New-York tribune., 1906-06-15
STANDARD BACKS DOWN
Independents Sag It's Lack of De-
fence Is Their VictOru.

cleveland. June 1.-THE Interstate Cornmercs
commission reopened the investigation of the
standard Oil Company here to-day c. A Prouty
was the only member of the commission present
- l. MArchand. chief counsel for the commission
was assisted by Judge s. s Mehard Of Pittsburg
In opening the session MIR. Prouty said that he
ou received a letter from Virgil P. Kline chief
couhsei for the Standard Oil Company of Ohio on
June q in which it stated that the Standard
OH Company did not desire at this time 10 offer
any testimony.
Mr. Kline. who was present. corroborated this
statement and said that this course was decided
upon because he believed that a full reply TO all
charges against the Standard Oil Company was
now on file in the office OF the Commissioner of
Corporations.
Mr. Kline's letter bearing on the subject sent
10 the commission at Washington follows
10. Cleveland Ohio. June I, 1906.
i'o o1I6seo 1nIseh e SemIents InteEstate Commerce
Ny Dear Sir-At the conclusion of the hearing
IN, IN this city you requested state in writing
before the Industrial Commission might desire to
r. oner. also upon what subjects might wish TO
SUBMIT evidence at some later date In behalf of
the Standard Oil Company
only. on Monday last, received full transcript
of the testimony taken here. So far as it reflects
m uDon on the relations Of the Standard Oil Company
soner Garfeid and on fIe in his oce 10 fjnd that
large part Of the so-caed evidence taken here
ie!ates TO alleged competitive abuses in tew iso-
a lated places in the country at large, but deem it
an an, ,nnprof1tabe task to enter into OF words
with respect thereto.
l note what Won in yoYr letter of T1Ine I
sPeekng spec ding in behalf OF the commission and
sret that you 40 not your way clear have
me tender YOU the exhaustive answers by repre-
sentatives of the comnany nuhlishad in fuIi ir
Volume 1 of the reports of the Industrial Com
mission. mission. which was prepared to do, but do not
the tull evidence heretofore given before that
mission: TO go over the same ground again. and
least for the immediate future. which accordingly
DO Thanking you for your courtesy. l yours
very truly, VIRGIL Z. KLINE.
Mr.. Prouty then asked if anybody else desired to
be heard and the only response from Mr.
Marchand, who said he had the testimony of one
witness TO offer, that of NJ. c. Tuly. auditor
in the freight department Of the Lake Shore and
Michigan Southern Railway Company
Mr.. Tuly's testimony was concerning storage
Chicago, and 1t was sought to draw from the wit
ness statements concerning the methods used by
the railroads in keeping such accounts. il being
the contention of Mr.. Marchand that the railroad
had allowed the storage charges against the Stand
nrd Oil Company to go unpaid and that the audi
tors department in Cleveland had afforded the
local agent al Chicago relief in this respect
Mr.. Prouty, by skilful work succeeded in grad
ually drawing from Mr.. Tully the admission thGs
the agent at Chicago was not required 10 send in
the cash for storage charges against the Standard
Oil Company, but that the account was balanced
by a voucher sent the Cleveland Office. This
Tulty said. was done upon orders from G. J. Gram
mer. traffic manager OF the road. The practice he
said, had been followed since 1905 but had ceased
on January l of this year.
There was no cross-examination, and there being
no other witnesses, adjournment taken without
day.
Mr. Marchand said after the session adjourned
mony put in r. defence of any kind was a COM
plete victory for the independent oil men.