New-York tribune., 1908-09-16
DEFEND STANDARD OIL
agents Say Methods Used by Com
pany We're Justified.

When the hearings in the suit being conducted by
the government to dissolve the Standard OH Com
pany of New Jersey in violation OF the sherman
antitrust law resumed yesterday morning be-
fore Referee Franklin Ferris IN the Custom House.
the courtroom where the hearings are conducted
was crowded with the witnesses called by the
Standard OIL Company. Most of them were dealers
and agents summoned by Mr.. Rosenthal, the
Standards attorney TO rebut the testimony given
by the governments witnesses. in which the Stand
ard accused of unfair methods of competition
and rate cutting in the Southern States
The first witness c. G. Purse. BALTIMORE
agent whose testimony was similar 10 much thal
has already been given. intended chiefly to refute
the allegations that the Standard employed unfair
to drive out competitors
Iemuel Wilmer, who had been salesman III
various Southern districts, the second wit
ness He testified at some length to the opposition
he had encountered in fighting the Red C OH
Company in Yorkville, W. Va. telling how he
fourlu oil delivered by the Red &C. Company IN
which the size OF the barrels had been overstated
CoTnpetition with the Red &C" Company had been
very keen. and he had kept some OF these snort
measure barrels TO have some means OF getting
back at the Red c.. which was constantly Trying
TO attack him"
Mr Wilmer told how dealer named Mali IN
Richmond had threatened to make him sweat
blood" TO hold his trade and had demoralized the
oil trade there.
Did YOUR wife ever go out and follow the wagons
OF connections IN IlCnnOnd anu llIeH iel'it p'''A
10 vou?' asked Mr.. ROsenthal 'Mr Mali has so
testified"
please let me tell that story, cried the witness
IN angry tones THAT contemplate puppy, Mall
told that story, and all he had 70 base II on was
one little incident Ny wife happened TO see Red
60 wagon delivering of one day TO a customer OF
mine in Richmond Naturally she asked me II /
had lost the trade OF that customer That's all
there Is TO g. and my wife never followed any
wagon"
After Mr. Wilmer left the Dixie company ne was
employed by the Home Safety OIL Delivery Com
panv. a sub-company OF the Dixie and had for his
territory the country about Norfolk Many OF the
customers IN this region could not read. he said.
but could understand figures. so the rival COM
panIes displayed their prices on the wagons.
As the last witness OF tho day, Mr.. Rosenthai
called Arthur Purse. brother of the first witness.
lie told Of being interested in the oil business with
his brother in Sea CliT. Del. but was later en-
rloved hv the National Oil Company. controlled by
The Standard but operated independent con-
cern MI Purse said ne did not know that the
National was owned by tho Standard until the
Standard announced 1t IN 100.
The Standard announced its ownership OF the
National about the time the Bureau of Corpora
rions began its Investigations in and around Balt-
more didn't IT." asked Mr. Kellogg. with a smile
The witness said he did not know at just what
time the announcement was made. The witness
admitted that nj present he is employed by the
Standard oil Company. The hearing WILL continue
to-day.