People v. Farrell

The people review a judgment quashing an indictment which charges unlawful combination in restraint of trade and competition. Two counts were laid under the common law and two under the anti-trust statute, Act No. 255. Pub. Acts 1899, as amended by Act No. 60, Pub. Acts 1925 (3 Comp. Laws 1929, § 16647 et seq.). The people now withdraw three counts and elect to proceed on the second count only, which is laid under the statute. The court held the act unconstitutional, and otherwise did not pass upon the sufficiency of the second count.

Defendants abandon the position taken by the court, and now say the statute is unconstitutional because of the provision:

"That the provisions hereof shall be held cumulative of each other and of all other laws in any way affecting them now in force in this State." 3 Comp. Laws 1929, § 16655.

The argument is that the act of 1899 was thereby made supplemental and cumulative of a prior statute, Act No. 225, Pub. Acts 1889 (3 Comp. Laws 1929, § 16674 et seq.), which is unconstitutional. Connolly v. Union Sewer Pipe Co.,184 U.S. 540 (22 Sup. Ct. 431), and is tainted by its invalidity, Cityof Plattsmouth v. Murphy, 74 Neb. 749 (105 N.W. 293);Swanson v. Dolezal, 114 Neb. 540 (208 N.W. 639). In those cases the later acts were expressly made amendatory or supplemental to the earlier statutes by specific reference. Here the act of 1899 is wholly independent, needs no support of the act of 1889, and enforces none of its terms. Also the act of 1889, being invalid, was not "in force." The contention of unconstitutionality is not tenable.

Count 2 charges the offense in the words of the statute. The people properly concede that the "rule of reason" applies to it (People, ex rel. Attorney General, v. Detroit Asphalt Paving Co., 244 Mich. 119; StandardOil Co. v. United States, 221 U.S. 1 [31 Sup. Ct. 502, 34 L.R.A. (N.S.) 834, Ann. Cas. 1912D, 734]; Appalachian Coals, Inc., v. United States, 288 U.S. 344 [53 Sup. Ct. 471]), and that the indictment should set up facts from which it may be found that the restraint of trade and competition complained of was unreasonable. People v. Maki, 245 Mich. 455; United States v. Whiting, 212 Fed. 466. See Appalachian Coals, Inc., v.United States, supra.

The indictment is amendable (People v. Sims, 257 Mich. 478), and the people are entitled to amend. 3 Comp. Laws 1929, § 17290. Our Constitution does not require criminal prosecution to be by presentment of a grand jury, and the legislature may confer and regulate the power of the amendment of indictments.Welty v. Ward, 164 Ind. 457 (73 N.E. 889, 3 Ann. Cas. 556, and note).

Defendants suggest that if the indictment be amended it should be treated as an information and they be allowed an examination. The statute on amendments does not contemplate such procedure.

The judgment will be reversed, and the cause remanded for further proceedings under count two of the indictment.

McDONALD, C.J., and CLARK, POTTER, SHARPE, NORTH, WIEST, and BUTZEL, JJ., concurred.