Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1898-02-11
LAWS FOR TRUSTS.

We have not been among the number
of those who have been Over-annoyed
because of trusts, recognizing that they,
like other methods of business, would of
necessity fall under the control of bust
ness principles. But we also realized
that, as in all other business, there might
have to be certain laws made, if not al
ready existing and, if existing. enforc-
ed, to regulate their control, and pre-
vent unlawful and criminal methods of
action.
The following facts, uncovered by the
state senate investigation of trusts In
Ohio, together with many other similar
ones that from time to time have been
disclosed in different parts of the coun-
try connected with different trusts, hut
especially with this Standard Oil trust,
demonstrate the necessity of such laws.
Espionage of the kind mentioned in
these disclosures is blackmailing and
bribery, pure and simple, and as such
should be severely punished and made
impos sible. No such methods should
be permitted with trusts any more than
in other business, and any laws neces-
sary to prevent it should be at once pass
ed by all our state legislatures and rig
orously enforced. We quote from a
Cleveland press despatch of Feb. ::
The state senate trust investig Ating com.
mittee again convened here at the Forest
City House this afternoon to examine into
the Standard Oil, coopers' and several other
trusts. The Standard Oil people were all
absent from the city when the committee
was IN session last week, and subpUnas could
not be served upon them. 1t is understood
today, however. that the sheriff subsequently
succeeded in serving the papers upon several
officials of the company.
number of witnesses were examined,
but little of value was learned except as re-
CARDS the oil trust. John Teage, of the oil
refining firm of Scofeld, Shurmer & Teagle,
which for years has been lighting the Stand
ard Oil company, proved an interesting wit
ness. He declared that the Standard was
constantly and systematically attempting to
iniure his firm. lie said the Standard agents
endeaVored to ascertain where the statesmen
of his firm obtained orders for Oil The
agents would go to those intending purchas
ers and offer to cat the price If the oil was
bought of the standard, and threaten in case
this was not done to sell to every other deal
er in the same towns so cheapy that the
them. Mr.. Teagle showed letters from
toners in support of thu Sc statements. He
then briefly told of the suit which his firm
won against the Lake shore railroad in 1854
for discriminating In freight rates on oil
against Scofeld, Shurmer Il Teagle I'm favor
of the Standard Oil company
Mr. Teagle, who was under oath, then testi-
fed that the Standard had attempted through
a middleman TO bride the book keeper of his
firm. The book keeper, he stated. was Otler-
ed $50 per month to give cor stant infoIma-
ton regarding the shipments, prices and cost
of manufacturing of Schofeld Shurmer Il
Teagle. Mr.. Teagle testified that the book
keeper requested time in which to consider
the matter took $25 which the agent tender
ed as pay in advance and then laid the whole
transaction before his employers. The wit.
ness said that he and his partner. Mr.. SEQ
field took the S25, and going to the Office of f.
b. Squire, the secretary of the Ohio corpora.
ton of the Stan lard oil trust, laid the money
on his desk ana told him that they always
stood ready to give him any Information
which it was proper for hlm to know about
the affairs of their firm.