Jasper County Democrat, Volume 5, Number 7, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 May 1902 — TIES UP BEEF TRUST. [ARTICLE]

TIES UP BEEF TRUST.

FEDERAL COURT ENJOINS PACKERS FROM COMBINING. (_ Meat Trust Made Subject of Temporary Order Against Conspiracy to Control Prices—Defendants Present No Proof to Offset Evidence Against Them. The first blow against the big packing houses charged with maintaining a meat trust was struck in the United States Circuit Court at Chicago Tuesday afternoon. Judge Peter S. Grosscnp, nfter a hearing, granted the motion of the United States for a temporary injunction restraining the defendant packers from further operations under the alleged illegal agreements “in restraint of trade and commerce” complained of in the bill for an injunction. There was no resistance on the part of the defendants to the granting of the motion. John S. Miller, as their general counsel, consented to the entering of the order as prayed by the government. At the same time Mr. Miller stated the position the packers would take in the case. In effect the statement amounts to a denial of the allegations of the government and a demand for a full and complete hearing of the case later, in accordance with the practice of the Unit- i ed States courts. Evidence which is expected to play a prominent part in the prosecution of the cases was disclosed in the affidavit of D. AY. Meredith,' a former employe of Armour & Co. and Swift & Co. Meredith gives the details of alleged meetings of the packers’ Eastern pgents to regulate prices, apportion territory, and take other steps to prevent unprofitable competition. Mr. Meredith charges that, to force up prices, tile shipment of cattle to the East was checked at different times. The former employe also gives the details of the alleged “blacklist" maintained by the packers, and declares that when a company was fined for violation of agreement that.the employe at fault was compelled to pay the fine or be discharged. JJnce discharged, the affidavit alleges, the man found it impossible to secure employment from any of the “big six." Says They Are Not Guilty. In consenting to the granting of the restraining order the counsel for the defendants specifically stated that in view of the fact the defendants denied all the charges against them they could not be harmed by an order intended to prevent operations of which they had not been guilty and which they did not contemplate. Thereupon, after an argument between the opposing counsel over the wording of the restraining order. Judge Grosseup himself dictated an order acceptable to ail and it was entered of record in the court. The temporary injunction is now in full force and effect. In case of a violation of any of the terms of the order the defendants would be subject to contempt proceedings, punishable by a fine or by imprisonment or both in the discretion ot the court. Iu the regular course of practice the defendants have until July 7 to enter their appearance and until Aug. 4 to file an answer, demurrer, or plea. Unless the defense should move a dissolution of the restraining order no developments are expeeted in the case until that time. That the defendants will seek to interpose a legal defense to the government's suit is regarded as assured as a result of the preliminary hearing. That is the opinion of Solicitor General J. K. Richards and United States Attorney S. H. Bethea and others interested iu the case.