[Federal Register: October 31, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 210)]
[Notices]
[Page 61679-61680]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr31oc07-115]
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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Antitrust Division
Proposed Termination of Judgment
Notice is hereby given that defendant Hilton Hotels Corp.
(``Hilton'') and Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide Inc.
(``Starwood''), a successor in interest to both defendant ITT Sheraton
Corporation of America (``Sheraton'')
[[Page 61680]]
and defendant Western International Hotel Corporation (``Westin''),
have filed a motion to terminate the Partial Final Judgment entered in
United States v. Greater Portland Convention Association, Inc., et al.,
Civil No. 70-310, 1971 Trade Cas. (CCH) ]73,731 (D.Or. 1971) on
November 29, 1971 (``Partial Final Judgment'') and the Final Judgment
entered in United States v. Greater Portland Convention Association,
Inc., et al., Civil No. 70-310, 1973 Trade Cas. (CCH) ]74,614 (D.Or.
1973) on September 14, 1973 (``Final Judgment''). Notice is also hereby
given that the Antitrust Division of the United States Department of
Justice (``the Department''), in a stipulation also filed with the
Court, has tentatively consented to termination of the Partial Final
Judgment and the Final Judgment, but has reserved the right to withdraw
its consent pending receipt of public comments.
On May 12, 1970, the United States filed a complaint alleging the
defendants had conspired to restrain trade and commerce in the
distribution and sale of hotel supplies. Essentially, the complaint
charged the defendants with agreeing (i) to assess an amount of money
fixed by the hotels to be paid to GPCA as contributions by hotel
suppliers, (ii) to give preference in the purchase of hotel supplies to
any hotel supplier who did so contribute, and (iii) to curtail
purchases from any hotel supplier who failed or refused to contribute
money to the GPCA.
Prior to trial, four of the five defendants; Hilton, GPCA, ITT
Sheraton, and Cosmopolitan Investment Inc., settled the charges by
accepting entry of the Partial Final Judgment on November 29, 1971. The
fifth hotel defendant, Westin, was tried by jury from November 30-
December 4, 1970. The jury found that Westin had violated Sec. 1 of
the Sherman Act, and Westin appealed this decision to the Ninth
Circuit. United States v. Hilton Hotels Corporation., et al. 467 F.2d
1000 (9th Cir. 1972) cert. denied, 93 S.Ct. 938 (1973). On September
26, 1972, the Ninth Circuit affirmed. Westin entered into the Final
Judgment on September 14, 1973.
The Department has filed with the Court a memorandum setting forth
the reasons why the United States believes that termination of the
Partial Final Judgment would serve the public interest. Copies of the
motion to terminate, the stipulation containing the United States'
tentative consent, the United States' memorandum, and all further
papers filed with the Court in connection with the motion to terminate
will be available for inspection at the Antitrust Documents Group,
Antitrust Division, Room 215, 325 7th Street, NW., Washington, DC
20004, on the Web site http://www.usdoj.gov/atr, and at the Office of the
Clerk of the United States District Court for the District of Oregon.
Copies of these materials may be obtained from the Antitrust Division
upon request and payment of the copying fee set by the Department of
Justice regulations.
Interested persons may submit comments regarding the proposed
termination of the Partial Final Judgment and the Final Judgment to the
United States. Such comments must be received by the Antitrust Division
within sixty (60) days and will be filed with the Court by the United
States. Comments should be addressed to John R. Read, Chief, Litigation
III Section, Antitrust Division, U.S. Department of Justice, 325 7th
Street, NW., Suite 300, Washington, DC 20530, (202) 307-0468.
J. Robert Kramer II,
Director of Operations.
[FR Doc. 07-5390 Filed 10-30-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410-11-M