The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1910-03-12
final HEARING
OF TRUST CASE
Supreme Court to Hear Evidence
in Great Standard Oil
Case Monday.
Will HAVE A BROAD EFFECT
Commercial World Awaits Decision Of
court of Last Resort" in Case
With Deep 'interest-Ad-
vanced on Docket.


washington, ID. c., March 12.-The
momentous case of the government
against the Standard Oil Trust which,
eventually involves the dissolution OF
the gigantic corporation, is on the eve
of being heard before the court of last
resort, the United States Supreme
court. from the decision of which
there is no appeal The case having
been advanced upon the docket, will
come up for final hearing next Mon
day. No case that has been submit
ted to the United States Supreme
Court in modern times ever attracted
more general interest, and lawyers,
men of finance, politicians, men OF
Industry and economists agree in the
opinion that this case, together with
the somewhat similar case against the
American Tobacco company, present
for the consideration and final decis-
ion of the highest tribunal of the coun-
try practically the entire range OF
modern Industrial organizations and
substantially every feature of the
trust question:" so far as it falls with
II
trust law.
II is admitted that the Standard
oil case is the more important % the
two cases, as it affects the widest
range of combinations and contracts
which may be claimed To offend against
the Sherman law. Under these cir
cumstances and as this act in it's
tG
number of business and industrial or
ganizations throughout the country,
the final decision of the Supreme court
is awaited with intense interest. In
view of the delicate relation which
"the market" "Wall Street" and the
financial world, generally, bears to
the news and gossip of the three great
branches OF the government II viii
be readily understood that the de-
cision, be IL what it may. is sure to
produce a profound impression, to be
felt throughout the financial and
business channels of the country.
Irdustrially. practically the whole
scope OF modern corporate organiza-
tion is in one way or another involv-
trusts are interested in the outcome,
which may affect their very exis-
tencc. If the Supreme Court should
sustain tho judgments of the lower
court, 1t may necessitate industrial re-
adjustments of far-reaching effect.
Political leaders. realizing that, what
ever the final decision may be it VIII
hn
%al and financial but also the po-
litical situation In this country. ex-
press the hope that the court should
il beside i'm favor of the Government,
will ut the same time, point out some
measure of relief which. from any
point of view. now appears outside
the possible range of legislation
The present case, which will come up
i'm the Supreme Court next week on
an appeal of the Standard I'll trust
was begun November Is, J 49, wheh
the complaint was filed i'm a. United
State Circuit court at st. Louis for
hearing by the four judges of the
Eighth Judicial Circuit In its peti-
ton the government complained that
strain the trade and commerce III
petroleum. commonly called crude OIL
in refined oil and in the other pro-
ducts of petroleum among the seVeral
states and territories OF the uniteo
States and the District of C"iumbla
and with foreign nations, and to
monopolize the said commerce." John
and Henry NJ. Flagler were named us
the originators of the alleged conspir-
acy. The bill asserted that between
1870 and 1882 Henry H. Rogers, Jon
ID. Archbold. oliver II. Payne an'
Chas. NJ. Pratt Joined the conspiracy
which eliminated with the organiza'
ton of the standard oil Company o.
New Jersey in 1899. II was ais'
charged that in their alleged e1ort'
to monopolize the oil business the de-
fendants had solicited and received
rebates on shipments. and later ac
quired control Of various p'pe lih"
which were merged into the Natloni
Transit Company.
Service was had upon the def'n
NbiiS III VI A'N'f
frs, legal battle came in the folio"
ing month. when the defence tri''
without success to have the service re
vckgd on all concerned save the Na'
ers-Pierce oil Company of Misso'r
b,csuse Il was the only defenoai
resident I'm the judicial district
which the suit was filed. This cen
tention was overruled and the com
pany's answer was filed April ?. lso'
II Included thirty-seven exceptions !
the government petition. Argumen
ON these took place at ST Paul Ma
20 1907. and the four judges over
ruled every one of the exception
The taking OF testimony was III
trusted 10 Franklin Ferris Of St Loui
who was appointed special master ~
chancery In June. 1907. He HE'D ~
volumlnous report in St Louis o