
Trend Away From 'Isms'
Defense Minister Randolfo
Pacciardi put Communist
Party losses at 100000 during
1948.
Communist Boss Palmiro
Togliatti and other leaders
sought to prove that any loss
in membership was due to q
purge of the wavering and
more than made up by .
Tightening Of ranks"
Western diplomatic observers
believe communism still is po-
tentially powerful in italy.
But they concede the trend to-
day is away from '1sms."
They attribute communism's
stumble in Italy to:
/. Slow but sure economic
recovery under the impetus OF
nearly a half billion dollars in
Marshall Plan aid. Italians
today are eating better, work.
ing more and living better gen.
orally.
2 Mounting church opposi-,
ton highlighted BY the Pope's
historic accommodation de-
cree last July against Cath
olics who militantly support
communism. Nearly all Ital-
ians are Catholics.
8. Growing appreciation Of
democratic ways by millions Of
Italians previously accustomed
only to dictatorship.
Many Italians still openly ex-
press disappointment at the
lackluster appearance Of their
new democracy. They remember
the proud days Of Mussolini's
blackshirts and the fancy trap
pings of his dictatorship.
But Italy's advance toward
recovery appears to be ,elimi-
mating many OF these malcon-
tents. They are becoming con-
vinced democracy Is in business
to stay.
distributed by the Associated Press.)
Evening star., 1949-12-04
Berlin Smuq
This Winter
By Richard K. O'MoIIey

B ER L I N.-West Berlin's
rugged citizens await the ap-
proach of winter with pardon
able smugness.
Last year they stubbornly
withstood a Russian blockade
that meant short supplies, little
fuel and constant worry.
Winter, 1850, looks like 1t will
be a breeze.
The Western Allies don't ,ex-
pect the Russians to institute
another blockade. at least in the
foreseeable future.
But If they did. the airlift for
food would begin within ~
hours and inside of 80 days big
cargo planes again would be
spewing coal at West Berlin
airports.
In addition, the Western
Allies have laid in a humping
backlog of supplies.
w. T. Babcock. deputy direc-
tor of Berlin, high commission
element, says there are $685.
600 tons of coal in reserve. This
is a five-month supply at full
use.
Last November, when all coal
came by airlift, there were only
1894, 900 tons in reserve-a 60
day supply at strict rationing.
There Is no regular ration
ing of fuel today. Last year
it was doled out over five
months in carefully conserved
amounts on the basis OF family
size.
Berliners who don't feel the
present supply is enough can
buy plenty of brown coal bril-
quettes on the open market.
The city government has set
out $50, 900 tons Of brown coal
for sale and also has begun
free distribution Of brown coal
briquettes to needy families.
New Power Plant
The food outlook Is comfort
able. There is a 68-day supply
of all foods, plus q 110-day
supply Of flour.
Last November there was
enough food on hand for a
month, and the Western Allies
watched the flying weather
with daily concern.
Germans. and Western ma
tionals. too, won't have to grope
through the gloom of power
rationing this winter.
When the Russians clamped
on their blockade, they pinched
of the power from plants in
Berlin's Soviet sector. Elec-
tricity was rationed. in stag
gered hours and by district.
Berlin's German wives often
had to do their baking at 8 am.
This year, even with a block
ade, the Western Allies could
supply power up to 80 per cent
of the total required. In the
blockade they limped along at
10 per cent Of normal.
This is the big difference:
Berlin West, big, new power
plant, came into service Decem-
Der /. AT peak 1t will supply
100000 kilowatts Of power
daily.
Because no power plant can.
be kept running continuously,
q standby unit is being set up
to take over when overhaul or
repairs are made to the main
unit.
Berlin West cost SO, 900 900
West marks (about $40, ,000,-
O00),, to build. OF this sum,
S., 900 900 West marks were
loan from the European CO.
operation Administration. The
rest was obtained from the
West Berlin city government
and Bewag, the company which
runs the plant. The new plant,
win give West Berlin four pow
or plants.
Distributed by the Asieciatsd Prsss)
Evening star., 1949-12-04
Polish Mission of Top Red
Strotegist Seems Ominous
Expected to Create Strong Unified Force Of
Soviet and East German Troops as
Well as Handle the Poles
By Constantine Brown

Soviet government has mufed the attng Of its sabe
Since there has demonstration OF Soviet
might possibly the vicinity Of Yugoslava
where reported without
hrmation.
spectacular in the countries
Evening star., 1949-12-04
Slim Chance for Draft Act
Renewal Before Elections
Political Sentiment Is Against Extension Of
SeIective Service System in Peocetime
Il. Even Though Military Wants 1t
by Gould Lincoln

secve Service Act Of ls4s commonly called the draft
Congress in the meantime
extend its put through the 80h Congreshat
criticized Congre-at behe President
national needed
istens required
The Lexington advertiser. [volume] (Lexington, Miss.) 1904-1985, 1949-04-28
Cord OF Thanks

We wish to express our appre-
citation and thanks to our many
friends and neighbors during the
recent sorrow of the passing of
our dear Husband and Father.
We also wish to thank DR.. Rosa
mond and the Southern Undertake
ing association for their wonderful
service.
We thank you, each one, for the
beautiful flowers and all the acts
of kindness rendered US. All these
memories viii live on with us for
ever.
May Gods richest blessings be
with each of you is our prayer.
MRS. B. E. MCBRIDE
AND FAMILY.
The Lexington advertiser. [volume] (Lexington, Miss.) 1904-1985, 1949-04-28
Holmes County Negro =

Continued from Page -
Bank, Lexington Implement Co,
Lexington Coca-Cola Bottling Co,
The Fincher Co., T. M. Williams
and Sons, Lexington Lumber Co,
Auto Parts and Sales CO., j. X.
Rhyme, Hollingsworth's, Miller's
5 and 10 Store, Hollywood Shoe
Shop, Henry Ice and Cold Stor-
age, Browns Department Store,
o. L. Ellison, Jitney jungle, Flow
ers Department Store, Holmes
County Bank and Trust Co., Gwln
Lail Co., Jordan Radio Co, Price
Cleaners, Herman Insurance
Agency, The Lewis Grocery Co,
Super Service Station, Century
Funeral Home, Marvel Cleaners
M. G. Catron, N. Schur, Weatners-
by Chevrolet Co., Peoples Drug
Store, City Market, w. l.. Ellis
and Son, Lexington Advertiser
Beale Street Theatre.
The Lexington advertiser. [volume] (Lexington, Miss.) 1904-1985, 1949-04-28
Card Of Thinks

We wish to express our sincere
thanks and appreciation to our
friends for their expression OF
sympathy and kindness extended
us during the illness and death
of our father Will Fritz.
We appreciate the untlrlng ef-
fort of DR.. Brumby, the consoling
tribute by Rev. Floyd and Rev.
Bragg, the many beautiful flowers
and kindness of Mr.. Gibson and
his staff of the Southern Funeral
home.
May Gods richest blessing rest
on each of you is u prayer.
The Fritz Children.
2-1tnp
The Lexington advertiser. [volume] (Lexington, Miss.) 1904-1985, 1949-04-28
Patients At The Hospital

Stewart Terry, Lexington
Mrs. Earl Mclean, Lexington
Mrs. W. E. Morris, Lexington
G.. L. Morton, Durant
Mrs. R. K. Farmer, Lexington
Neal brennan, Goodman
Mrs. Carl Hanson, Goodman
Mrs. J. w. Henderson and BABY
girl, Lexington
Mrs. Hilda B. Aldy, Durant
Mrs. Bell Mcdaniel, Lexington
colored
John Davis Winters, Salils
John Willie Winters, Sails
Matte B. Cade, Tchula
Willie Lee Epps, Tchula
Baby Girl Griffin, Lexington
Cordelia Horton, Tchula
Willie Ella Wright, Tchula
j. C. Cain, West
The Lexington advertiser. [volume] (Lexington, Miss.) 1904-1985, 1949-04-28
Card OF Thanks

We wish to express u appre-
citation for the kindness shown us
by our friends and neighbors dur
ing the recent illness and death OF
our beloved mother, Mrs. Rosa
Lee Spell. We also want to thank
Drs. Buck and Brumby for their
untiring efforts, and for the beau
tiful floral offerings.
May God bless each of you.
HER CHILDREN
2-1tnp
The Lexington advertiser. [volume] (Lexington, Miss.) 1904-1985, 1949-04-28

Mr.. and Mrs. j. H. Wilburn of
Memphis spent the week end in
Lexington. during which they
were entertained by Mrs. H. HI.
johnson with a coffee Saturday
afternoon, and by other friends.
The Lexington advertiser. [volume] (Lexington, Miss.) 1904-1985, 1949-04-28

Mr.. and Mrs. Marion Steele,
Lowrey Steele and daughter,
Frances Merle, of Greenville, ac-
companied Mrs. T. e. Steele for
the week end in Memphis. They
stayed at Chisca hotel.
The Lexington advertiser. [volume] (Lexington, Miss.) 1904-1985, 1949-04-28

FOR SALE - | Farmall tractor
in perfect condition, new motor,
overhauled from stem to stern
at the unbelievable low price
of $500 with new tires, new
disc. 3-raw m. busters. ACT
QUICK on this deal, Holmes
Tractor and Implement Com
pany. phone Al, Tchula, Miss.
2-1tnp
The Lexington advertiser. [volume] (Lexington, Miss.) 1904-1985, 1949-04-28
G NOTICES

THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI
To Ruby Mcbride Brown, whose
post office and street address is
unknown.
You are summoned to appear
before the Chancery Court of the
County of Holmes in said State on
the Fourth Monday of May A. D..
1949 to defend suit No. 8096 in said
Court of James L. Brown wherein
you are a defendant.
This the 9th day of April, A. D.,
1949.
(SEAL) PARHAM H. WILLIAMS.
Chancery Clerk. 2-4tnp
The Lexington advertiser. [volume] (Lexington, Miss.) 1904-1985, 1949-04-28
CLASSIFIED ADS
For Sale

A GOOD Allis Chalmers w. c.
tractor - just overhauled. New
.cultivators, n. busters, heavy
disc, READY TO GO. You can
make many cheap crops with
this tractor. We have it PRICED
RIGHT for QUICK SALEl
Terms. Holmes Tractor and I'm
plement Co., Tchula, phone Al.
2-1tnp
The Lexington advertiser. [volume] (Lexington, Miss.) 1904-1985, 1949-04-28

FOR SALE - Lot at END of An
drew St; also 100 by 200 foot
lot on Spring st. Mrs. Marcia
jackson, phone 35-R. 49-tfnp
The Lexington advertiser. [volume] (Lexington, Miss.) 1904-1985, 1949-04-28

FOR SALE - Five room house on
Williams ST., with hardwood
floors, attic fan and floor fur
mace. Call Jack Williams, Fri
DAYS and Saturdays, phone 152,
52-3tnp
The Lexington advertiser. [volume] (Lexington, Miss.) 1904-1985, 1949-04-28

FOR SALE - By owner, two
story seven room house, modern
bath, automatic water heater,
butane system, barn, servants
house and garage. Large lot
with garden. Mrs. w. H. Taylor,
West, Miss. Phone 187-W-l.
2-33-2tnp
The Lexington advertiser. [volume] (Lexington, Miss.) 1904-1985, 1949-04-28

FOR SALE -4-foot old style re-
frigerator in good condition.
Mrs. Mabel Russell, phone 1l9.
2-1tnp
The Lexington advertiser. [volume] (Lexington, Miss.) 1904-1985, 1949-04-28

FOR SALE - Ten registered pol
led Hereford bulls. $150-$300.
H. P. Watson, Jr., phone 126.
1-3tnp
The Lexington advertiser. [volume] (Lexington, Miss.) 1904-1985, 1949-04-28

FOR SALE-Coker pedigreed
Wild's cottonseed. Cotton sold for
50-51 cents. $3.50 bushel. Mrs.
tnez Roach.
39p 40tfnp
The Lexington advertiser. [volume] (Lexington, Miss.) 1904-1985, 1949-04-28

FOR SALE - Good, dry oak
stove wood. Cheap. Mrs. Mabel
Russell, phone 119. 2-1tnp
The Lexington advertiser. [volume] (Lexington, Miss.) 1904-1985, 1949-04-28

ATTIC FAN - One new 48 inch
Hunter attic fan, u HIP. GIN,
SI59.50. Lexington Lumber Co,
phone 400. 2-ltnp
The Lexington advertiser. [volume] (Lexington, Miss.) 1904-1985, 1949-04-28
For Rent

APARTMENT FOR RENT - $50
month, utilities paid. Call 1853
w, Mrs. J. c. Perry. 2-ltnp
The Lexington advertiser. [volume] (Lexington, Miss.) 1904-1985, 1949-04-28

FOR SALE - A good Farmall
F-20 tractor with m. buster, Gull
tivators, planters. $500. has just
been spent on the tractor. IN
PERFECT CONDITION. YOU
CAN HAVE 1T - ALL FOR
100000. We Wheel and Deal In
The Tractor Field. Holmes Trac-
tor and Implement Co, phone
Al, Tchula, Miss. 2-ltnp
The Lexington advertiser. [volume] (Lexington, Miss.) 1904-1985, 1949-04-28

FOR SALE - Good, used radios.
Jordan Radio Co. - 2-ttnp
The Lexington advertiser. [volume] (Lexington, Miss.) 1904-1985, 1949-04-28

FOR SALE - DPL Cottonseed
No. IA. j. T. Thomas, Cruger.
49-tfnp