New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-01-27
SOLD TO STANDARD OIL.
CIeUeIand Men Tell of Purchase of
Independent Companies.

Cleveland Jan. 26.-The second days session
OF the investigation by Attorney General Hadley
of Missouri into the Standard Oil Company's
methods Of doing business began before Special
Commissioner Schwentner here this morning
with B. w. Browne president and treasurer of
the Great Western Oil Company, Of Cleveland,
the first witness. Mr.. Browne testified that
his company was engaged principally IN the
marketing end Of the oil business and handled
lubricating oils largely.
Mr.. Browne, continuing said IN part:
have been in the oil business for twenty
three years, and for eighteen years was con-
nected with the old oil firm Of Scohed, Shur-
mer & Teagle which sold out to the Republic
OIL Company. Our company was the largest
competitor OF the Standard company in the
State Of Missouri and the Central West. The
firm ceased to do business in June, 1901 I was
manager at that time John Teagle conducted
the negotiations for the sale of the properties.
and what Information gained Of the sale
OBTAINED from him. I have no documentary
evidence OF the negotiations, which began sew
erai months before the deal was contaminated.
Inc hepuDuc Oh Company appeared upon the
scene Immediately after the deal was consum-
mated Louis H. TurreI, who testified yester-
cay coming on here and taking charge OF af-
fairs temporarily. Mr.. Turrell told me when I
was first introduced TO him that he was a
representative Of the Standard Oil Compsnv
The Standard oil Company has always had
what Is called dissatisfied trade, which bust
ness was easy for the Independent companies to
under the guse Of being an independent con-
Germ.
Daniel Shurmer testified that he was an active
member Of the firm up to the time the plant was
transferred to the Republic Oil Company. hav-
ing entire charge Of the business. He also said
IN part:
1 did not go TO New-York in regard to any
Of the negotiations for the sale Of our property,
but John Teagle, my partner, reported TO me
that he conducted the negotiations with Alex
ander Mcdonald. The only person I ever heard
OF IN connection with the sale was Mcdonald,
who 1 understood was a Standard Oil man.
never heard the name of Tilford or Moffatt men
toned by Mr.. Teagle
Edward d. Shurmer, a son Of Daniel Shurmer
the next witness. said that he went to New
York with c. W. Scoheld and John Teagle in
interests in the proposed sale Of the firms prop
erty. We met Alexander Mcdonald at the
Waldorf" he said, and the sale Of the property
was discussed. don't remember Of there being
more than one meeting, of meeting Mcdonald
again or Of seeing anybody else in reference to
the sale. knew Mr.. Mof1att, Of the Standard
Oil Company, but don't remember seeing him
in NeW-IOrk at that time. did not learn any
thing further about the matter until my father
told me the plant had been sold to the Republic
Oil Company"
This finished the hearing insofar as Attorney
General Hadley of Missouri who has been con
Quoting the investigation, able 10 proceed
at the present time. Mr.. Hadey asked that an
the purpose Of holding the case open for fur
Their testimony. There were other Witnesses he
SeIu, whom ne might want 10 examine, and
he thought the date mentioned would be con-
Venient for all concerned
Asked II this was not done for the purpOse
Of obtaining the testimony of w. r. Judd and
w. T. Mckee, the present officers of the Repub-
nc OH Company, who are now absent from the
city he said that If Judd and Mckee returned
ana he found that he needed their statements
ne would come back TO Cleveland and cause
them to appear on the witness stand
Mr.. Hadley left here tonight for Chi,aeo and
expects 60 be home Sunday.
Samuel c. T. Dodd, chief counsel Of the STANDARD
Oil Company, denied absolutely yesterday tho sta,e
ment Of Louis II. Turrell, of Detroit to Attorney
General Hadley Of Missouri in Cleveland rI,r,s
day, that Mr.. Dodd had persuaded Mr. rI,rreII -
sign his name F. a. Turreu to tn, incornor.,+i
papers Of the Republic oil COMPANY. M DodI
said; Il want to deny that assertion raosr en-
phaucolly To the best Of my recollection have
never seen the man in my life and cartafDI,, 7
never asked him any one else to sign q 80,
name to a paper"
II. NJ. Tilford. with whom TurrelI said ba ,,,,- in
the habit Of transactng business AT No 2G BROAD =
way, was not IN the city yesterday but was So
one could be found in the Standard OfI E,,jl7tNo
who would admit that he had ever seen cr tI
4 uIIeit DeLoIe ms appearance at Cleveland III
said, and why should he be known 49, II was
Inc taxing or testimony in the Missouri s,,t+ I'LL,
De resumed IN TINS city next Tuesday T. a. '. III
pecled 10 put Nj. Rogers on the stand - rs eA
ihat tme. The process servers are SIM tI2 a
ing 10 connect with various STANDARD On 10y ny %
euqed their vigilance up "a late hoUT lr ,teT had
,,-1l,n.0 aTelL oAly newspaper reports" Dsf1oi
can't act on such information When ~ = ana
General or Missouri comes here next week O sL M
- t5tt"u ~ ACT on any Information he ma 49,
WllSH SHOWS a crime has been committed I'M NSVg