Salt Lake Herald | 1897-12-11 | Page 4 | To Cinch Coal Dealers

I TO CINCH COAL DEALERS I Federal Proceedings Against California Cali-fornia Combine Washington Dec 10The attorney general today directed United States Attorney Foote at San Francisco to file a bill in equity against the coal dealers of California for violation of the antitrust law of 1S90 I is said the association is composed of retail dealers of Sn Francisco and has for its object the control of the coal business The constitution and laws which have been under examination exam-ination for some time in the department depart-ment of justice are said to disclose the fact that members are bound under severe he am f Uad rl yore penalties not ta sell coal at a less J price than is fixed by the association and otherwise to observe all o its rules Wholesale dealers in Washington Washing-ton Oregon and British Cplumbla are said to have entered into an agreement agree-ment with the association under which any violation of the rules including the sale of coal under card rates reported re-ported to them would b punished by an increase in the wholesale rate to such offenders of S3 u ton or a refusal to sell to them except at the prices charged consumers There are said to be other considerations considera-tions imposed upon members which it is alleged clearly brings the association associa-tion within the provisions of the law against associations or combinations formed wih the view of restraint of trade or commerce