Norwich bulletin., 1909-11-22
COURT ORDER BREAKS
 STANDARD OIL TRUST.
Circuit Bench Unanimously Declares New Jersey Concern an Illegal Com bination.

St Paul, Minn., Nov. 21-In anlopin : | ion written by Judge Walter If. San born of St. Paul and concurred in by Judges Van Deventer, Hook and Ad- ans, with a special concurring opinion by Judge Hook, the United States cir cult court for the eastern district of Missouri Saturday handed down an opinion declaring the. Standard Oil company of New Jersey an Illegal com bination operating in restraint of trade and order complete cessation of such combination and operations. The opin- ion was filed simultaneously in St. Louis and in St. Paul.
 |. According to Frank B. Kellogg of this city who was the government s special prosecuting officer, the govern ment has won every point for which it contended.
 The decree of the court becomes eff fective in thirty days but no douibt a stay will be granted for the purpose of an appeal When the decree takes ef- feet, unless a stay is granted. an in junction will issue restraining the Standard Oil company from further continuance of its business under it's present formation.
 The case on appeal which the Stan dard Oil lawyers will take, will go direct to the Bnited States supreme court, as the Judges who signed the decree are in effect the judges of the United States circuit court of appeals, although they were sitting for the pur- pose of trying this case as the circuit court for the eastern district of Mis- souri. The special provisions of law governing such cases will admit of prompt action by the highest court.
 New York, Nov. 21-Moaimer F. El- liott. general counsel for the Standard oil company, said today in comment ing for the first time on the deceision against the company handed down yes- terday by the United States circuit court at St. Paul:
 T have seen what purports to be the text of the decree handed down by the United States circuit court yester- day The company will take an appeal immediately to the United States su- preme court, and will cheerfully abide by the verdict of the highest court in the land. whatever that may be.
 Argument in this case began last April, and we are glad to have reached an opinion. I do not mean that we are pleased with the opinion itself. but that we are glad to get it, whatever it's nature.
 '"rhe decree does not order disso- lution of the Standard Oil company; that is a misunderstanding. What the decree orders, as I now understand it, is that the company shall distribute among its stockholders. of whom there are approximately five thousand. it's holdings In the stock of subsidiary company This distribution. I further understand. is ordered to be effected on a pro rata basis of apportionment. That is to say. the heaviest holders of Standard Oi l stock would receive pro- portionate number of shares in the stock of subsidiary companies"
 MT. Elliott was asked what course the company would adopt if the verdict of the lower court should be upheld in the higher court.
 That" he said, '1s something shall b. better prepared to discuss when have seen the opinion by which the United States circuit court justifies its decree"
 Cleveland, O.. Nov. 21.-'T simply cannot comment on the decision of the United States circuit court on the gov ernment's complaint against the Stand ard Oil company" said John D. Rocke- feller at church today. T am no long CT actively connected with the man agement of the company. and it would be improper for me to enter a discus sion of the matter"
 Mir. Rockefeller added that his spir- its were high, because Mrs. Rockefeller. who has been ill. is progressing toward recovery with gratifying rapidity