The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-03-01
THE TRUST INQUIRY.
Archbold's Scant Information About the
Standard Oil Company and its Methods.

NEW YORK Feb. 29.-Johu d. Archbold, one
of the trustees of the Standard Oil Company.
was recalled to the stand when the session of
the trust Investigating committee began this
morning. He would not admit that the Stand
ard Oil Company had, before the formation of
the trust. obtained rebates from the New York
Central, the Erie and the Pennsylvania rail
roads, although he was examined by Colonel
Bliss from a report of a legislative committee.
He said he did not know that the company had
been allowed a rebate of 10 per cent.
on all traffic. in addition to getting
the lowest rates to other consignees.
He did not know what the agreement between
the roads as to the distribution of the traffic had
been. He knew there was such arrange
ment, but could not say that 63 per cent. of the
oil sent to New York was to 60 over these lines.
26 per cent to the Pennsylvania. and IL per
cent. to the Baltimore e. Ohio. He admitted
that the board of nine trustees of the Standard
Oil Trust had appointed what is known as .
proxy committee u consisting of Trustees Arch
bold Pratt and 81. III. Flagler. who have the
power to appoint officers and directors of the
different companies controlled by the trustees
OF the Trust.
General Pryor demanded the report of the
committee.
Mr. Choate could not see what light could be
shed by the report.
Chairman Arnold said that the subcommittee
would examine them, and Mr.. Choate agreed.
Oil-cioth Association, further explained the in
ternal affairs of that trust. The manufacturers
and middlemen had agreed upon certain buying
and selling prices. and upon rebates The wit
ness said that since the organization of the
trust. two years ago, the price of such oil-cloth
had riser 10 or 10 per cent. He testified that
similar trust exists in the sand paper trade.
The Wall paper Trust, which started in 1879,
with thirteen members, recently became de-
fuuct. Mr.. Fowler also spoke of a number of
other trusts, among them those of the cartridge
and general ammunition trade.
The Master Stone-cutters Association was Ia
ken up. and it's president, Mr.. Gill, put in the
witness char. 1t is trust by the agreement
of which stone-cJtters cannot buy except from
the ouarrymen in the trust, and the latter
only sell to cutters.
Jacob Eschelman said he and others had
opened a quarry in 1856, but they had refused
to enter the trust. and had been driven out of
the cuisines.
W. S. Taylor then proved the existence of
upholstery-felt trust by producing its agreement
John E. Parsons ssaid meeting of the trus-
tees of the sugar trust had been held this morn
ing, at which it had been decided to lay the
trust agreement before the committee, with the
proviso that the distribution of stocks shown
IN Il should not be made public.
Colonel Bliss read list of trusts that the
COMMITTEES had been unable to investigate. 1t
includes lead trust. lead-pencil trust, cart
ridges and shells, watches and watch cases,
pets, nails, undertakers' supplies, coffee, brew
ers cordage, planes, silver plate, plated ware,
steel rails and the distinguishing trust
The committee will meet in Albany to NOR