New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-04-08
FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY
OIL DEFENCE GOES ON
Hr. WIburn Justifes STANDARD n,
Ill Ddu -4rgumcut.

81 Louis April miss Ida TarbelI is entitled
TO a patent on the alleged Standard Oil conspiracy
OF 1879 declared John G. Mnburn. he Standard
chief OF counsel to-day in his argument in the
governments 10 dissolve the oil corporation.
And he added. turning toward Federal Attor-
ney Frank 3. Kellogg, the government here is
trying to deprive her OF it.
Instead Of being menace to the independent
renners MI Milburn declared the Standard had
always led the way and bazed the trail in the oil
world and that the independents had only to
follow as they had always done MI Milburn did
not finish his argument to-day and he proba bly,
will talk until tomorrow noon. when he will be
followed by Mortz Rosenthal.
1t is Mr.. Mlburu's contention that the defendant
has been greatly malgned, and that It has been
the nations greatest developer OF not only local
but foreign commerce He told Of the establish
ment Of refneries throughout the country, and
said that these investments had been extremely
prosperous first. but later. a result Of over
construction, there had followed a decline in
profits He told or the Standards early elements
OF stability its acquisition of properties including
pipe lines down to 1875, which, he asserted, had
been necessary to the development of the
poration's growing business. and also as one OF
the economies of the business.
Mr. Milburn explained in detail the organization
and extension of the oil marketing business after
1879 The iubrcating field then invaded, he
said This he explained with great care, especial
" as 10 the acquisition of 81 per OF the
try'S railway lubTlCauon business oy 4 Stalluaro
subsidiary company, the Cialena Signal Oil Com
pany He said the weight OF Rockefeller money
in railways has been OF the government
principal charges against the defendants. show
ing a tendency toward monopozation.
MI Milburn denied that Mr.. Rockefeller was one
of the organizers OF the famous South Improve
ment Company of Pennsy lvanla. Instead he said.
he denounced the plan as impractical Mr.. Rock
efeller and his associates that time that
MISREPRESENTATION existed only In STRENGTHENING
their business Mr.. Rockefeller had faith in the oil
businees-greater than any other man on earth
ever had. There are stockholders now in the
standard OIL who from its earliest days have never
increased their holdings a single dollar.
Smiling Mr. Milburn said: In all we have heard
of the Standard OH have never heard OF any
Standard Oil being not loyal TO his fellow men
in the company. Never has there been the breath
OF suspicion against any enc of them
Mt. Milburn continued during the afternoon 20
Ienv that there had been either fraud. coercion
wrong in the acquisition Of the properties bought
nv the Standard OIL. In the general economy OF
society," he said at was ordained that some men
should succeed and others fail. Some men failed
In the OH refining business. II ey could not keep
pace with the improvements OF the times. They
came to us sell; bought
The Standard lawyer discussed tho alleged rail
wav determinations charged by the government
and the existing conditions OF that day. With no
law preventing It was the custom TO seek the
lowest rate he said. Men shipped for freight rates
and determinations, using every method 10 secure
an advantage The Pennsylvania Railroad was It
self engaged in refining oil until forced 10 stop oy
the Erie and other roads. ne said.
Gould We" he asked. get lower rates than the
PENNSYLVANIA could grant itself7 It was our COM
petitor. Could undersell it,