The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-01-18
STANDARD OILS Final fight,
ARGUMENTS THURSDAY BEFORE
U. s. SUPREME COURT.
Charged with Being a Trust Under
the Sherman Law, Standard Oil
Company's Dissolution is Sought by
Federal Governmcnt-Hearin of
Case Delayed by Arguments i'm "To-
baccO Trust" Suit-Story of Action
Against Great Corporation.

Washington, Jan. 11.-Before the
Supreme Court OF the United States
tomorrow, it is expected will begin
the final fight Of the Standard Oil
Company to avoid dissolution as a
trust, under the operation of the
Sherman antitrust law. 1t was
thought the case would he reached
today, but arguments upon the sim
liar case of the so-called Tobacco
Trust" were not Concluded.
When these arg ,,ments are finish
ed, soon after the resumption Of busi-
ness by the Court tomorrow, John G.
Milburn. Of New York, is expected to
lay before 1t the foundation Of the
defense OF the Standard against the
move instituted by the Government.
The suit under the Sherman anti
trust law to dissolve the Standard Oil
Organization was instituted in 1906,
in the Circuit Court Of the United
States for the Eastern district of Mis-
souri,. The proceedings were begun
by the department of justice in the
name of the United States against ia
corporations and seven individuals.
The principal corporation was the
Standard Oil Company, of New Jersey.
From 1882 to the present time this
company is said to have operated re-
hneries itself, but in 1899 its stock
was increased to 100000, 900 so as
to enable it to acquire the stock of
nineteen other oil companies, which in
turn owned a large number of COM
panies. concerned in the oil business.
The Standard Oil Company, of New
Jersey. was designated as a holding
company and is similar to the Amer
lean Tobacco Company. the organi-
zation Of which was considered by the
Court during the last few days.
The sc IN individuals named In
the suit as defendants were John ID.
ISOCkeIGllCr.
Henry M. Flagler. Henry III. Rogers.
John ID. Archbold. Oliver ii. Payne
and Charles M. Pratt. The part these
men are said to have played in the
alleged violation of the Sherman anti
trust law has been summarized by
the Government as follows:
About 1870 the Rockefellers and
Flagler conceived the purpose of
controlling the petroleum trade. both
domestic and export. and obtaining a
monopoly thereof. They entered in
TO a conspiracy to accomplish this
purpose, which from time to time
took the form Of various combina-
tions. Shortly after 1870 the Rookie
fellers and Flagler were joined In the
conspiracy by Rogers, Archbold.
Payne and Pratt.
The form which the alleged con-
spiracy took is described by the Gov
eminent as being from 1870 to 1883,
combination between large
plumber Of manufacturers, who acted
In harmony and whose stock interests
were pooled in the hands of three
trustees in 1879 From 1888 to 1899.
the form Of the alleged combination
was that of a trust agreement, where
by the stock Of large number Of
corporations was placed in the hands
OF trustees, who managed the prop
erty. From 1899 to the present time,
the combination is alleged to have
taken the form Of holding COM
pany. the Standard Oil Company OF
New Jersey.
The four Judges in the Circuit
Court found the Standard Oil was an
illegal combination in restraint Of
Interstate commerce and was also
monopolizing the oil trade. A decree
was entered enjoining the holding
company from exercising any control
over the subsidiary companies, and
enjointnR the subsidiary companies
from paying any dividends to the
holding company. All were enjoined
from engaging in Interstate COM
merce until the illegal combination
was discontinued.