The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-12-30
MOFFETS PAMPHLET
TORN TO SHREDS
Federal Government Has
Fired Another Hot Shot
at Standard Oil.
ANSWERS EVERY CONTENTION
President of Standard Oil Called as
Witness and Backed Into
Corner.
Corner.

Washington. II. &. Dee 2s-The fed
etat government has fired another
'osiue AT the Standard OIL Ii is in
e~' ioi I" or an answer To the pamphlet
/ ISSUED hN James a. Merett. president of
the standard OH company Of Indiana
Son after Judge Kenesaw NJ Lands
imposed on that corporation the famous
$29.24o.ooo fine last August
EVERY contention made bv Mr.. Mofrett
swept away. bis allegations are
called "evasions" and the acts which
he saws were legal are denounced as
links in chain of Illegal practices
which the OH trust has INDUCED ii for
years
/ Mr.. Monett's statement. commended.
/ in effect, that the standard OH COM
pany was being prosecuted by the gov
eminent, that it never knowingly
violated any laws. and that the things
for which il was sentenced Were prae-
tees common TO numerous shippers
Judge lands directed the federal
grand jury 70 investigate the alloga-
lions in Mr.. Moffett's statement Ac-
cordingly the inquisitors hailed Mr. Moi
felt before them. but when under oath
he failed to substantiate the deciara-
tions so boldly set forth IN the pamph-
let which had been sent broadcast over
the country.
As the prosecution and conviction OF
the of company grew out Of the ex-
lposure of its practices made by the
bureau of corporations. Herbert Knox
smith commissioner of that bureau.
was ordered by Secretary of Commerce
land Labor Straus 10 report officially on
Mr.. Moffetts charges.
Commissioners Reply.
"On Aug. 3. 1907. at Chicago. the
Standard OH company OF Indiana was
fined S29.240.00O for the violation of
the Elkins antl-rebate law" the COM
missioner says. This was the called
Alton case
Various statements have since APP
pcared. one in particular signed by the
president OF that company. James A.
Moffett others in the public press. and
also series Of confidential circular
trade letters all endeavoring to
throw doubt on the legality and equity
Of that conviction.
These statements have made II nee
essary to show once moro that the trans.
actions which form the basis OF thif
conviction at Chicago We're such -
struck at the lie and spirit OF the
Elkins anti-rebate law and OF tisE
, policy OF congress In forbidding unfair
ness as between shippers.
THE question in this case was one
of a published IS cent rate TO East st
Louis as against secret 6 cent rate
The OH shipments involved in this So
called Alton" conviction started from
) " Whiting, Ind. the great refinery Of tbs
: Standard. near Chicago. and were de-
: livered at St Louis. Mo. or at East
ST Louis. I'll. just across the river from
St Louis by the Chicago and Altor
railroad They covered a period from
Sept /. 1903. to March ]. 1905.
During the time 50 stated. 1852 cars
: Of oil were carried from Whiting. Ind.
T. East St Louis over the Alton road
Y for the Standard oil company at tho
y rate of cents per 100 pounds. just
i one-third Of the said published rate.
4 This same secret cent rate had
;. been used by the Standard oil com
n pany. and by no one else. for many
o years prior to this period. IT was not
II 6led with the interstate commerce com
Is mission. and was absolutely secret anC
- unknown to independent oil rehners o.
y to shippers generally.