Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-08-20
STANDARD OIL SPEAKS
Notable Pamphlet Issued by the
Directors.
INNOCENCE is ASSERTED
Statement Addressed to Employees and
Stockholders.
DISAvOWS ANY WRONG INTENT
Alton Case Not One of Rebate or Dis
elimination, But Legality of
Freight Rate.

NEW YORK, August 20.-The directors
of the Standard Oil Company today issued
pamphlet to its employees and stock
holders relative to the fine Of 500 $40, 600
imposed on the Standard Oil Company of
Indiana. The pamphlet contains state
ment from President Moffett, president Of
the Standard OIL Company of Indiana,
and number Of editorial articles favorable
to the company taken from various Ameri-
can newspapers. The especially note
worthy feature of the pamphlet Is its in
troductory statement. which is as follows:
THE directors of the Standard Oil Com
pany in printing this pamphlet desire to
emphasize for the half million people di-
rectly interested in its welfare the
surance of the company's absolute inno-
cence Of wrongdoing in any of the prosecu-
tons lately instituted against it in the
federal courts Particularly is this so in
the present Chicago and Alton railroad
case, made notorious by the sensational
fine of $50, 100000 imposed on the Standard
Oil Company of Indiana.
1T should be known as widely as pos
sible that this is no case of rebate or dis
elimination, but simply of the legality of a
reight rate. 1t should be known that the
verdict was obtained by the government
upon the most hair-splitting technicality
aided by the rigorous exclusion of evidence
that would have removed all presumption
of guilt.
What the Trial Judge Refused.
IF the judgment in question be allow
ed to stand the company will be forced
to pay $4,000 Chat is, fifty times the
value of the OLD for every carload carried
over the Alton road during two years at an
open cent rate-a rate used over three
competing railroads for from ten to
fourteen years. The trial judge refused
to allow proof that the cent rate had
been filed by the Chicago and Eastern
Illinois, and was therefore a legal rate
He refused to allow proof that iinseed
oil, for instance. was carried at cents
and other bulk commodities as low
cents. He insisted that IS cents was the
only legal rate for oil, when no one had
ever paid it. and when it was authori-
tatively sworn that it did not apply to oil.
The case has been taken on appeal to
the higher courts to which we must look
for that calm Judgment which Will rescue
the rights of the> citizen from the field
of public clamor and from the domain
Of vindictiye politics.
so persistent and adroit has been the
warfare waged with all the overpowering
authority of the federal administra ton
against the Standard Oil Company that it
has been manifestly difficult to get fair
hearing before the public or in a large por-
ton Of the press. the latter. to its great
harm, swayed alike by socalistic outcry
from below and political pressure from
above.
Presidents Attack on Company.
LAS proof Of the latter it may be noted
that in the Presidents message of May t.
1905. attack was made on the Standard Oil
Company for the purpose of forcing the
passage of the bill renting the duty on
denatured alcohol. a measure in which the
company was not interested. On May II,
nf Sioper
report on petroleum transports tion, a tissue
of old MISREPRESENTATION was timed to in
luence the Hepburn rate bill, then before
Congress. On May 20. 1907, while Judge
Lands had still under consideration the
judgment in the Chicago and Alton case
Commissioner Smiths illogical and partisan
report on pipe lines was made public.
THE commissioners second report on
petroleum prices and profits-a wholly false
deduction from incomplete facts-was sent
in advance to the press for publication
August 5 in the knowledge that Judge Lam
dis would pronounce judgment on August 3.
Here surely Is evidence of a com bination in
fiuencing all sources of public opinion dis
turbing the orderly dispensation of justice,
sanctioning in advance and supporting
when made. the most sensa tional opinions
and judgments hostile to the company.
Campaign Of Defamation.
What motive underlies the campaign of
defamation need not here be discussed; but
for all, friends and foes 1t is reiterated
that the Standard Oil Company is carrying
on widespread business of great moment
to the prosperity of the American people In
absolute obedience to the soundest p-incf-
pies of business. and to the spirit and let
ter Of the law. Attacks upon 1t of the kind
described are aimed at the nations indus
trial and mercantile life.
1T is encouraging, amid the fury of the
bOOr which aSSallS mdny cOrDOrdtiOnS.
all organized industry and all wealth, TO
know that scores of editors through the
country on examination of the facts have
forcbly and clearly expressed their opinion
that the greatest wrong has been done to
the Standard OIL Company. Following their
example, it is sincerely hoped that editors
who have passed hasty judgment upon the
company will also examine the facts and
reach just conclusions. That friends
may know more fully how the truly indie
pendent are uphoding right and honesty.
a few editorial comments are appended
following Mr.. Moffett's public statement on
the Alton case. Each one of the articles