New-York tribune., 1907-07-18
ACCUSE STANDARD OIL.
Fighting Lackazcanna's attempt to
Check Shipping Right.

Charges were made yesterday in the United
States Circuit Court by Henry A Powell an attor-
ney representing the Brooklyn oil firm Of Preston
q Davis. against the Standard oil Company, which.
he said, was trying by unfair methods to force his
clients out Of business Mr. Powell said that Pres
ton q Davis were the principal competitor OF the
Standard Oil Company in Brooklyn
The argument came up application made
by the Delaware, LaCkawanna & Western Railway
against the Preston s. Davis firm and the United
States Interstate Commerce Commission to restrain
them from enforcing order of the Interstate
Commission made April % last, directing the
railroad TO restore service TO Preston & Davis and
10 deliver oil shipped them from independent
Davis said that the Standard Oil Company was the
real complainant and attempting to evade the
mandate Of the Interstate Commerce Commission,
ana at the same time crush preston & Davis as
their Brooklyn competitors. Judge Lacomb heard
the arguments and reserved his decision.
The application is the initial step of the Della
ware, Lackawanna & Western road to appeal from
the order Of the Interstate Commission and is the
outgrowth OF a complaint made to the commission
the Delaware. Lackawanna & Western Railroad.
but really complaining Of the methods of the stand
ard OF Company.
According to Preston & Davis. a secret agree
ment was made between the trunk lines years ago
that oil should be delivered in New York eX-
cepting through the National Storage Company at
Constable Hook. the Standard oil Company's ter
Alinal For several years, Preston & Davis say.
they bought oil from the Standard and competed
in Brooklyn with subsidiary concern of the Stand
ard OIL Company. In 1902 Preston & Davis ended
their relation with the Standard. and since have
purchased OF! from Independent concerns at Titus
Vile. Penn In January. 1903. Preston & Davis say.
the Standard Oil Company informed the Delaware,
Lackawanna & Western Railroad that it vio-
lating the old trunk line agreement m delivering
Oil at the Brooklyn terminal, but the road cOntn-
ued TO deliver until last November.
complaint 10 the Interstate Commerce ComntS-
sion followed and there a hearing in Wash
ington. This resulted in order being issued by
the commission April 26 last restoring the ser
vice, the commission holding that Preston & Davis
had right to demand the delivery of its oil cars
from the Delaware. LaCkawanna & Western as
the latter common carrier. The service was
restored but the road is appealing from the
commissions mandate.
The road presented as one reason why the in
junction should be issued that It's Brooklyn ter
nlinal was limited TO ninety a day and that
the cars OF Preston & Davis blocked other ship
made the neighborhoOd exceedingly dangerous and
had caused least fire. that OF September
o, 1890.
These statements Preston Davis deny. l. A.
ChaVer appeared in opposition the application in
behalf OF the Interstate Commerce Commission.
The right Of merchant 10 have his wares
shipped by a railroad" said Mr. Davis. rs ele-
mentary in law and is the only way that monopoly
be prevented The order Of the commission was
plain, and they seek to evade II and put out
OF business. II this order IS valid in law. il opens
the way thousands OF independent oil msn
throughout the country TO do business. 1t would
mean the loss OF many millions to the Standard
oil Company Much is at stake than just the
mere driving out OF concern. Il IS really a
fight that the government should make but Will
carry f. on 10 the end. confident OF victory"