The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-03-15
OIL TRUST BEGINS
IT'S FIGHT TO EXIST
Great Legal Battle on in
the Supreme Court.
OPENING NOT SPECTACULAR
Attorney General WfckePsham and
Government Forces Oppose CorpO-
ration Lawyers Pleasing Ex-
change of Courtesies Preeedes Ses-
acknowledgements Suppressed.

Across the last ditch of campaign Of
years there began yesterday the last bat
tie between the government and the
Standard Oil.
There was little that was spectacular
about the opening Of the great legal bat
tie which has controlled the stock market
for months and influenced legislation for
a session OF Congress.
The corporation is held to be a combi-
nation in restraint of trade and COM
merce. In violation Of the Sherman anti
trust act.
Court Extends Time.
In view OF the great Importance OF the
case, the court enlarged the time for the
hearing from four hours. the customary
allotment, 10 twelve hours, which is 10 be
equally divided between counsel for the
Standard OIL Company and the govern
menL
An order TO this effect was made upon
motion OF Attorney General Wickersham.
who pointed 70 the great importance OF
the case. its complexity and the enor-
nous record coming up from the trial
in the lower court as reasons for granting
additional time for argument.
John G. NiIburn, in defense Of the
corporation, might have been going to
tell the eight justices Of the court his
best after dinner story instead of COM
pressing into four hours OF effort the
history of the greatest combination OF
capital which the law knows.
May it please your honor" he began
pleasantly. stepping to q table upon
which were spread volume after volume
of the records of the long case.
Justice Moody Absent.
Telegraph boys hurried out with dis
patches which would tell WAN street
that the great case had begun, and the
lawyers and members of Congress.
packed closely inside the bar, leaned
forward to catch the first words. Only
eight of the nine justices were sitting.
Justice Moody is i'll in Massachusetts.
and could not participate in this case
were he here, having been connected
with its inception as Attorney General
At one end Of the long table Of records
and law books sat John G. Johnson. OF
Philadelphia, porting over a brief. His
fingers ruf1ed up his gray hair. and he
seemed not to share in the general in
terest ~ the argument Of his associates.
Mr.. Johnson viii close the argument
for Standard oil after Frank B. kellogg.
trust buster Of the Roosevelt admin
istration. has stated the case Of the
government
Then viii come Attorney General Wick
ersham. who has appeared in but one
case in this court since his selection by
President Taft. that against the Ameri-
can Tobacco Company.
The wide interest in the legal aspects
Of the case was shown by the greater
number OF prominent attorneys from this
and other cities who were present and
listened to the long argument
The interest of the public was mani
tested by the long line that formed at
the entrance as soon as the doors OF the
Capitol were opened.
Before the court marched solemnly to
their places there had been a cordial ex-
change of greetings between the attor-
neys in the great legal battle
Exchanged Greetings,
AttSA meg NeLetdl NickeTshdm stepped
quickly across the space given over 10
the bar and said: How are you, John
SOM" There was a hearty clasp of hands
and Mr.. Understands swiftly moving
coat tails swung around while he greeted
John G. Milburn. who soon after offered
TO tell the court the story OF Standard
Oil
Then Mr.. Wickersham made his quick
progress back to the far corner OF the en-
closure for the bar Frank B. Kellogg
wanted TO tell him something. He took
hold Of his coat lapel as though he was
afraid the Attorney General wanted to
escape and whispered in his ear.