New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-01-05
OIL HEARING TO-DAY.
II. FL. Rogers or j. D. Archbod
to Giue First Testimony.

The taking of testimony IN the quo varranto
proceeding of the State of Missouri against the
Standard OIL Company and other oil companies
operating in Missouri said be subsidiary to the
Standard begins at 10 o'clock this morning in the
Office OF Henry woIlman No "a Broadway.
John D. Archbold and Henry II. Rogers. directors
Of the parent compauy-the Standard OIL Company
of New-Jersey-win be among the first witnesses
to be called. One the other of them, it was
authortatively stated last night, would required
to give the opening testimony.
The hearing viii be before Frederick H. Sanborn,
special commissioner appointed by Governor Folk.
The witnesses upon whom subpennas have been
served John D. Archbold, Henry H. Rogers,
William G. Rockefeller, Wade Hampton, Frank Q.
Barstow, E T. Bedford, Howard Page and James
A Moffett- All the witnesses named are expected
to be present when the hearing begins.
Herbert E. Hadley. Attorney General Of Missouri.
was expected to arrive last night from Washing
ton but was detained at the capital He will.
however, reach New-York this morning. and no
time will be consumed by prelminaries.
Rush c. Lake, Assistant Acknowledgement Of Mis-
souri,. came in advance of his chief, and when seen
at the Waldorf last night he said:
1T IS purpose to set the wheels IN motion
promptly and proceed expeditiously. The hearing
in New York is by no means the beginning of our
work We began taking testimony in Missouri four
or five months ago, and have already secured tes-
timony showing the division of territory and trade
in Missouri between the Standard and the Waters
tive evidence on that point and also TO show that
the Republic Oil Company, which poses as the in
dependent company, was organized by clerks in the
Office Of the Standard Oil Company at No. 26 Broad
way, and was backed by the money Of the Standard.
The case is based upon the charge that the de-
fendant corporations federated for the purpose
of shutting out competition and controlling prices,
in violation Of the antitrust law Missouri The
penalty OF violation is forfeiture of charter or IL
cenSe to do business in the State
The Waters,Pierce Company is a Missouri cor cor
mean the loss Of charter while the Standard on
the Ohio, and the Republic Oil Company, being
foreign corporations. would lose their licenses
Concerning the witnesses twenty-six Of whom
have thus far avoided service. Mr., Lake said il
perhaps not to be expected that they would
voluntarily present themselves to the inquistors.
The MssourianS cite the fact that the prosecution
of the Beef Trust began in Missouri. and that when
they assert their disposition TO be shown matters
IN which the public is entitled TO have light they
generally get what they go after: They entertain
the belief that the success of the insurance inquisi
ton affords a wholesome object lesson Of what the
probe, used with authority Of law, can accomplish
They are encouraged to believe that the witnesses
whose presence is already assured will have no
disposition to prolong the hearing
Attorney General Hadley has his lines Of inquiry
well defined by the facts already derived from hear
ings in St. Louis, Kansas City and Joplin, and
hearing is also set for Tuesday next in Cleveland.
The question as to whether not service will be
secured on John D, Rockefeller is still awaiting
solution