Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-31

ly, enforcing statutes against entering OF
goods without due declaration, establish
ing a vigorous system OF espionage to pre-
vent smuggling and even suDjecting to
search persons of distinction and captains
of some of the transatlantic liners. The
searching of individuals and the general
rigor of the Loeb administration led to
strong protest from many sources, and
toward the end of the year determined
to effect Mr.. Loeb's removal. However.
it was given out from Washington that
the Secretary Of the Treasury Endorsed
Mr. Loebs policy and would support his
actions generally and speclncally as to
the sugar expose.
AS for Mr.. Loeb's former chief, he de-
parted for his widely advertised African
hunting trip March %, reaching Mombasa
Naples and Alden. At Naples Mr.. Roose-
Welt was received by the King OF Italy.
From Mombasa he went at once INTO
the hunting fields, and since then he mas
small game and forwarding the hides and
skeletons Of the same to the Smithsonian
Institution at Washington for mourning
and exhibition. Mr.. Roosevelts last nota-
fuence successfully against the passage
of several radical anti-Japanese bliis by
the California legislature. thus quletinS
once more talk of a possible conflict De-
tween this country ana JdpdI.
Roosevelt Out; Taft In.
With Mr.. Roosevelt our only living
ex-President and Mr.. Taft inaugurated
as President on schedule date, with
Washington practically cut OF from the
rest of the country by violent snow
and sleet storm. the cabinet was en-
tirely reorganized, leaving only Secre-
taries Wilson and Meyer in office. Phi
lander c. Knox became Secretary OF
state: Franklin MacVeagh. a Chicago
merchant, Secretary OF the Treasury
Jacob NJ Dickinson. democrat and
lawyer Of Tennessee and chicago. sec
rotary OF War; George w. W1ckershain
H. Hitchcock, the chairman OF the re-
publican national committee, Postmas-
ter General; George Won l.. Meyer,
Postmaster General under Roosevelt
Secretary of the Navy; Richard A. BAL
linger. who had been head of the land
ONCE under Roosevelt, but who had re-
signed, Secretary Of the Interior;
Charles Nagel Of st. Louis. Secretary
of Commerce and Labor. James Wilson
being retained as Secretary of Agricul-
aroused much public interest because
OF his known Affiliations with law
Arm most of whose business had Deen
with trusts and large corporations. me
President himself answered Whatever
anxiety there might be as to his pur-
shit Of the Roosevelt policies by ex-
pressing complete fealty to them In
his inaugural address. He added, now
ever, that it had become necessary TO
reinforce these policies by strengthen
ter as the chief aim of his own ad-
ministratfon, and later pointed to the
unusual array of legal talents in his
cabinet as an earnest of his intention.
Standard Oil Decision.
Undoubtedly the most important legal
decision of the year was that OF the
federal circuit court Of appeals. sitting
in st. Louis. which, November 20, hand
ed down a decision in favor OF the
government in it's suit to dissolve the
Standard Oil Company. This decision
mot only returns the control of the
Standards numerous subsidiary com
panies to their separate stockholders.
but enjoins the tandard Oil Company
or it's agents from voting any stock 1t
holds in the subsidiary companies" BY
a unanimous hench-four judges sit
tins-this dissolution was ordered on
the ground that the Standard restraints
trade and stiles competition in viola
ton of the Sherman act. OF course, the
Standard Oil Company has taken an
appeal to the United States Supreme
Court, winch carrier III the sedi VIZ IL
ally affirmed the decision of Judge
Grosscup and associates in the federal
court in Chicago multiplying the famous
Standard Oil fine Of SIS. 100000. Later
Judge Anderson, sitting at Indianapolis.
instructed the jury, in the case Of the
governments rehearing. to bring In
verdict Of not guilty. In Missouri. how
ever the Standard Oil Company did not
have such good fortune, the state SUI
preme court sustaining the lower court
in ousting the company from the state.
In Texas the prolonged prosecution o.
the Waters-Pierce Oil Company, as an
alleged affiliation of the Standard Oil
was brought to an end by the payment
of a fine of $1.SOS.75O by the company
and a promise by it not to do business
within the state. While not figuring
conspicuously in the affairs of Stand
ard Oil. Mr.. Rockefeller signalized the
year by additional gifts to the Uni
versity of Chicago. donation OF So
600. 900 to the general education board
and Of 81, 900 900 for the study and pre-
vention of hookworm in the south
which, it was officially announced. held
. 1000, 900 Americans in thraldom
AS the year closes the Standard Oil
dissolution decision is seen to be far
reaching, provided 1t is upheld by the
Supreme Court, and under the Sherman
act, sustained, the government will be In
a position to prosecute and break down
any combination Of any sort whatsoever
aimed to restrain trade or destroy COM
petition.
Another Notable Decision.
Another notable decision by the United
States Supreme Court sustained the gen.
erai validity of the Hepburn act regu-