Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-03-16
ARE UNDER HOT FIRE BIG LAWYERS TALK
HoIse TrlIants Incur Dis Closing Arguments Heard in
pleasure Of Leaders, Standard Oil Case.
RIGID RlyE IN PROSPECT JUSTICES ASK QUESTIONS
Loss Of Salary Alb Running nteogatons
sence Without Aimed Attorney Watson
SEQUEL TO THE THROWD0WN SMILE ON WICKERSHAMS FACE
;n pecounittne
;s.iu. Annronriaton Bill Coun
Closing Arguments Heard in
Standard Oil Case.
JUSTICES ASK QUESTIONS
Running Fire of Interrogations
Aimed at Attorney Watson.
SMILE ON WICKERSHAM'S FACE
Attorney General Apparently Well
Pleased With Trend of Opposing
Counsel's ArgumeNt.

The closing arguments in the great
contest over the dissolution of the Stand
ard Oil Corporation are being made this
afternoon in the Supreme Court of the
United States. BY 4:30 o'clock the last
word will have been said by contendlns
counsel. according to arrangements mace
Monday and the entire case will be
before the high tribunal for final decision.
How long the court will take to consider
the question no one processes TO KNOW,
but many are guessing that the decision
will not be announced earlier than the
first or the middle of May.
Three of the greatest lawyers in the
United States had been preparing for
weeks for this day. ID. I. Watson OF
Pittsburg and John G. Johnson from
Philadelphia have been priming for the
Standard OILS battle on the final day.
while Attorney General Wickersham has
been delving into the intricacies of the
case with q view of making the final
argument for the government.
Even more lawyers were crowded into
the little courtroom to listen to the
arguments than had been there on either
of the two preceding days of the hear
ing Every one of the sixty seats pro-
vided for spectators was occupied and
three or four times as many waited out
side the courtroom for an opportunity
to enter.
Mr.. Watson's Argument.
Mr. Watson had begun his argument
late Yesterday One of his tasks was
to convince the court, if possible. that
the only act of alleged conspiracy or
monopoly before it was the combining of
corporations in 1899. This was the only
act the circuit court of the United States
for the eastern district of Missouri had
decreed against. and as the government
had not appealed he argued the Supreme
Court could consider none of the other
alleged monopolistic activities talked
about by opposing counsel.
He is a familiar figure in the Supreme
Court room. His peculiarities in address
ing the court are well known. A new
supply of quill pens are provided ny
court employees after he concludes an
address to the court. because Of his fond
ness for jamming the pens, points down.
ward. against the table with all his
power, by way Of emphasizing an argu-
ment.
Mr. Johnson is likewise seen often in
the Supreme Court. He presented the
principal argument on behalf of the
American Tobacco Company at it's recent
hearing before the court, and he is to
appear again. later in the week one of
the leading counsel in the corporation
tax cases
Mr. Wickersham's first great contest
before the court since he became Attor-
ney General was in the tobacco ca Sc. To-
days was his second
Questions From Bench.
Scarcely had Mr. Watson taken up the
thread of his argument of yesterday to
the effect that the only question before
the court was the combining of 1899,
when Justice Mckenna interrupted
DO you say there is before this
court only the question of combining
asked the justice.
Nothing before or nothing following.
replied the counsel. The lower court
put the case purely and simply on that
fact
why did they decree the distribution
of this Stock?' insisted Justice Nc
kenna.
''Al. that's what / want to know said
Mr.. Watson. They said they did so be-
cause YOU ordered them 10 do so in the
Northern Securities case
Mr.. Watson then went on 10 argue that
the Northern Securities case did no such
thing. He commanded the attention of
the largest audience that has crowded