The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1909-01-02
OIL Trust BUSTED
THREE COMPANIES ARE DRIVEN
FROM MISSOURI.
EACH is FINED $4,000
Standard Of Indiana, Republic and
Wsters-PIerce Found Guilty Of
Conspiracy by Supreme

/ re- - 80 .st
Jefferson City, Mo.-Declaring that
the Standard OIL Company Of Indiana,
the Republic OIL Company Of Ohio and
the Waters-Pierce OH Company Of Mis-
souri, had conspired and combined to
monopolize the oil business in this
state, the supreme court Of Missouri
Wednesday issued decree ousting all
three from the commonwealth, and
filming them $4,000 each.
The decree against the Waters
Pierce OIL Company Is tempered by
the proviso that 1t may cGyque In
business II, by March l., TO- 1t can
show to the court that 1t has taken
steps to operate as an independent
concern and has satisfied the judg-
ment against 1t. The other companies
are given until March /, 1909. to wind
up their affairs in the state.
Decision 10 Most Sweeping.
The decision, which was unanimous
on the part of the seven judges. is SO
sweeping that Attorney General Had
ley and Gov. Folk hail 1t as the end of
illegal commercial combinations In
Missouri, and the former asserts that,
in conjunction with the decision Of the
supreme court of the United States In
the tobacco trust case, It will AFFECT
similar suits in other states.
Attorney General Hadley, who has
prosecuted the Missouri case since its
inception in March, 1905, will become
governor in less than month and
then will be charged with the enforce
ment Of the decree issued.
Tried to Compromise Suit.
The attorney general followed up
the PRONUNCIATION by the court with
statement in which he asserted that
attempts had been made to compro-
mise the suit.
AT least three efforts have been
made by attorneys for the oil compa-
MES to get me to compromise the
cases." he said. II invariably told
them that the ultimate decision must
be made by the courts, and refused
their offers. II was intimated to me
that the oil companies were willing to
accept good large fine and concede
victory to the state. The PROPOSE
lions were never reduced to details,
but they were entirely legitimate and
such as might be made in any other
form of litigation"
Points In the Decision.
In coming to its decision the court
says:
IF such abuses as those complained
of are permitted to continue, untram-
meled, It would be only a question
of time until they would sap the
strength and patriotism from the very
foundations of our government. over
turn the republic. destroy our free in
situations and substitute. in lieu there
of. some other form of govern
ment.'
The principal indictments against
the companies are:
THAT they have created and become
members of pool, trust, agreement,
confederation, combination, arrange
ment and understanding among them
selves for the following purposes:
First, to regulate, fix and control
the prices to be paid by retail dealers
and others in the state of Missouri for
the refined products of petroleum sold
and offered for sale in this state.
Second, to control and limit the
trade In refined products of petroleum
in this state.
Third, to control, limit and prevent
competition in the business Of buying
and selling refined products Of petro-
leum in this state between themselves
and others engaged in like business,
and,
Fourth, to mislead the public into
the belief that they were separate and
distinct corporations and pursuing an
independent business as legitimate
competitors in the purchase and sale
OF the products Of petroleum"
Suit Started Four Years Ago.
The states custer suit against the
Standard, Republic and Waters Pierce
was Instituted almost four
years ago. The evidence was taken
In st. Louis and in New York, where
H. H. Rogers, principal, was COM
PEELED to testify before special COM
At the same time Rockefeller was
compelled to remain in New Jersey to
avoid Hadley subpoena service.