dead wagon
n.— «Harry Dolowich’s plans crystallized when Larry Fay hit the headlines in mid-1929.…About one hundred independent milk dealers paid thousands apiece for membership in the Milk Chain; in return Fay guaranteed to keep the price of milk high. Those who couldn’t afford the dues, or attempted to sell for less, found that wholesalers wouldn’t supply them, health inspectors would harass them, and their customers would receive visits from the “dead wagons.” These were association trucks that undersold recalcitrant dealers, causing retailers to drop their regular suppliers. After a few weeks of dead wagons, the holdouts usually had to shut their doors.» —“The Egg Cream Racket” by Andrew Coe Gastronomica Summer, 2004. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
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