The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1908-12-31
STANDARD OIL IS
FOREVER OUSTED
FROM MISSOURI
Evidence Showed Combination
to Regulate Prices to
Retailers.

Jefferson City, Mo-, Dec. 25.--
The supreme court of Missouri
handed down a decision today.
ousting the Standard Oil COM
.pany of Indiana and the Republic
Oil company from the state OF
Missouri and forbidding them ever
again to do business in Missouri,
and dissolving Waters-Pierce OIL
company, Of st. Louis.
In addition each of the COM
panies was fined $4,000.
The order dissolving the Wa
ters-Pierce Oil company is to be-
come effective January 10, unless
the company on or, before that
date furnishes to- the supreme
court satisfactory evidence that it
intends to operate as an indepen-
dent concern.
a Conspiracy.
Tho court finds the companies con-
spired to regulate and nix the prices 70
retail dealers TO control and limit trade
In refined products OF petroleum, and
to prevent competition in buying ano
selling these products; TO mislead the
public I'm the belief that Iney were sep
arate corporations, pursuing indepen-
IDENTIFY their business as Legitimate
competitors.
Suit TO Dust the three companies was
Instituted by Attorney General Hadley
In 1906. Evidence was taken by spe-
| cial commissioners in st. Louis and IN
New York. II has been before the
state supremefsoourt for more than 9
year.
Seven Judges Concur,
The opinion was written by Judge
Woodson. All seven judges concur
Judges Graves and Lamb wrote sep
arate %concurring opinions.
Judge Lamb, concurring as to TIT
action against the Standard and Re
public companies, adds that in his be-
lief the Waters-Pierce Oil company
should be fined s 100000 instead O
$50, 900.
Judge Graves in his opinion, thinks
the Waters-Pierce company should no
be dissolved. He said the evidence
showed that II. Clay Pierce, who OWL
40 percent of the capital stock OF tn
company, did all in his power to pre-
vent Ii from going into the trust, ever
losing his position as president OF Tn
company ON that account. The minor
ity stockholders, Judge Graves says
could mo- help themselves; they shoul'
be protected. While Judge Grave
urged a greater punishment for tn
Standard Of Indiana and Republic o
Ohio, yet it was due to his infiuenc
that the Waters Pierce Oil compan.
was not absolutely ousted from Mis-
souri,.
The opinion of Judge Woodsor
which was concurred In by othe
Judges. states the record shows tn
Standard has been guilty of unlawfu
means Ii the formation of the trust I
control the output OF oil n price
at which II is sold 10 dealers.
Word for Pierce.
1 conclusion his report, which cover
400 typewritten pages, Judge Woodso
says the action in giving the Waters
Pierce Oil company time in which I
sever it's connections with the trust
taken to protect the minority STOCK
holders. The evidence, IL is said, dls
closes a majority OF interests in III
company were owned by the New Jel
sey company and that these interest
displaced II. Clay Pierce, president
the Waters-Pierce company, because
} his persistent efforts to conduct the a.
! fairs of the company independent
| the standard. The punishment, he say
| should be severe enough TO meet u
crime committed against the state, bl
the good faith of a minority OF II
stockholders should be recognized.