The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-03-11
MAY NOT ABANDON
ITS TRUST BUSTING
Department of Justice Re-
fuses to Confirm Reports.
Chicago Cases.

Tie Department of Justice is not
prepared TO subscribe to reports that
il has reached definite decision TO
drop certain trust busting" suits, but
the new Attorney General has made it
clear 10 his callers tat he VIII, a
the earliest possible mt nlent. acquaint
himself with the details of the prose
cutions so that he rl-c outline the
future policy of the department.
II is maintained al the Department
that the sudden ending OF the Stand
ard Oil rebate case in the district court
at Chicago can be considered in no
wise as an abandonment, because
the Government had pushed the action
to the limit and had submitted all the
evidence that was in its possession or
that IL had reason TO suppose could be
obtained. Because the court did not
consider IL sufficient to warrant an in
StTuction Of conviction to the 1uTS, was
A matter entirely beyond the control
of the law officers of the Government,
Il is plainly pointed out
Attorney General Wickersham is now
familiarizing himself with the details
of the Governments dissolution suit
against the Standard Oil corporation.
He has been comforting the last few
DAYS with Frank 3. Kellogg and former
District Attorney Morrison, OF Chicago,
who have had the case in charge from
their final argument. which was to be
made before the United States circuit
court at ST. Louis on March %, but
which has been postponed until April 3.
Department Notified
The Department of Justice has just
been notified OF the postponement. Al
though 1t is stated that the later date
was fixed in response to an appeal from
the attorneys Of the Standard Oil Com
pany, there is no doubt the additional
time granted will prove very acceptable
20 the new Attorney General and enable
him TO direct the arguments along the
lines he deems best.
II has been explained today that the
cali late yesterday afternoon Of Chair
man Knapp and other Interstate Com
rnerce Commissioners upon Attorney
( General WickerSham was purely for the
purpose OF paying their respects to the
/ new head of a department with whom
/ they have TO work in very close Tela-
/ ton, but it is understood that advantage
/ was taken of the opportunity for a
/ thorough discussion OF the Standard Oil
/ rebate case.
Expected Defeat
The Interstate Commerce Commission
ers. now that the noted easr is ended
! DO not attempt to conceal the fact that
! they had fully investigated and
/ thoroughly discussed the oil tariff
| schedules which formed a basis for thu
/ Governments prosecution, and had
reached en- almost unanimous decision
/ that a conviction wop!G be absolutely
/ impossible.
Friends of the Interstate Commerce
! Commission axe using the rebate case a:
/ an Illustration of the embarrassment:
/ that might arise should President TAT
secure from Congress legislation which
| would take from the Commission th,
/ power 10 investigate rates and bestov
| II upon the Bureau OF Corporations
TIE Standard Oil case was taken up D,
the latter bureau after AZ had been re
1ected BY the Interstate Commerce Com
miSsiouerS and the entire prosecution II
Chicago was based upon the evidence
secured under the direction OF the theI
Commissioner OF Corporations Garfield.
! These friends also mailtsir that TIA
body that Is familiar with raiIroat
legislation and all questions affectin;
railroad mana cement should have IN
final say as TO any prosecutions which
should be conducted under the law
which il is aiming to have enforced
I These defenders OF the Commission
| are convinced that the outcome OF tn
Standard Oil rebate case will largely in
fuence President Taft in the recon-
mendations on raiirOs q fegisla tio1
which he viii send 10 congress.