The Minneapolis journal., 1906-08-09
INDlCIS OIL TRUST
FOR REBATE TAKING
Federal Grand Jury Reports Vic
lation Of the Elkins
Law.
ANOTHER JURY CALLED
TO CONTINUE THE PROBE
Relations of Rockefeller Corpora
tion and Roads to Be
Looked Into.

Chicago, Aug. s.-The Standard on
company must stand trial upon the
charges of having accepted rebates, In
the form of remitted storage charges,
from the Lake Shore & Michigan South
ern Railway company, contrary to the
provisions of the Elkins interstate COM
merce act.
The federal grand jury, which is in
session in Chicago to investigate the
Standard Oil company and its relations
with the railroads, returned an lndlct-
ment against the company yesterday,
Just four hours after it heard the first
evidence in the case.
Will Investigate Methods.
BY order of Judge Bethea second
grand jury was drawn and summoned
to appear Tuesday.
This body will investigate the busi-
ness methods of the Standard Oil COM
pany from where the first inquisitoria.
body was compelled to leave off.
The second jury will begin its inves-
tigation with March, 1905.
The Indictment, which contains nine
teen counts, makes no accusation
against any individual official or en-
ploye of the oil company; neither are
there any charges made against the rail
road company or its officials or en-
ployees for granting the alleged illegal
rebate.
This fact seems to bear ou the re-
port that the government would grant
immunity to the railroads in exchange
for testimony with which it could fas-
ten its case upon the oil company. Of
course, there is the possibility of the
an indictment against the railroad, but
the fact that most Of the witnesses
upon whose testimony the indictments
were returned are either officials or
employees of the Lake Shore seems to
preclude all prosecutions except against
the railroad corporation.
Jury's Task Not Ended.
Just what line Assistant Attorney
Robert Childs, who has charge of the
jury, intends to take up next is not
known, but it is believed that he will
investigate the relations between tho
oil company and the other railroads.
This is indicated by the fact that sew
eral railroad men are still waiting to
be called.
The fact that the jury was able to
agree upon an indictment 50 promptly
came as surprise to those who have
transpires in the jury room is being
carefully guarded, It is understood thai
the jury Simply took up the evidence
that was heard at the Cleveland hear
ing, called the witnesses before it, hai
them verify their testimony, and the1
voted the Indictment.
The indictment is a lengthy docu
ment and sets forth the grand jury y
accusation that the Standard Oil com
pany did, in direct violation Of tn,
Elkins law, accept and receive from tn,
railroad company rebate and conces
sion in the shape of cancellation O.
the storage charges due the railroad
company.
About $500 Involved.
The total amount of these charges i
alleged to be $S,501.72, in sums varyin,
from 1916 to $564 each Of the sum
constituting a separate offense AM
each representing the total storag
charges for given month.
The Elkins law provides a fine O
$4,000 to $4,000 for each violation
Under this Indictment, should the gov
eminent secure conviction on the tria
maximum under the Elkins law may b
assessed.
The Indictment alleges that by
system granting the Standard Oil con
pany certain concessions the oil con
pany benefited to the extent of $3.50
from August, l9O3, to February, 100;
The Indictment, as explained by th
government attorneys, means that
nineteen instances certain consig1
ments of oil for the Standard Oil con
pany were stored by the Lake. Shore
Michigan Southern Railroad colEpan,
and that the railroad company receive
no payment of cents per ton per da
. from the oil company for such storag
but that it's competitors were compelle
to nav this amOnDt This ic 1or
TO pprantins pr i
the non payment of the storage charg
being practically rebate in favor
the oil company. Each count sets up
discrimination of varying amounts eat
in favor Of the oil company. It will !
necessary for officials of the Standa1
Oil company to appear in court al
present bond of $4,000 for the CO
poration. .-- .'-...