Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1909-11-30

Il Il
the greatest octopus in the worlds
history.
Roosevelt Starts the Fight
1t was three years ago that Presi- |
dent Roosevelt summoned the brilliant
lawyer, Frank B. kellogg,
before his cabinet and gained his con-
sent to conduct the assault in the
greatest legal battle ever contested in
this country, and which resulted last
Saturday in the decision of the United
States court Of appeals that is a.
sweeping affirmation of every conten-
ton urged by the government in it's
ard Oil Company of New Jersey, 1.-The
greatest trust in the world"
The opinion of the court, written
by Judge Sanborn, sustains the COLI
tentions of the government in every
point and in full detail. 1t reviews
the origin and history of the Standard
Oil Company, showing the wizard-like
minds that conceived and executed
the plans for the organization and
points out plainly the particulars in
which such operations have been in
violation of the law and contrary to
public policy. The court holds that
the combination as formed and operat-
ell is conspiracy to strife, or direct
ly and substantially restrict free COM
petition in commerce between the
states, and therefore is wholly ana
unqualifiedly in violation of the law
under which the prosecution against
1t was instituted
The Sweeping Decree.
Having found the defendants guilty
of the charges brought by the gov
eminent, the courts decree is sweep
| ing order designed to end the abuses
which have so long obtained. The
Standard Oil Company of New Jersey
is enjoined from voting the stock of
any of the companies Of which it has
secured control; other companies are
enjoined from paying dividends to the
Standard and from allowing their
stock to be voted by the Standard;
all partnerships and agreements be-
tween the Standard and other COM
panies are ordered Cancelled; and that
every act now being performed by the
Standard and its affiliated companies
that tends to restrict or stifle free
competition in commerce or to form
monopoly in control of the petro-
| leum business of the nation is en-
| joined and prohibited. The decree al.
SO directly and explicitly prohibits the
| Standard and it's allies from hereafter
taking any steps, making any plans
or forming any alliances, the effect
| of teitherdriectly or indirectly any or
the things prohibited and declared IL
legal by the courts findings in the
case at issue.
Free Competition.
The decree declares the ownership
by the Standard Oil Company of New
Jersey of the stock of all the Other
corporations to be Illegal and pro
hibits the exercise of any control ovel
the various corporations by the prin
cipal company. 1t also prohibits an.
Of the defendant corporations, or the
individuals, from accomplishing thu
same purpose of placing the contro
of the same corporations, or any TIVE
or more Of them in the hands of an.
trustees, persons, or corporations
from managing or operating them tC
gether or in harmony, or from making
any express or implied agreement on
with the other for the purpose of con
trolling the management of the COZ
porations or the prices of petroleum
and it's products or the rates of trans
portation; and it prohibits the dc
PENDANTS from engaging in any intel
state commerce while the combination
continues. This, if sustained, will EN-
all combinations to control business
| and will restore competition through
out the country, and will protect tn
independent manufacturer who is tt
day struggling for living.
Startling Figures.
1t appears in this case that tn
Standard Oil is the most gigantic co
poration in the world. On an origin;
investment of $6900O,00O, the Stant
ard Oil Company has paid in dividend
since the organization of the Tru.
: down to and including 1906, $54S,43t
: 43687, and at the end of 1906 had
surplus of over $261,0 100000 on il
: books 1t has actually earned on tn
investment of $69,000000 over 81 600
. 100000, and during the last few yea
has earned over 100 per cent pr
> annum These profits have been mao
principally in this country, as the fo
eign companies have made much le'
profit than the companies doing bus
j. ness in America. Some of the Anne
y lean companies, like the Standard c
u Company of Indiana,-one OF the pri
}, cfpal subsidiary companies,-on a t
+ tai capital and investment of $1,000
) 900 has earned $10000,000 per annun
n in other words, 1051.6 per cent ar
J. has a surplus of over $4,000, 900. I'll
;. Combination controls from So to
J. per cent of the various branches
O the petroleum business in the Unit,
+, States, and practically all of the lubl
e cating-oil business OF railways. 1t h;
II directors in all the leading railways
J. the country, and it is dominant fore
t. in the country's financial institution
h No Political Significance.
y The Standard Oil victory is su
posed to make Mr.. Kellogg cant
date for the United States Senat
When asked relative to this possb
ity, he declined TO be interviewed.
have absolutely nothing TO say abo