COMBINATION (ML. eombinatio, from Lat. (-cm b inure, to combine, from cow-, together ± WO, two by two). in law, specifically the union of natural or artificial persons for the promotion of their business interests. When limited to this object. and kept free from fraud, violence, or like sinister methods, it does not fall under the ban of modern law. If it is resorted to, however, for the accomplishment of an unlawful end, it becomes a conspiracy (q.v.), and sub jects its promoters to civil actions for damages, as well as to criminal prosecution. Formerly combinations to raise or depress prices, as well as every form of combination in restraint of trade, were treated as conspiracies by English Whether combinations by laborers to raise wages were conspiracies at common law is a question upon which the highest authorities in England differ. If not at common law, they were criminal conspiracies under a series of statutes beginning with 23 Ed. Ill. in 1349, and closing with 40 Geo. III. c. 60, in IMO. A radical change in legislation on this topic in England began in 1,825. and at present combina
tions of workingmen in labor organizations (q.v.) and similar associations are sanctioned by law, both in Great Britain and the United States, pro vided they are not accompanied by fraudulent, violent, or menacing conduct, or by boycotting or similar unlawful practices. See CONSPIRACY; BOYCOTT; INTIMIDATION; TRADE UNION; STRIKE.
Combinations of skill and capital, within proper bounds, have always received legal recog nition; such as the combinations effected in a partnership, joint-stock associations, or corpora tions. At present the tendency to extend these combinations and to introduce new or modified forms is very marked. Trades unions (q.v.) among workingmen, and trusts (q.v.) among capitalists, may serve as illustrations. The legislation relating to these forms of combina tion, as well as their economic and political bear ings, will lie dealt with under the appropriate titles.