Albuquerque citizen. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1907-1909, 1907-08-15
lands MAY DISREGARD
PROMISES OF
IMMUNITY
Strong Belief That He Intends
to Follow up Relating
Case to the
End.
EMBARRASSING TO
FEDERAL OFFICIALS
Matter Has Assumed a Shape That
Is Causing Considerable Worry
in Department of Justice.
Judges Course Not
Decided.

Chicago, August 15.-It is the gem
eral impression among attorneys here
that Judge Lands will not pay any
attention to the promise of immunity
made by the department or justice
to the Chicago and Alton railroad,
when the officials of that road gave
testimony against the Standard Oil
company of Indiana, resulting in the
oil trust being fined $29,24O,OOO py
Judge Lands on 1862 counts, charg-
ing rebating.
Judge Lands yesterday continued
the term of court which he had call
ed, permitting the special grand jury,
which had been summoned TO near
evidence against the Chicago and Al
ton to leave the court room until
he has time to make a full investiga-
ton of the case. He gave no intima-
ton as to the probable result OF that
investigation, provided he finds that
the Chicago and Alton was granted
immunity, merely stating that ne had
lust been informed by the DEPART
ment of justice of its promise to the
road az IA
1t is an absolute rule with the
United States government to keep us
word to the letter and the department
will be greatly embarrassed If Judge
lands persists in having the grand
Jury investigate the railroads snare
in the rebating, even though the EVIL
dence in the Standard OIL case pro-
vided that the road is equally guilty
with the oil trust In at least l4oz
cases.
While the judge may recognize the
promise to the company as a corpor-
alton, it is also possible that he may
insist on certain officials of the road
being indicted individually.
When Judge lands inclined TO
push the prosecution, however, the
authorities in Washington would be
in a predicament. There is no ofhcial
in the United States with delegated
power sufficient to grant immunity
10 a CORPORATION for criminal Of
fense. Clemency, immunity and par
don freuunetly are resorted to by the
state courts as a bribe by means OF
which one criminal turns states EVIL
dence against another, but the feder-
al courts, with all the power at their
command. seldom If ever have to re-
The president of the United States
may pardon an offender after convic-
tion. Nothing has been divulged by
the authorities in Washington-tne
only source of reports as to immun-
ity thus far--to show that forgiveness
extends to the individuals. The law
will protect those who testified Tor
the government, and 1t is probable
that the secret agreement included
them.
Not Party to Agreement.
A friend of Judge Lands In Log
ansport, Ind, where the judge has
been visiting his brother, stated today
thas Lands told him yesterday as
they RODE to Chicago, in order that
the Judge might continue the term
of court until he had time to inves-
tigate Attorney General Moody
agreement with the Chicago and AL
ton. that "I will be party TO no
such agreement"
This friends states that lands, II
the district attorney refuses, on ad-
vices from Washington, to conduct
the investigation. that the court VIII
appoint a special attorney for the
case and bar the district attorney
from the grand jury room.
Judge lands will probably make
known his intentions within few
DAYS. The telegraphers' strike pre-
vents his being able to get immediate
communication with Washington and
the matter is being investigated by
mail.