Los Angeles herald., 1910-03-17

FLAYS TRUST
STANDARD OIL ARRAIGNED AS
NATIONAL SCANDAL
NO WONDER 1T WAXED RICH AND
GREAT, SAYS PROSECUTOR
John G. johnson Closes for Defendant
Corporation, and Supreme Court
Takes Case Under Advise
ment--Court Crowded
tAssoclated press1

WASHINGTON March 16.-Final ar
gument of the famous suit to dis
solve the Standard Oil company OF
New Jersey, as a conspiracy and as
monopoly in violation of the Sher-
man antitrust law, was made today
and the supreme court took the mat
ter under consideration.
The third day in the contest of coun-
sci before the court was memorable
one, not only because of the argu-
ments, but because of the interest
manifested in the proceedings on the
part of the bench.
Rules Of the court prohibiting spec
tators standing in its presence were
swept aside, and members Of congress
stood around the wall of the room.
Not in years have so many persons
been packed into the little chamber
1t fell to Attorney General Wicker
sham, on the side of the government,
and to John G. Johnson, for the de-
fense, to, make the closing remarks.
In addition, D. T. Watson, another
Standard Oil counsel addressed the
court earlier in the day
Wickersham Taunts Opponents
Mr.. Wickersham taunted his oppon-
ents for desiring to cast the veil of
oblivion over the past" He spoke of
that past as containing a national
scandal, which the courts and the leg
islatures were called upon to put down.
He emphasized the position that ths
reorganization of 1899 gave the Stan
dard Oil more solidifed organization
than ii possessed before, an organi-
zation that prevented the subsidiary
companies from becoming competing
concerns.
1T brought one of the proudest rail-
roads in the world to its knes,' said
the attorney general, in speaking of
the standard Oil when organized in
the 70's as the Standard Oil company
of Ohio.
1T compelled terms never before
heard of in the world. It not only re-
quired rebates on its own shipments
but it levied tribute on the shipments
Of its competitors.
What wonder it became rich. II
grew richer and richer until 1t became
a national scandal; until the courts
and the legislatures were appealed ia
Then and only then did it consent that
the railroads might carry other peo-
ples business on the same terms as
its own. That was the period of ac-
quisition Mr.. Milburn told you about
Monday"
In closing he urged the court not to
be Influenced by the cry that this pro-
ceeding was a blow at business, be
cause such cry has been made often
and proved groundless.'
johnson Closes Argument
The closing address by Mr.. johnson
was partly a reply to Mr.. Wickersham
He interpreted what he designated as
the new doctrine of potential COM
petition" as an attempt to require each
individual to compete with himself.
Turning to another phase OF the con-
troversy, he asked:
How on earth could we monopolize
the manufacture of refined oil when we
control only II per cent of the crude oil
output?"
"Are you going to conduct business
on the race track principle and put a
handicap on the man who possesses
wealth? Are you going to taboo
wealth?" he asked.
I'VE do have pipe lines" he shouted.
I'VE do have engines and boilers, but is
that any reason why our competitors
should get heat and steam from us?
There is 10 federal law requiring that,
thank God, as yet. I am speaking of
the present Your honors may be
called upon-not in my lifetime-to pass
upon a law that says how much man
shall own. But that question is not
now before you"
Mr.. Johnson next turned to the sub
iect of unfair competition.
There are plenty of laws that could
reach unfair competition. if 1t be lille
cal" he said THE law that permits
a 500. 900 900 fine to be laid was not a
PickwiclIian law"
In closing he pleaded with the court
not to strike down a legitimate busi-
ness. or deprive the men he repre-
sented of their organization"