The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-05-03
EXPOSURE Will Shock Whole Ma,
tion-Criminal Prosecutions
May Result.
ROCKEFELLER HIMSELF
IN DANGER OF PENALTY
Railroad Official Said to Have
Given Tip" of Colossal
Rebate System.
journal Special Service.

WASHINGTON, May s. President
Roosevelt will on Friday next send to
congress a special message relative 10
the violations of the law by the stand
ard Oil company in its business M Ml;a
the railroads of the country. Ihls
message will accompany the report OF
James R. Garfield, the commissioner OF
CORPORATIONS, who has made an lnvestl-
cation of the acts Of the great corpo-
ration, and which will be followed by
immediate action in the courts against
the gigantic trust.
President Roosevelt had an impor-
tant conference yesterday with Attor-
ney General Moody and Commissioner
Garfield regarding the report. It is
intimated that the report will create q
sensation and attract the attention OF
the entire country.
It is stated that Commissioner Gar
field has gathered evidence which will
enable the department. Of Justice to in
stitute successful prosecution Of the
Standard Oil trust.
Independents, Dummies.
This report will contain data which
will show that the Standard Oil COM
pany has received rebates from rail
roads in spite Of the railroads, and it
will also give history Of the business
methods of the great combine. This
report WILL SLOW Gudt CuS Iletny oup-
posed independent companies engaged
In the oil business have merely been
dummies, and that competition has
been crushed by all sorts Of question
able games.
Attorney General Moody would not
give any indication of whether he will
bring civil or criminal prosecutions
there is strong belief that the testi
mony that has been accumulated will,
be presented to a New jersey grand
jury, with the object of bringing Grim
Anal indictments against individuals.
John D. in Danger.
Just what officials the Indictment
may reach is as much of mystery a.
anything else, but it is almost certain
is the head of the Standard Oil com
pany, despite the efforts of Vice Presi
dents Fl. H. Rogers and John D. Arch
bold to make it appear that Mr.. Rookie
Teller has not been actively identified
with the trust for many years.
Senator Lodge has introduced al
amendment to the railroad rate bill
which will give. the Interstate commerce
commission jurisdiction over the pipe
lines of the country. It is believed
the amendment will be adopted If 81
1t will make it easier for the govern
ment to bring successful prosecution
against the Standard Oil com pany, as i
will place it on the same plane will
e. other common carriers.
Millions in Rebates.
If those who proclaim themselves q
familiar with the character of the re
port and the recommendations cor
tanned therein do not err, Mr.. CARTEL
has discovered that, despite the asse1
tions of Mr.. Rogers and his associate
that they have been obeying the lette
and spirit Of the Elkins law, rebate
amounting to millions of dollars hay
been paid, directly and Indirectly, fror
the treasures of most Of the importan
railroads into the Golfers of the StanC
ard Oil company.
One story is told that Mr.. CARTEL
was not making much Roadway in rur
ming down the Standard, as a taker 0
rebates until one day one Of his agent
entered the office Of a great railroa
corporation and asked for information
Official Gives .'Tip."
An official Of the company, presum,
bly, the chief auditor, opened the book
. to him, pointed out long rows of figure
and told him these represented rebate
ard Oil company. The official also tol
him what the figures meant, and how /
would be able to locate similar practice
In other railroad offices. ?, r,..,.s
= This, it is said was the lead which r
suited in opening up hitherto vi
worked field of corporate wrongdoing.
It was intimated today that the 90
eminent expects to bring considerab
number of prosecutions because Of r
bates. Under the Elkins law the Civ.
of rebate is equally guilty with tt
taker Fines of $4,000 and $500
were recently imposed upon westel
railroad and it's officials.