The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-05-17
ON TRUSTS.
Attorney General of Ohio Takes a Turn
at Standard OIL


Washington, May 16.-Attorney Cen
eral Frank S. Monnett of Ohio was be-
fore the industrial commission to-day
as witness IN the trust investigation.
His testimony related almost eXclu-
sively to the Standard Oil trust, against
which he has been proceeding in his
official capacity in Ohio. After detail
ing the particulars of the suits against
the Standard Oil company brought on
behalf of the state of Ohio, Mr.. Mon
nett said the companies comprising
the trust were so distributed as to
control all the operations pertaining to
the production delivery and transpor-
tation of oil in Ohio. even in its own
telegraph system. Mr.. Monnett COM
and railroad rates in favor of the
Standard companies tank lines, saying
that the latter was equal to 400 per
cent. against the ordinary citizen.
Mr., Monnett gave the figures show
ing that the capitalization of the COM
panies comprising the trust amount
ed in the aggregate to $102, 232,000. the
trust could make it's dividends what
ever it desired, as it controlled COM
pletely the retail price of OIL
At the afternoon session at the COM
mission Mr. Monnett said in response
to a question from Commissioner Ken
nedy, that he did not wish to enter
upon a discussion of the charge that
the Standard Oil company had been
guilty of attempts Of bribery to pre-
vent judicial investigation, as that
matter was at the present time under
investigation by the Ohio supreme
court These proceedings doubtless
would bring out all the facts, and later
he would supply the data to the com
mission. He would, however. testify
n q
cured the service of railroad agents
all over the country to report upon the
movements of their rivals. and he
knew of one instance in which the
clerk of rival concern had been en-
ployed to supply the details of his en-
ployers to the Standard company. Also
the company had its "buzzards" every
where. These were appointed to fol-
low the wagons Of rivals and secure
data upon which the company could
operate. When rivals were driven out
of a field by reducing rates the prices
Immediately went up.
Mr.. Monnett said he understood the
Standard company controlled from 80
to 81 per cent. of the crude oil produc-
ed. but as the company controlled the
means it was not necessary that it
should take it out of the rock. The COM
pany was thus independent of well
owners. He did not agree with the
statement that the Standard company
was entitled to credit for the reduc
ton of the prices of oil. and believed
this reduction to be due entirely to
other agencies.
Referring to the necessity of control
ling the transportation agencies as the
available remedy for the evils of
which he complained, Mr.. Monnett said
that no course would be too severe if
nothing else would produce the desired
result. The states had the remedy of
depriving the railroad companies of
their charters and this should be re-
sorted to if they failed to treat all
equally fair. In conclusion, Mr.. Mon
nett said suits had been brought in
the Ohio courts against the brewers.
the tobacco and tin plate trusts, and
also against the Central Traffic asso-
citation.
There will be no more witnesses be-
fore the commission until next Fri
day.