The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-06-02
Million and a Half
Fine Is of Deep
Significance.
Oil Trust Is Tread
ing Labyrinth of
Law.

The decision of a Texas jury fin
ing the Waters-Pierce Oil Company
over S1,5OO.OOO for its violations of
the antitrust law and cancelirg its
permit TO do business in the state, is
considered TO be such a blow 10 the
Standard Oil Trust as may force it
to dissolve before the Federal Gov
ernment's case against it can be
heard.
The action is one Of deep signif-
canoe. 1t comes at a time when the
supreme court of Missouri has be-
fore 1t the report Of its special com
missioner, which finds that the same
Waters-Pierce OIL Company has been
violating the antitrust law of that
State and recommends that its per-
NIT 10 do business be cancele1.
Quicker Action Now.
Although there has been very litiIa
doubt as 10 what action the Nilsson So
preme court viii take. il is believes, t..4t
Tire Texas decision Will prompt quicker
action
The OIL trust is treadiug a perfect
labyrinth Of legal prosecutions Ohio.
Texas. and Missouri have attacked i
under State antitrust laws. The Fed
cral Government is prosecuting il ..nder
the Elkins rebate law in Illinois. Iennes-
see, Missouri. sEd New York II has
been found XII ry in Chicago. and the
Government is awaiting the infection
the law the minimum fines must reach
$l,500cJo- If the limit were imposed the
Standard would have 70 pay S29,Colo0o.
Demurrer to Dissolution Bill.
The circuit judges OF the Eighth cir
cult have just heard arguments on the
demurrer Of the Standard Oil 20 the Gov
ernmenJs biz, asking for dissolution.
An early decision is expected. The
court viii then appoint a commissioner
10 take testimony. The Department OF
Justice viii use its best endeavor TO
bring the case TO a speedy conclusion
In Ohio the state authorities are push
ing the OIL trust in civil and criminal
proceedings. The circuit court has just
given a black eye TO the trust by hold
ing that the probate court Of Hancock
county WHICH l44ae4 LAlt ,l-1AltAr--A asl--fl't-
had jurisdiction. The question viii be
fought out in the Supreme Court on
error.
Decision for General Producer.
This defeat for the octopus followed
another one, in which the circuit court
overruled q demurrer and held in effect
that the Standards pipe lines must
carry oil for the general producer. The
action was one in mand1mus fled
against the Buckeye Pipe Line Com
pany, subsidiary corporation
The Standard viii soon be forced TO
trial in the common pleas court in
Findlay, Ohio, on 100 indictments
Aroused Public Opinion.
The protractad and sensational fights
which Missouri and Texas have been
waging against the oil trust and the as
founding charges embodied f. The Gov
ernmenCs action for dissolU,eG com
bined with the disclosures Of pipeline
determinations Of more recent daJc.
made by the Bureau OF Corporations.
have been tie means OF greatly inn0m-
ing an already aroused public opinion
throughout the country.
II would be no surprise 90 tile Depart
merit Of Justice If the Standsrd would
consider discretion the better part Of
yalor and take steps 20 avoid further
efforts toward annihilatine it by ro,uu-
ta-iIy tilssolving-