Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-23
Standard Oil to the Bari

II thee was ever monopoly. trust,
subject to the statutes and proper object
OF federal prosecution for restraining trade
and crushing competition. IL Is the Standard
Oil Company. Yet for years 1t has evaded
or escaped trial and punishment Nobody
seemed to think 1t possible to reach 1t with
the arm OF the law. But OF late new force
has been at work in our affairs, cour-
ageous intrepid. Arranging spirit. Presi-
dent Roosevelt has an Idea, somewhat old
fashioned. perhaps, but nevertheless logical.
that laws are made 10 be enforced. and ne
has proceeded to ascertain during the years
OF his administration whether 1t Is possible
to apply the statutes to the big trusts He
has had no doubt of their law breaking. He
has shared with the public the view that
they are contemptuous of the judicial pow
er, and he has gone after them so sharply
that they are very badly worried The beef
trust has been brought to Its knees The
railroad corporations have been given
dose OF regulatory legislation. just about to
be COMPLETED.
Now comes the turn of the worst Of the
big combinations. the wealthiest. the most
powerful the most defiant OF public optn-
ION the most dangerous. Standard Oil. The
President has directed his Attorney an
eraI TO proceed vigorously against this 81
santic trust. Mr.. Moody Is well skilled in
his work. He knows the size Of the task
before him and he has a correct measure
OF the obstacles the oil monopoly and all
its allied interests will throw In his way.
But he has that which the oil trust lacks,
public sympathy, which Will cheer him in
his work and he unquestionably has the
law on his side. 1t should not be difficult
hat tba tox 10 vie
lated
Already in certain preliminary hearings
and ASSOCIATED proceedings evidence has
been adduced to demonstrate the Illegal
character of the Standard OIL Company. it's
ownership OF subsidiary companies, Its pre-
tense Of competition under other names. it's
absolute control OF the refining business
and the impossibility OF competition con-
tnuinE long after IL turns its forces against
a rival. Its holdings reach far and wide
1t touches here the railroad lines. there the
steamboat lines, in another direction the
metal mines. and from all these ramify
countless connections that give the Stand
ard Oil Company a yeritable and sinister
likeness to an octopus, threading it's arms
in all directions and clutching the indus
trial body of the people in yise-like grip.
1t calls for courage TO attack this mon
ster. but President Roosevelt has courage
IL calls for skill to meet the array of high
priced. able lawyers in its pay. but the
President has able legal advisers OF his
own 1t calls for strength of purpose to
wage the fight to a finish. but the President
has famous grip when he once gets hold.
So at last this notorious offender is to
be hailed TO the bar and accused of the
crime Of choking the life out of its com
petitors and regulating TO suit its desires
the price Of public necessity and waxing
1nconceivably fat of the plundering Of the
people. If the courts sustain the charge
Inc severest punishment for the men who
constitute the corporation will be demand
ed by the country