The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-09-09
DEFENSE OF STANDARD OIL.
VICE PRESIDENT ARCHIBALD MADE
STRONG STATEMENTS.

WINS on the stand Seven Hours, ana
Characterized the Testimony OF
Some Witnesses ns FaIse-SaId Two
Members of the Industrial Com
mission Admitted They Belonged
10 Trusts-Charnctcrized Mons
ett's Course as VIndictive.
Washington, Sept. Sat to-days ses-
sion of the industrial commission an anI-
mated controversy occurred between
Chairman Phillips, of the commission and
Mr.. j, d. Archibald vice-pres!dent of the
Standard Oil Company.
Mr. Archibald was on the stand replying
to statements made by J. w. Lee, of ths
United Pipe Line and other Independents
companies. Referring to Mr.. Lees state-
ment that the Standard oil Company had
made advances TO the United Pipe Line
Company with the view of buying It out,
MIR. Archibald said:
ANY approaches la that line have come
from the other side" and he proceeded to
say that such advances had been made
not only by Lee, but by others connected
with the Independent lines, including Mr..
Phillips.
1--WE have declined their offers" he said,
because we consider them Illegal, and,
furthermore, because of our lack of faltn
in the men from whom the proposition
came. having had previous experience with
them"
In reply TO Mr.. Phillips. he said he did
not claim that the propositions were un-
fair or unjust but Illegal
a
ment at this point, but was cut off by
the commission. on the ground that he
could at any time, take the stand In his
own behalf
some Harsh Language.
This especial Incident closed here. Mr..
Archibald several times used the express
sion, referring TO Mr.. Lee, who was pres-
ent In the commissions room, "the state-
ment Is false and you know it," MIR Liv-
ingston at last objected TO the form OF
expression.
MIR. Archibald was on the stand for seven
hours, closing his statement at 5 o'clock.
During this time he replied not only to tho
claims made by Mr.. Lee but also to those
made by Attorney General Monet of
Ohio, Mr.. Westgate OF Titusville, MIR.
Lockwood of Zelonople. His language for
the most part was vigorous. He characters
lied many of the statements made by The
Witnesses as untrue and referred to the
Wltne sses themss Ives In anything but COM
| p'imentary terms. He SAD that MIR. Lee
and Mr.. Philips Of the commission, had
both confessed that they were members
| of a trust.
His Reply 10 Monett.
Replying to Attorney General Monett.
| Mr.. Archibald expressed the opinion that
his criticisms and persecution came with
bad grace from an official of state In
which the Stanard company was spending
| 50, go COO per year in wages, and he char
acterized his course-an 'vindictve." lie
said the company was determined to force
Mr.. Monett to reveal the whole truth con-
cerning his allegations that the company
had offered him a bribe OF 100000.
In reply to Mr. Lockwood. Mr.. Arch
| bald dealt at length with the Matthews
| and Rice case which Mr.. lockwood had
instanced 10 show, as he claimed, that
| the Standard company controlled the
courts. Mr. Archibald claimed In effect
that these suits had been brought to COM
| pei purchase. lie asserted that IN the Rice
case Rice had tried to induce him to PUT
! his plant at Marietta, o. for 100000, when
1t was not worth $4,000, and had agreed
| TO see that prosecution In certain cases
/ was stopped in case the deal should be
made, claiming he had sufficient influence
| to accomplish this result He expressed
| the opinion that Rice was employed as an
agitator by the enemies of the Standard
company.
Mr.. Rice was present in the court room
and Il is understood will reply later.
1