Mexico Missouri message., 1909-11-25
j. S. WINS OIL CASE
STANDARD OIL COMPANY HELD
TO BE A MONOPOLY AND Or
pERED DISSOLVED.
JUDGE AMES GIVES OPINION
Struggle Of the World Famous coun-
sci Attracted Worlds Atten-
ton During Trial.

st. Louis, Missouri. - The govern
ment has won a victory in its long
fight to dissolve the Standard Oil
company and force the alleged trust
TO obey the provisions of the Sherman
antitrust law. The decision of the
four United States circuit judges, who
have had the case under advisement
since April 10, was delivered from
the bench by Judge Adams. The four
judges who rendered the decision are
now holding court at Denver.
The sweeping injunction granted IN
the case will force a complete read.
justment OF the ownership and control
of the Standard Oil company of New
Jersey and the 140 or more subsidiary
corporations of Standard Oil. BY the
terms of the decision 1t will also be
impossible, without being in contempt
Of court for the owners of the Stand.
ard Oil stocks to reorganize in any
manner so that the vast interests Of
the alleged trust may again be con-
trolled by a holding company.
According to the law under which
the suit was instituted an appeal, If
any be taken, must be direct to the su-
preme court of the United States.
The governments victory is prac-
tically complete. The only exception
being that some fifteen or twenty sub.
sidiary and minor companies are ex-
empt from the ruling as not being a
part Of the Standard Oil company, of
New Jersey.
The suit Of the government to dis
solve the Standard Oil company was
filed in the United States circuit court
in st. Louis on November Is, 1906, at
the direction of the attorney general
Of the United States. The action was
one in equity, brought under the pro-
visions Of the Sherman antitrust law.
The control through the Standard Oil
company of New Jersey of more than
100 corporations engaged in the REIN
ing and marketing of oil was charac-
terized as a conspiracy in restraint of
trade.
The government asked for a perma-
nent Injunction restraining the hold
ing company from continuing in con-
troll of its subsidiary corporations and
from reorganizing in such a manner
that the alleged conspiracy be per-
petuated.
The governments complaint against
the alleged Standard Oil trust was a
printed document of more than 100
pages. It recited in detail the steps
taken and the methods used by John
pnnlyapnllar Uyf1lioV, DnnlyafolIaN
Henry M. Flagler and others in build
ing up the most formidable industrial
giant the world has ever known.
The hearings were greatly enliv
enede from time to time by efforts on
the part of the government officers to
get John d. Rockefeller to testify.
The pursuit of Rockefeller by county
sheriffs, deputies, United States mar
shals, constables and policemen form
perhaps the Mveliest part of the liter.
ature of the case. These chases after
the bald-headed oil king, who began
to take flight before the subpoena
servers, and about the same time that
he fitted himself with q wig, furnished
the cartoonists with striking sub
feet, and finally made Rockefeller
talk.
Suit Cost Trust 100000.
The cost of the case to the Standard
Oil company has been estimated at
100000. The cost to the govern
ment cannot be estimated. One Of
the Standards attorneys, Moritz Ros-
enthal, is said to have received $1,000
day for the time that he spent on
the case. John G.. Milburn, another
attorney, is retained by the year at
a handsome salary. He is said to
have received a bonus of $4,000 for
his speech.
atandard oil Will AnnaaI