Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-10-18
ARGUMENTS IN THE TRIAL OF
THE STANDARD OIL COMPANY
OF OHIO BEGIN
SUIT ENDS ABRUPTLY
Prosecution Is Unable to Show Author
ity Of Agent to Give Rebates
Knocks Bottom Out Of What Was
Expected to Be Strong Case.

Findlay, Ohio, Oct. 1e.-Both the
state and defense rested their cases
In the trial here against the Standard
Oil Company of Ohio for alleged con-
spiracy against trade today. The argu-
n1ent of counsel will follow.
The end of the trial came suddenly
in sight at the conclusion OF court yes
terday. The state was precluded by
the ruling Of Judge Banker from Offer
ing a line Of evidence intended to
show the Standard Oil company gave
secret rebates to retail dealers In oil.
Attorney Phelps, for the prosecution.
admitted the state had no means OF
showing the Standard OIL company
authorized It's agents to offer or give
rebates. The court said 1t was a funda-
mental rule of evidence that the au-
thority Of the agent must be establish
ed.
"Then the state will close its case in
ten minutes tomorrow" remarked
Phelps, ana the jury, which had been
excused for this argument of counsel,
was called In and court adjourned.
John O'Brien, of Lima, o., superin-
tendent of the Buckeye Pipe Line COM
pany, was the first witness at the
Standard Oil trial yesterday. When
asked what was his business the wit
ness appealed to the court. He said
the answer would tend to incriminate
him and asked for immunity from flu
ture prosecution. Attorney Phelps,
for the defense, remarked: well,
guess we will have to make him I'm.
mune," and the court ordered the wit
ness to answer questions.
This order extends the immunity No
more objection to answering question
was made The witness, after stating
he was superintendent of the Lima d.
vision of the company, gave geograph
ical bounds of his division.
Voted the Standard Proxies.
In answer to question, Mr.. O'Brier
said he had for more than a year, beer
a director in the Buckeye company
He was present at the last annua
meeting Of the company held at Lima
Witness said he voted the proxy of the
Standard Oil company of New Jersey
that at this meeting there were pres
ent R. L. Bates. secretary Of the Buck
eve: T. A. Mclaughlin, a Mr.. Ball, o
Oil City, Pa. Witness did not remem
Der the number of shares represented
by the proxy he voted.
fQ-Don't you know that you voted
all the shares of the company excep
shares owned by those who were pres
ent?" Al don't know that"
Q.-"Is not that your best recollec
tion?" Al don't remember
On cross-examination by Mr. Kiln
for the defense, the witness said hi
company gathered from between 1900
to $4,000 wells, whose average dali
production was less than one barrel.
Are there number of other gath
ering lines in the fleld?'
Eyes, the Manhattan Oil company
the Paragon Refining company, SUI
Oil company, the Wyandotte Reduc
tion and Refining company, r. G
Stett. the Lodi Refining company an
the Craig Refining company. The la'
ter company we deliver oil to-"
On DIFFERENTIATION Mr. O'Brie,
was asked If his company ever deli1
cred oil to any company other that tn
Solar or the Standard
Yes, to the Craig Refining compan
at Toledo. We deliver to them ever
day.
Q.-"Is that connected with tn
Standard Oil trust?" At don
know"