Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1906-04-23
Corporate Secrets Laid Bare,
Are Monumental Economic
Sensation of This Era
THE STANDARD OIL MONOPOLY
Among the Facts Established Are
Granting and Receiving Rebates, Con-
spiracy for Restraint Of Trade, and
Conspiracy for Purpose of Crushing
competition-Trust Buster as coun-
sci.


ton, the monumental economic sensa-
ton of this era of sensations is the
report of the Standard Oil monopoly,
which at last has been submitted to
the president by Commissioner of Cor
porations Garfield.
This report represents the result of
fourteen months patient investigation
by Commissioner Garfield and numer-
GUS secret agents. These officials have
ransacked every oil field in this coun-
try, almost every state in the country,
and even have visited Europe for in
formation to enable them to describe
clearly and impartially the operations
of the most colossal combination Of
modern times.
The information has been incorporat-
ed in voluminous report and it will
be sent by the president to congress,
probably during the present week or
early next week, in order that it may
guide that body in the enactment of
remedial legislation for some of the
evils disclosed. In the meantime, it
is being considered by the president
and attorney general with a view to the
institution of legal proceedings against
the officers of the Standard Oil and
various railroads with which they have
been in collision.
DiscIoses Trust Conspiracy.
The facts which the report presents
establishes that the Standard Oil COM
pany has been guilty of;
inc a nd ohof
Conspiracy in restraint of trade and
commerce.
Conspiracy for the purpose of crush
ing competition.
1t would seem upon the facts brought
to light that there could be no question
Of the prosecution of'the company and
it's officers with which they have been
In collision. But in the early stages
Of the investigation Mr. Garfield I'M
fortunately pursued the same methods
he observed in the inquiry he made in
to the beef trust. He personally went
to Kansas, to California, to Cleveland
and to New York and talked with the
officers of the Standard oil-not all OF
them to be sure-not with Rockefeller
| and some of the others higher up."
| The men he saw will claim immunity
for themselves in the event of prosecu-
| ton and for the other officers, "blank.
ct immunity" to quote the Humphrey
decision in the beef packers case. At.
| torney General Moody and Mr.. Garfield
have discussed this question, and the
next few days will determine whether
or not the government will take lega
action.
DeIve for Corporate Secrets.
The Campbell resolution, passed by
congress, under which the investiga-
ton was made, directed the commits
sioners of corporations to ascertain
the facts regarding the oil situation
and report them to congress "as a basis
for legislation or by the department
of Justice as basis for legal proceed
ings."
"It was understood few weeks ago
when congress directed the interstate
commerce commission to investigate
the oil situation. that Commissioner
Garfield would cooperate with the
commission. Mr.. Garfield consulted
with the commission, and the latter be-
gan the investigation with a hearing
at Kansas City. The commission re-
turned to Washington and upon arrival
found a. letter from the president di-
recting that it suspend it's operations
SO far as the oil question was concern
ed.
In directing this to be done the pres
ident was actuated, 1t now has develop
ed, by a. desire to have Mr.. Garfield
complete his work and report to him,
so that his investigation as an inde-
pendent affair might be submitted to
congress.
Trust Buster as Counsel.
Now that the Garfield report is in the
president has authorized the commits
sion to continue it's inquiry. AS the
first step it has appointed Francis s.
Monnett, former attorney general OF
Ohio, who has prosecuted suits under
the Ohio antitrust laws against the
Standard Oil, as special counsel to as
sist in the Investigation. The next
hearing will be held in Chicago early
in May, then the commission will go
to Cleveland, and perhaps thence to
New Orleans. 1t proposes to finish
it's report as promptly as possible in
the hope of having it ready for trans
mission to congress before the close
of the session.
Samuel S. Rowland has given to the
Nratrono1itan Museum Of Arts New