Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1907-08-06
From Washington
Correspondence of the Alexandria Gazette
Washington, Aug. 6.

TCorrespOndende Of the Alexandrla Oazette' J
Washington, Aug. 6.
officials of the Department of Justice
firmly believe that the government will
eventually collect the $29, 240, 900 fine
imposed upon the Standard OIL Com
pany by Judge lands. They admit the
possibility OF q reversal OF the convic-
ton on the ground of error in The trial,
although they regard this chance as
very remote; but they do not believe
that the Supreme Court will consider for
a moment the amount of the fine. In
other words, if the conviction stands,
the fine stands with it. 1t is expected
that the csse will reach the United States
Supreme Court within year, and that
final decision msy be expected few
months later. There is nothing illegal
about this record breaking fine" ex-
planned high authority at the Depart
ment of Justice today. ''From the oil
trusts lamentations, one might think
Judge Lands was the criminal instead
of the Standard. The fact that the
Standard Oil Company was gross Of
fender, snd had been found guilty OF
over 400 ofienses, was no fault of the
government. Neither is there law in
existence, to my knowledge, providing
that the court, in imposing fine, must
first ascertain whether the payment
would prove burdensome to the prisoner
The trust attorneys have the right to at
tack the proceedings on bill of excep-
tons TO lha Circuit Court OF Appeals,
but it is hardly likely that the question
of fine will appear in this record. If IT
did, all the higher court could do would
be to ascertain if the sentence had been
imposed in conformity with the law.
The Standard can &c. this case into the
Supreme Court of the United States
on 8 writ of euor That tribunal cannot
90 outside the record, however, because
he case is a criminal one. 1t is doubt
full if the question of fine will be raised
in the Supreme any more than it would
be in the Circnit Court OF Appeals. d"
The Standard oil has two strings to its
bow against the governments one. 1t
can carry the Chicago case to the Or
cult Court of Appeals, and temporarily
defeat the federal government II that
tribunal should reverse the proceedings
in the lower court. lift loses out there,
it can appeal 10 the Supreme Court OF
the United States. The government
would not have the writ of appeal from
an adverse decision In the Circuit Court
Of Appeals.
The War Department announces the
conviction by court martial at Fort
Monroe, of First Lieutenant George A.
F. Tiumbo, 18th cavalry, for writing
the FLOWING letter to Mrs. Sims. OF
Clarksburg, w. Va, mother Of Earl
Sims, a soldier: "Dear Madam: 1t gives
me great pleasure to inform you that
your con, Earl Sims, who is about the
most worthless scoundrel ever saw,
is q deserter from the United States
army. l sincerely hope to see him be
hind the bars for at least two years.
Hoping this will be source of condo
lence to you, am, &c. The court SEN
fenced him to be repfimsnded and con-
fined to his post for two months, which
punishment Major General Grant, in
reviewing the case, considered entirely
inadequate, characterizing the lieuten-
ants conduct in writing such letter as
"beyond the pale of the most ordinary
decency." After reproving the court
for its leniency, the general approved
the sentence.
The Department of justice this after
noon gave out statement revealing the
attempt of the powder trust to circum-
vent the governments suit against the
concern. Incidentally the statement to-
wolves the recorder at Wilmington, from
whose Office papers filed by the trust dis
appeared at critical time, and who de-
MED to the District Attorney that he
had any such papers.
The Erdman law is being invoked,
in an effort to adjust the differences
between the Colorado Southern Railway
and its dissatisfied switchmen. In re-
spouse to the appeal yesterday from
the railway company, Commissioner of
Labor Neill and Chairman Knapp, of the
Interstate Commerce Commission, held
a lengthy conference today relative TO
the matter. At its conclusion they an
nounced that they had opened up tele-
graphic communication with the railway
officials aud the Offices of the switchmen's
officials. The responses will determine
their future course. They may leave for
Colorado tomorrow, if called.
Today's treasury statement lie: Receipts
$1,67S,712; expenditures 81, no. 900.