The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1907-10-16
LAND|s, RELUCTANT,
GRANTS IMMUNITY
Yields to Bonaparte in Chicago
and Alton Rebate Case.
r--y
REsENTs STANDARDS TAUNT
Moffett subpoenaed - Judge Prompt
to Take Up Oil Mans Charges
Demands Proof of persecution"
Pamphlets Allegations.

l.. Chicago.-Compelled, much against
his judgment, to grant immunity to
the Chicago and Alton Railway and
| it's former officials, Judge X. M. Ian
| dis startled every one in his court
room by taking advantage of an open
| ing that may again bring the Alton
| before a Federalcourt as a defendant.
Instead of discharging the special
Grand Jury called to indict the Alton
he framed another attack. He or
dered that a subpoena be issued for
James A. Moffett, president of the
Standard Oil Company of Indiana.
and instructed the jury to Investigate
insinuations made by Moffett.
Judge Lands produced a booklet
written by Moffett. in which the $685.
I 100000 fine assessed by Judge Lam
| lis against the Standard was rldl-
| culed, and read this charge:
Thousands of tons of freight have
been shipped from these points dur
ing the fifteen years past under the
| same circumstances as the Standard
shipments, and If the Standard is
| guilty in this case so is practically
every other shipper in this great man
ufacturing territory. Is there a pur-
pose in selecting the Standard as the
victim?"
Then with an arm extended toward
| the jurors and in an impressive voice,
the Judge said:
81 hope I do not need to say to you
| gentlemen that the highest ambition
I have as an occupant OF this bench
Is that no man may truthfufly allege
what is contained in this pamphlet.
charge you to listen to the testi-
mony of President Mofett at 10
! o'clock next Tuesday morning and
I give careful attention to 1t. And II
| he gives you information conirma-
| tory of these alleged statements, you
need no instruction from me as to
what you are called Upon to do other
than to do your full duty" = q
Judge Lands action Is regarded as
one Of the most drastic moves that
have been made against officials or
the oil corporation during the entire
litigation. The scene in the court
room. at times bordered on the dra-
matte, the developments, following
the granting of immunity to the
Alton road, coming as a complete sur
prise to counsel for the Standard Oil
Company as we'll as to spectators.
Judge Lands denunciation of the
tactics employed by the directors OF
the New Jersey corporation after the
imposition Of the 329,24O,000 fine on
the Standard of Indiana waS eouched
in language that could not be mis-
taken.
In the pamphlet distributed broad
cast throughout the country the
Standard Oil Company takes the posi-
ton that it was prosecuted rather
than prosecuted by the Government,
and the fiat statement is made that
other corporations are just as culpa-
BILE Of the practice of rebating as is
the oil concern. This is what Mr..
Moffett has been given an opportunity
20 prove.
If MI. Moffett accepts the challenge
Of Judge Lands and makes good on
nis charges, it is predicted that whole
sale prosecutions of shippers in the
Whiting district may follow.
In informing the Grand Jury thai
1t had no duty to perform Nth refer
ence to the Alton thereby granting
the railroad immunity from prosecu-
ton for rebates granted the Standard
OIL Company Of Indiana, Judge
Lands followed the recommendation
of Acknowledgement Bonaparte, who
in q letter addressed to United States
District Attorney Sims and read by
him in court, set forth that the De-
partment Of Ju~ ;ce could not in good
faith proceed against the Alton in
view of promises made to the officials
o. the road in return for their testi-
mony. It was on this testimony that
the Standard Oil Company was found
guilty and fined $~29,24O,OOO.