The Rich Hill tribune. (Rich Hill, Mo.) 1903-1911, 1906-05-17
CHARGED.
Methods Of Standard Oil Company
Assailed Before Interstate Com
merce Commission.
FORMER employees TESTIFY.
Witnesses ut the Chicago Hearing Tell Of
Corruption Of Railroad Clerks aud
Employees ofIndependent Com
panies BY Agents Of Combine.

1870 - 49, VI &1AAAkAANNH
-
Chicago,-Startling revelations Of
the Standard Oil company's allegea
bribery Of railroad employees in order
to learn secrets Of competitors ship
ments were brought out before the
interstate-commerce commission. It
was the beginning of what threatens
10 be on expose that will dwarf the
most sensational Of magazine articles
and will ittingly supplement the re-
cent Garfield report. To add spice
TO the proceedings, the inquiry was
branded at the very outset by Attorney
John S. Miller, representing the
Rockefeller interests, as a muck
rake Investigation" ]. T. Marchand
and F. S. Monnett are acting as spec
ial counsel for the government for the
ultimate purpose of securing legisla-
ton In line With the recommendation
made by the president. Mr.. Monnett
as attorney general Of Ohio dealt the
Standard some telling blows.
Commissioner Charles A. Prouty,
Francis NJ. Cockrell and Alexander
Clements are hearing the testimony
which is to be given by Witnesses
s~ubpoenaed by the government from
the central western states.
The following are salient points
brought out in the testimony of the
first day:
That the Standard Oil company for
years maintained a system Of bribing
railroad employees in order to obtain
information about the shipments by
competitors.
That in this system money was
used, a regular monthly allowance be
ing provided agents. and agents we're
authorized to promise employment
with the Standard Oil company in re-
turn for information.
That this system was continued un-
81 the officials of the company feared
its publication might result in SUM-
cient public indignation 70 bring about
action By congress and the state legis-
latures.
That secret agents are employed 10
watch oil shipments made BY indie
pendeHts from the point Of shipment
until delivery and make complete re-
ports.
That agents IN whose territory In
dependent OF is sold arc held account
able for II and in many cases com
PEELED to pay for &c 10 the Standard.
That agents are compelled 10 draw
three brands" all Of supposedly diff
ferent quality, from the same tank and
sell them at different prices.
That agents are instructed 10 keep
up stock, and to point out the method
10 be used reference is made in letters
to them of other agents who have
been known TO send out 200 gallons
and report the sale Of from POS to 2OS
gallons
The FIRST witness Of the morning was
2 NJ. without. who, in 1896. was Gccut
for the Standard OH company at To
peka, Kan. After saying that he had
resigned from the employ Of the o
pany because he could no longer main
tain his self respect and perform the
dirty" work demanded OF him. he
said that duTiag the entire time that
he looked after the interests Of the
standard IN K1rs3s one Of the chief
parts Of his work consisted in looking
after the shipments OF independent oil
either 90. from or through the city.
! was Instructed 10 set the iuforma-
iinn on these shipments. no matter
what J had 90 do in order 20 rct II
For a long time the division once AZ
Kansas City sent no a check every
month for EIGHT dollars.
The witness read several letters
from Mr. Mayer IN support Of this
point and several letters from Z Il
Pratt IN New York. IN which injuries
were made concerning shipments Of
Independent oil which he had failed
10 report.
Once received a letter from Mr.
Pratt IN New York advising me Of q
certain a OF oil that VAS consigned
10 Topeka. He said he wanted a sam
pie OF the oil and told me that II I
found u necessary I could get IN touch
with Charles Kelly, who was then
state oil inspector"
This statement by the witness was
Immediately followed up by Attorney
Marchand, who sought 10 use Il as a
basis 10 prove that the OH inspectors
OF many states are really IN the stand.
ard oil employ.
did you make use Of his seryices7'
Mr.. Marchand asked h~urriedly. half
rising from his seat, expecting the
testimony TO take a sensational urn
NO, ! did not. / was able 20 get
The sample without him. I got Il
through a bribed agent Of the indie
pendent company"