Opinion ID: 1547000
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 16

Heading: Boycott

Text: Also, the evidence supports the findings of a boycott by the members of the Chamber in refusing to deal with the Equity or its stockholders or with the Exchange or its members. Such conduct is in violation of the act where, as here, it is the result of concerted action and for the purpose of hindering competition in interstate commerce. The evidence clearly establishes that the Exchange is not really a market and the respondents are not, of course, required to regard it as such. But the Equity and its stockholders are producers, shippers or handlers of grain and any concert of action by respondents to treat it or them any differently than other nonmembers of the Chamber are treated is unfair, subject to the order of the Commission, covered thereby and is sustained. The Chamber issued two circulars (No. 405 and No. 634) each of which contained resolutions passed by the board of directors thereof on October 8, 1912, and January 11, 1916, respectively. The gist of such resolutions is as follows: That members of the Chamber of Commerce are hereby forbidden to act in any manner as the agent or representative of any individuals, firms or corporations, in the cities of Minneapolis, St. Paul, or elsewhere, not members of the Chamber of Commerce, who are soliciting shipments of grain from the farmers or country shippers in the manner above mentioned, or through any scheme, artifice, or device, by which this Association is falsely represented, either in its dealings or in the right which the shippers get with respect thereto, or at all, unless the person so soliciting such shipment can show a written statement of the shipper to the effect that he realizes that the person receiving such shipment is not a member of the Chamber and cannot get advantages out of the Chamber which he could not himself get. While these resolutions are sufficiently fair in their expressions, yet the purpose thereof is clear when the situation then prevailing is considered. That purpose was so to hamper and obstruct dealings between members of the Chamber and the Equity or its stockholders as practically to prevent such. As construed and enforced, the resolutions would have effected such purpose. The Commission was justified in concluding that such resolutions were an effective boycott and, as such, properly to be forbidden.