Document: 347 U.S. 186 74 S.Ct. 452 98 L.Ed. 618 UNITED STATESv.EMPLOYING PLASTERERS' ASS'N OF CHICAGO et al. No. 440. Argued Feb. 3, 1954. Decided March 8, Mr. Charles H. Weston, Washington, D.C., for appellant. Thomas M. Thomas, Chicago, Ill., appellee Employing Plasterers Ass'n. Daniel D. Carmell, appellees Journeymen Plasterers' etc., Justice BLACK delivered the opinion of Court. 1 The United States brought this civil action in a Federal District Court charging defendants (appellees here) with having violated § Sherman Act which forbids combinations or conspiracies restraint interstate trade commerce.* Holding that complaint failed to state cause on relief could be granted under Act, dismissed. case is before us direct appeal, 15 U.S.C. 29, U.S.C.A. and only question we must decide whether Court's dismissal was error. We hold it was. 2 In summary Government's alleges: 3 Defendants are (1) Chicago association plastering contractors; (2) local labor union plasterers their apprentices; (3) union's president. These contractors members employed by them do approximately 60% contracting business area Illinois. Materials used plastering, such as gypsum, lath, cement, lime, furnished contractors. Substantial quantities material produced other states, bought Illinois building materials dealers shipped into Illinois, sometimes going directly place job sites use arrangements dealers. practical effect all continuous almost uninterrupted flow from out-of-state origins these Restraint disruption work thus necessarily affects adversely. Since 1938 have acted concert suppress competition among contractors, prevent doing any bar entry new without approval private examining board set up union. has been an unlawful unreasonable commerce industry. 4 did not foregoing factual allegations showed combination restrain But court considered 'wholly charge monopoly,' reached Act. And held there no allegation fact powerful restraints had sufficiently adverse At point disagree. plainly charged several times commerce. Whether charges called 'allegations fact' 'mere conclusions pleader,' they taken account deciding Government entitled its tried. 5 impressed argument possibly apply here because buying, selling movement ended became effective. Where ends begins always easy decisive cases. See Mandeville Island Farms v. American Crystal Sugar Co., 334 219, 232, 68 996, 1004, 92 1328. However may be, alleged continuously since group people were large extent able dictate who buy reach through if at all. Under circumstances goes too far say produce enough evidence show caused burdens free That wholly can effects condemned longer open question. See, e.g., Women's Sportswear Manufacturers Ass'n, 336 460, 464, 69 714, 93 805. 6 long detailed view modern practice looking simplicity reasonable brevity pleading. It does little. includes every essential violation where bona fide filed element necessary recover, failure out evidential facts seldom justified. If party needs more facts, right call Rule 12(e) Rules Civil Procedure, 28 time claim frivolous expensive full dress trial avoided invoking judgment procedure 56. 7 error dismiss action. 8 This leaves separate contention immune prosecution 20 Clayton 29 52. merit show, true, president combined them. Allen Bradley Co. Local Union 325 797, 65 1533, 89 1939. 9 Reversed. 10 MINTON, whom DOUGLAS joins, dissenting. 11 That, accepting pleadings §§ 1—7, note, applies, depends upon my opinion, activities complained intrastate, commerce, any, so indirect, remote inconsequential foreign intent purpose conspire 12 There interference when plaster lath site, come first suppliers rest warehouses afterwards order job, most transactions handled, job. construction incorporation therein purely transactions. 13 'Nor states make part commerce.' Anderson Shipowners' 272 359, 364, 47 125, 126, 71 298. 14 contend contends appellees' acts after relying cases National Labor Relations Board Denver Building & Const. Trades Council, 341 675, 943, 95 1284, Walling Jacksonville Paper 317 564, 63 332, 87 460. those arose different statutes, sweep broader than declares illegal contracts, 'in States.' Council Management 151 seq., provides: 'Sec. 10. (a) empowered, hereinafter provided, person engaging unfair (listed section 8) affecting * *' 61 Stat. 146, 160(a), 160(a). 16 Section defines 'affecting commerce' follows: 17 '(7) term means burdening obstructing led tending lead dispute 138, 152(7), 152(7). 18 Fair Standards 201 applicable 'employees (are) engaged production goods *.' 52 1062, 206, 206. Furthermore, dealt took stream Compare Higgins Carr Bros. 572, 337, 468. instant cases, stops site. 19 Insofar complaints concerned, essentially conspiring divide lathing themselves, limiting number classes persons become reducing primarily control over engage either members. related permitted construction. establish beginning end course flow, anything done influence whence go, price. To sure, contain bald statements However, conclusional add nothing conceal forth showing substantial so. What constitute jurisdiction remotely indirectly affect consistently Apex Hosiery Leader, 310 469, 495, 60 982, 993, 84 1311; Levering Garrigues Morrin, 289 103, 107, 53 549, 551, 77 1062. Industrial Ass'n San Francisco States, 268 64, 45 403, 849, involving offensive case, suppliers, force 'open shop,' required builders secure permits certain builders' exchange, refusing maintain shop. Some came handled materials, plumbers' supplies, altogether sources. Court, commenting 'established general facts' plan, said: 21 'Interference neither desired nor intended. On contrary, desire intention avoid interference, and, end, selection subject permit system substantially confined California productions. thing aimed sought attained sale shipment commodities, but matter, namely, regulation operations within limited area, domination unions. Interstate commerce—indeed description—was object attack, 'for sake specific courses conduct adopted.' Swift 196 375, 397, 25 276, 279, 49 518. accompanied creation of, briefly forth, apart evidence, 'ample supply motive conspiracy.' Mine Workers Coronado Coal 259 344, 411, 42 570, 583, 66 975.' Supra, page 77, 406. 22 language prophetic, further 23 'But delivery representative dealer closing incident movement, authority federal government clause Constitution. next result independent arrangements.' 79, 407. 24 Although interfere supplies 'It was, however, design appellants, incidental accomplishment purpose. below laid especial stress manufactured outside state, though included system, prevented entering process purchase one plumber observing 'American plan.' say, effect, contractor, being unable consequently go would need plumbing them, extent, diminished. ignores all-important freedom manufacturer sell ship contractor buy. went take away latter's opportunity use, therefore, his incentive purchase. 26 'The conspiracy spent intended situation mining, manufacturing growing crops—and if, resulting diminution commercial demand, curtailed generally instances fortuitous consequence indirect fall Act.' 80, 82, 407, 408. 27 As I see it, happens here. ended. incidental, indirect. spends itself incident. combine compel shop drastic measures, Association then surely workers promote closed agreement nature. followed companies, steel bridges, operated shops. unions strike techniques companies injunction dismissed 'Accepting bill value, results sole aim halt compelling employment labor, transit Use suppression thereof pursuit aim. conspiracy. Prevention sense adopted restraint. exclusively aim, gives character thereby curtailed, remote, anti-trust acts, court, prior filing present bill, already held. 551. 30 obtain objective interfering certainly bargain agree employers same result. also Leather Workers' International Herkert Meisel Trunk 265 457, 44 623, 1104, Frankfort Distilleries, 324 293, 297, 661, 663, 664, 951, discussed above distinguished. 31 relied heavily decision, Distilleries recognized distinct line rely distinguishable holding therein. 234, 1005. 32 440, discouraged slowdowns, fines intimidation, means. Assume tactics effective keep outstate seeking contracts area. Contracting even intend bring men outstate, bringing State another play baseball Toolson New York Yankees, 346 356, 78; Baseball Club Baltimore League Professional Clubs, 200, 208, 465, 898. interruption arises it. involved here, therefore involved. 33 affirm. 209, amended 50 693, 1, relevant reads: 'Every contract, form trust otherwise, conspiracy, nations, declared act, 2, pressed Cf. Standard Oil 337 314, 1051, 1371.

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