The state herald., 1908-01-31

large shippers in the territory had been guilty.
Considering the fact that these shippers in.
cluded the packers and elevator men OF Chi
cago the action of the grand Jury in calling
upon President Mofelt TO furnish evidence of
their wrong-doing may be interpreted as de-
mand for an elaboration OF the obvious: but
the fact that a rate-book containing these
freight fates for other shippers was offered in
evidence during the trial and ruled out by
Judge Lands. was kept out Of sight Prosi-
dent MoIott would not. OF course. accept tho
invitation of the grand Jury although he might
have been pardoned II he had referred them
to various official Investigations by tho Inter
state Commerce Commission and other do
partments OF the Government
We come back. therefore. TO the conclusion
OF the whole matter. which is that the Stand
ard OIL Company OF Indiana was fined an
amount equal TO seven or eight times the val
ue OF Its entire property. because its traffic
department did not verify the statement OF
the Alton rate clerk that the slx,cent commod-
ity rate on oil had been properly filed with tho
Interstate Commerce Commission. There Is no
evidence. and none was introduced at the trial.
that any shipper OF oil from Chicago territory
had been interfcred with by the ls.cont ratio
nor that the failure OF the Alton to file It's six
cent rate had resulted In any discrimination
against any Independent Hhippcr.-wo must
take this on the word OF the Commissioner
OF Corporations and OF Judge Lands. Neither
Is II denied even by Mr.. Smith that the "lnde-
pendent" shipper OF oil. whom he pictures an
being driven out OF business by this dlscrim-
ination OF the Alton. could have shipped all
tho oil he desired TO ship from Whiting via
Dolton over the lines OF the Chicago & East
crn Illinois to East St Louis In short, ProaI.
dent MonettH defence In htill good, and wo
predict Will he 30 declared by the higher court.
The STANDARD OH Company has been charged
with all manner Of crimes and miadomcanors.
beginning with the famous Rice OF Marietta.
passing down to that apostle OF popular ilber.
ties. Henry Dcmarcst Lloyd. with his Wealth
Against the Commonwealth. descending by
easy stages to Miss Tarbcll'a offensive person.
alitca, We finally reach the neither depths OF
unfair and bhaolcaa Misrepresentation In tho
report OF the Commissioner OF Corporations
Tho STANDARD has been charged with every
form OF commercial piracy and with most of
tho crimes on the corporation calendar After
long years Of strenuous attack, under IN,
leadership OF tho President OF tho United
States. tho corporation In at last dragged 10
the bar OF Justice 10 answer for ita mindolnru.
Tho whole strength Of tho Government Ia az
rected against II, and at last. We aro told, tho
Standard OH Company In 20 pay the penalty OF
its crimes, and II IA finally convicted OF hay.
ing failed TO verify the statement NJ a ratio
clcrk and ia forthwith fined u prodIglauu sum.
measured by the car. Under the old criminal
law, the theft of property worth more than a
shilling was punishable by death Under tho
Interpretation uf the Interstate Commerce law
by Theodore Roosevelt and Judge Kenrsav
Lands, technical error Of tratno ofrclai IA
made the excuse for the connaeation Of vas,
amount Of property,