Forging America: My Campaign Manager is Roosevelt

Chapter 256 - 129: Sherman Antitrust Law (Part 3)

"In the Strategic Logistics Unified Management Bill, we defined the Inland Port as a ’special public utility,’ thereby granting Morganfield a fifty-year exclusive operating right."

"But the plaintiff points out that a port isn’t like a water main network or a power grid; it doesn’t have the physical properties of a natural monopoly. In theory, countless docks could be built on the Allegheny and Ohio Rivers, allowing multiple companies to compete."

"By using an executive order to grant one company a monopoly, the Pittsburgh City Government is artificially eliminating competition, a direct violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act’s prohibition on the restraint of trade."

Ethan turned a page.

"Count Two: Unconstitutionality."

"They’re citing the due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution."

"The complaint alleges that the bidding threshold of ’must possess 500 acres of existing railway land’ is a tailor-made exclusionary clause."

"This deprives other potential investors of their property rights and freedom to conduct business, constituting de facto discrimination."

"Count Three: Overreach of Authority."

"They accuse the Pittsburgh City Government of abusing the police power granted to it by the state constitution."

"The City Government has the right to regulate the market for public safety and order, but it does not have the right to create market barriers for commercial interests."

"They argue that the franchise agreement you signed with Morganfield is, in essence, an illegal privatization of public power."

"Their conclusion: the agreement is void, the bill unconstitutional, and even..."

Ethan looked at Leo and spoke with difficulty.

"...it could even involve felony conspiracy at the federal level."

Silence fell over the campaign headquarters.

Bright sunshine streamed through the window, and the faint roar of machinery could be heard from the construction sites in the South District.

But in that moment, Leo felt the foundation beneath his feet begin to crumble.

His opponents had bypassed all the outer defenses and plunged a dagger straight into Leo’s heart.

That deal he made with Morganfield in exchange for five hundred million in funding and political support.

If these accusations held up, not only would the port project be immediately halted and the five hundred million dollars in bonds frozen, but Leo himself would face impeachment and prison.

The entire Pittsburgh revitalization plan would go up in smoke.

Leo looked at the complaint, at the glaring words "Sherman Antitrust Act" on it.

"Very clever," Leo commented calmly. "They’re trying to strangle me with procedural justice. If I were the man I was a few months ago, I might actually feel hopeless."

"But now?"

Leo’s fingers tapped lightly on the thick complaint.

"Don’t forget who I signed this agreement with."

"They’re accusing us of an illegal monopoly, of exclusionary clauses, but whose interests do these clauses serve? Morganfield’s."

"They want to suspend the project and disrupt Murphy’s campaign, but in doing so, they’ve also severed the lifeline to Morganfield’s expanding commercial empire."

"This is an indiscriminate attack."

Leo turned and looked at Ethan.

"Don’t panic, Ethan. This isn’t just our war."

"In the past, Morganfield could hide behind the scenes. He only had to make a phone call at the right moment to reap the rewards."

"But this time is different."

"This blow landed squarely on him. If we lose this lawsuit, his fifty-year franchise agreement will be worthless."

Leo walked back to his desk and picked up the phone.

"Since we sold our souls to the Demon, and now his house is on fire, he can’t expect me to put it out by myself, can he?"

Leo handed the receiver to Ethan.

"Call Morganfield."

"Tell him someone’s trying to pull the rug out from under him."

"This time, our ally is going to have to pull his weight."