Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-01-17
HAS NO EFFECT HERE
Ottumwa People Are Scarcely Con-
cerned in Lineeed Oil Matters.
POSSIBILITY OF THE TRUSTS END
Des Moines News Discusses the Situa-
ton, Quoting an Ottumwa Man
Says 1t May Cost Guy Major His
Large Salaried Situation.

People of Ottumwa have certain
interest in the outcome of the affairs
of the American Linseed Oil COM
pany, for the reason that one of the
concerns abandoned plants is locat-
ed here, and for the further reason
that Guy Major, who formerly lived
here and who has relatives in Ottum-
wa, is president of the mammonth or
ganization. The Courier printed
telegram yesterday telling of the
courts decision in suit brought
against the company by the Heath &
Milligan Paint Co., which is to the eff
feet that the defendant company is
guilty of selling its goods at short
weight.
DeaAh Blow to Trust.
The Des Moines News sees in the
decision referred to, and the probable
complications which may arise, the
death blow to the concern. 1t ex-
plains as follows:
"A decision rendered in the ap-
pe.late court at Chicago yesterday af
ternoon for $12,012 in favor of Heath
& Milligan against the American Lin
seed Oil company mammoth trust,
will probably mean the death blow to
that institution under its present or
garlization, it's absorption by the
Standard Oil company, and the loss
to an Iowa man of fine job
Guy Major, formerly of Ottumwa,
later of Toledo, Ohio, where he was
twice elected mayor of the city and
mentioned for governor of the state.
was elected president of the Linsed
Oil fr1lSf or n sole Of. j =,
year and given $4,000 to remove
| from Toledo to New York. The reor-
ganization of the company which will
will probably be under the direction
OF the Standard Oil company, now
handling large percentage of it's
| output, will cost him his place.
Cause of the Suit.
The trust has set seven and one
half pounds as the weight of a gal
lon of linseed oil Mr.. Heath of the
| firm of Heath & Milligan, discovered
that the proper weight should be seen
and three quarter pounds, and
| brought suit for $12,012. The court
decided the trust weight amounted to
nothing less than short weight and
rendered judgment for the amount
/ prayed for with costs. This decision
| opens the way for an endless number
| of suits, which will, according to the
opinion of the local dealers. mean the
! death blow to the company.
Harry Peters, of Ottumwa, stat
ed yesterday that the amounts in
volved in the suits which in all
| probability will be brought
will aggregate millions of dollars
4 Some time ago preferred stock in the
4 company was rated on the stock ex
change at So, whereas now it is
worth but SO. Common stock closed
/ yesterday at rs. The Standard Oil
company has been handling a large
percentage of the output of the com
4 pany, and it will also be made 8
4 party to endless suits of small anc
large dealers. The Standard com
4 pany will then come onto the Ameri
can for payment, which will force the
stock down to practically nothing enc
then it will in all probability buy in
the assets of the company, and oper
1 ate the linseed oil business under its
own management.
4 "Officials of the Des Moines Lin
seed Oil company of this city this af
/ ternoon stated that the suit wa!
4 probably the result of liability in
Cured by the American compan.
when it purchased the assets and Ii
abilities of the National company.
was admitted that but ~. pounds was
4 sold for gallon, but that this was ;
part of each and every contract, ant
therefore the short weight argumen
ought to be ineffective, and the deci
sion of the appellate court is question
ed to this extent. The local factory
tho a member of the American, will
continue as if nothing had happene'
no matter what change is made in tn
head management"
Effect in Ottumwa.
The decision will have practicall
no immediate effect in Ottumwa, TO
the reason that the company's plan
is and has been closed for lon
time. 1t may result in sale of tn
property.
n
/