U.S. Department
of Justice
Frito-Lay Investigations : 06/11/1996b: Correspondence, Fax Cover Sheet
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 | U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE United States Attorney | Nina File | |||
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June 11, 1996 | |||||
| Mr. Roger Fones, Antitrust Division Re: [REDACTED TEXT (b7D)] Dear Mr. Fones: The memorandum that was faxed to you yesterday gives you a broad outline of what [REDACTED TEXT (b7D)] has knowledge of concerning the Frito Lay situation. What I failed to mention in the memorandum is that [REDACTED TEXT (b7D)] has contacts and names and numbers throughout the country regarding the experiences of other distributors with Eagle Snacks. He advised that he felt there were a number of people who he has talked with who are unwilling to volunteer their experiences, but if the right questions were asked of these people, they would respond. [REDACTED TEXT (b7D)] I would reguest that you please copy me any correspondance with him, or otherwise let me know of your followup. Thank you for your attention to this matter,
WCG\ks FRITO-LAY/EAGLE 60-2096-0002
United States Department of Justice
The information contained in this facsimile is government privileged and confidential information intended only for the use of the addressee(s) listed on this coversheet. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient(s), you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of the telecopy is strictly prohibited. If you have received this facsimile in error, please immediately notify the sender at the telephone number listed on this coversheet and the original facsimile must be returned via the United States Postal Service to the address above. Thank you. FAX COVER SHEET DATE: May 31, 1996 TO: [REDACTED TEXT (b7D)] of: [REDACTED TEXT (b7D)] Fax Number: [REDACTED TEXT (b7D)] FROM: Jill Ptacek Phone Number: (202) 307-6607 Pages Sent (including this sheet): 3 Remarks: Is there some driving reason for Frito Lay to be doing the things I believe them to be doing? Yes! It is quite simple. In my opinion, it is corporate paranoia and the fear that Frito Lay experienced while fighting off the challenge of Eagle Snacks and the great regional snack companies. The giant fears the prospect of some other company winning over consumers by making a superior product, packaging it better, distributing it effectively, marketing it flawlessly, and then tracking it effectively as it grows in consumer acceptance. Frito Lay is using these methods to eliminate the possibility of a good competitor winning the consumer fairly in the marketplace. It is the responsibility of government to insure that ethics and legal business principles are maintained by all companies doing business in this country. Government must see that companies can compete freely and fairly in the effort to gain a wider consumer acceptance. Allowing large companies to run roughshod over the competition only threatens the very existence of a free enterprise economic system in this country. Eventually the consumer is the loser. This is a lot like having a major basketball power build the arena wherein the competition takes place, only to allow the major power the right to freeze out its' competition by charging an unaffordable "fee to play". This insures an undefeated and unchallenged position for the major power, and ultimately leads to the demise of the sport for lack of interest. Without the challenge of competition, there is no prospect for improvement of the game. To conclude, when large companies are permitted to target their marketing programs at the competition instead of the consumer, then it should be obvious that the large company has as its' ultimate goal, the complete monopolization of the category of consumer goods it participates in. This is restraint of trade. It is illegal. Please examine the Snack Food Industry and the Retailers so that you can discover those "dirty little secrets" that are running good companies out of business and endangering the livelihoods of many families in this industry. Very truly yours, ENCLOSURES cc:[REDACTED TEXT (b7c), (b7D)] |