The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-08-03
Judge Lands Handed Down
Decision Today, Finding
the Largest Trust in the
World Guilty on 1862
Counts-Penalty Was the
Maximum.

Chicago, Aug. 3-Judge Lands In the
United states district court today imposed
a fine upon the Standard Oil company OF
Indiana OF S29.240.oo0 the maximum
amount upon each one of the 1862 counts
OF the indictment on which that company
was recently convicted OF rebating.
The Judge also recommended that call
be issued for a special grand jury which
is to consider the other party TO the re-
batting operations OF which the Standard
Oil company was found guilty, and II Us
therefore probable that within a short
time proceedings will be begun against
the Chicago and Alton Railroad company
for the alleged commission of similar Of
fenses.
COURT. ROOM CROWDED.
The reading OF the opinion by Judge
Lands aroused almost as much interest
as the presence of John d. Rockefeller
and other officials of the Standard OIL
company upon the witness stand
The court room was crowded TO its ca
pacity and the United States deputy mar
shals were finally compelled TO refuse ad-
mission to all late corners. The govern
ment was represented in the court room
by United States District Attorney Sims
and by Assistant District Attorney VIII
kerson. The only attorneys OF the stand
ard Oil company present were Attorneys
Eddy and Martin, neither of whom bore
n
case. Attorney Miller, the leading counsel
for the Standard Oil company, was In Eu-
rope and his chief assistant, Moritz Ro-
senthal was In New York. Only few
of the lesser officials OF the Standard Oil
company were in the court room.
Judge lands began reading his decision
at 10 O'Clock and consumed approximately
an hour before he announced the penalty.
MAXIMUM VERDICT.
The maximum penalty is s29, 9,2400oo.
The corporation to be punished is capital
lied at $I.000,00O. Its visible assets, in
cluding refineries, pipe lines. etc. have
value, II is declared Of $1.ooo,oco. The
trial of this celebrated case was COM
menced March 4, and was concluded
April 10 After a deliberation Of two hours
the fury returned a verdict of guilty.
When arguments for new trial had been
heard Judge Lands called for information
concerning the relations OF the Standard
Oil Company OF New Jersey and the
Standard oil Company of Indiana, their
financial status and holdings, so that he
might be guided In determining the
amount of fine. This was refused by the
defense and the court issued subpoenas
for John u. Rockefeller and IL others.
officials connected with the two compan-
les The examination OF Mr.. Rockefeller
and his associates July showed that the
Indiana corporation Is owned by the New
alton desired by the court was obtained.
Judge Lands then took the case under
advisement and today marks the climax
so far as the United states district court
Is concerned A number OF indictments
are still pending against the company.
JUDGE lands SAID.
Judge lands in his decision said:
This Is prosecution of the stand
ard Oil company OF Indiana for al
legged violations OF the act approved
Feb. 10. 1903. known as the Elkins act.
The charge Is that the defendants
property was transported by the Chi
cago and Alton Railway company at
rates less than those named in the
carriers tarif schedules published and
filed with the interstate commerce
commission as required by law. The
offenses are alleged TO have been com
mitted during the period from Sept. /.
1903. TO March 1. 1905 The indictment
contains 1903 counts. each charging
the movement OF a car Of oil. Certain
OF the transportation IL alleged 10
have been from whiting Ind. TO East
ST. Louis. Ill. the remaining counts
transportation -fraHi-cA PeAT-fli-.--to
81. Louis. Mo. The plea was not
guilty. on the trial AL counts were
Withdrawn from the consideration OF
the jury on grounds not going 10 the
ultimate questions involved In the
case. on 1852 counts the verdict was