The Washington times., 1907-08-19
BONAPA PARTE GETS
FACTS IN ALTON
IMMUNITY CASE
Railroad Officials Claim
They Did Not Hamper
Government.
In Case They Did, Bona
parte May Soon Prose-
cute Road.

The facts with reference to the al
legged immunity of the Chicago and Al
ton from prosecution for granting TO
the Standard OIL Company those rebates
for which Judge Lands fined the oil
monopoly 81, 9,24O,0O0 are being laid be-
fore Attorney General Bonaparte to-
day.
While there is no doubt that immun-
ity was promised the Alton by former
District Attorney Morrison, with the
sanction Of the Department of Justice,
OF which William II. Moody, now as
sociate justice of the Supreme Court,
was the head. there Is serious doubt
whether tne Atoms performance in the
trial OF the rebate indictments against
the Standard assisted the Government
in good faith.
Il is this question that Attorney Cen
eral Bonaparte must decide.
District Attorney Sims, OF Chicago,
VINO is here with his assistant, Mr.
Wnkerson. is pressnting to Mr.. Bona
parte g. number Of facts with reference
10 the trial to show that. the Alton
officials did not live up 10 the agreement
and in several instances tried 20 mis-
lead the Government.
may Disregard Promise.
There is strong reason to believe that
If Attorney General Bonaparte is con-
WINGED there was d deliberate purpose
TO frusJrate the Government on the
part OF the Alton. he will disregard the
promise OF immunity.
Tie conference did not begin until
nearly neon today. Attorney General
Bopaparts did not reach the Depart
ment Of Justice until IL o'clock. and It
was after that when he held his audi
snce on the immunity question
MessrS. Sims and EFilkerson were first
received by the Attorney General. They
had with them q transcript Of the rec
ord Later. a delegation OF Alton off,
clals arrived at the department. They
were not given opportunity TO see Mr..
BonsrGrte, but will see him later in
the Gay.
Former District Attorney Morrison
arrived after the Attorney General had
conferred with Messrs- Sims and VII
kerson for a short time After brief
waiting. he was admitted TO Mr.. Bona
parties Offices
Sims Position.
While the conference Is private, It is
believed District Attorney Sims takes
the ground, as Judge lands did in d.
recting the grand jury to make inquiry,
that the agreement was not kept in good
faith.
1t Is not understood Mr.. Sims is urging
that the Immunity pledge be broken by
the Government. He is, however. lay
Ing before the Attorney General such
facts as are pertinent from the tran
script OF the record In the case.
Former District Attorney Morrison
is eble 10 tell just what promise the De-
partment Of Justice made through him
20 the Alton Mr., Morrison has been
drawn into the matter unwillIngly. from
all that can be learned, and did not
wish 10 appear here, but Attorney Cen
eral BonapSrte insisted upon it.
The Alton officials are worried over
the situation The representatives Of
that road consist of Robert Mather.
general counsel Of the Alton and OF the
Rock Island Ralph NJ. Shaw, OF the
atoms legal department; +. s. Holland.
tariff clerk OF the Alton. and J. 81.
Howard, freight claim agent. They take
the position, OF course that the Gov
eminent has entered into an immunity
agreement, and that the railroad COM
pany lived up 10 II.
Hollands Testimony.
Mr.. Holland is one OF the Alton off,
cials whose testimony was not satis-
factory tn the Government Hs was
told at one time by Judge Landis TO
answer questions directly or leave the
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