Opinion ID: 1547000
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 15

Heading: Publications, Statements and Litigation.

Text: There can be no dispute that the Chamber furnished an exclusive market for its members nor that such market had for years had a monopoly of the terminal marketing of grain for a large territory which extended around Minneapolis and into several states other than Minnesota. The evidence is clear that it and its members combined and acted in concert in opposing the Equity, because they disapproved of its basic idea of patronage dividends, and the Exchange, because it was an attempt to establish a rival market. The evidence supports the findings as to misleading publications and statements and as to instigation of vexatious litigation. The conclusion that such actions constituted unfair methods of competition was a proper legal conclusion from such findings. It is contended that the entire controversy was precipitated by the Equity and the Exchange and their members who bitterly assailed the petitioners and compelled them to defend their market. This statement seems broadly true. Where a man or association of men are attacked, they have a legal right to give battle, but this must be done in a lawful way. It may be that the Equity and others sought to destroy the market built up by petitioners and it may be that, as charged, false and misleading propaganda was employed in such assault. The use of such means is not justifiable nor can its use, in turn, justify a return fire of like character. Respondents have a right to publish and speak the truth but they cannot legally go further no matter how great the provocation. It is contended that the objectionable publications ceased four years before the complaint issued and there is no intention to renew them, therefore, there was no basis for the order as to such. It may be that the immediate inciting cause for the publications has vanished or is inactive. However, this is not of itself sufficient to vacate that part of the order although it might be reason for refusing, without prejudice, an application for the enforcement thereof at this time.