Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1911-05-24
STANDARD OIL co.
MUST Be DISSOLVED
U. S. Supreme Court Holds 1t to
Be a Monopoly
COMPANY WILL OBEY DECREE
Six Months Given Corporation for a
Reorganization

Inc Otanuaru VII company was
declared by the United States Su-
preme Court last week to be no
nopoly in restraint OF trade, and
that tribunal orders it's dissolution
within six months. Inasmuch as
the Standard Oil Company has dis
counted the action by preparing for
it long beforehand, it will not make
a great revolution in its business.
Neither does the decision set a
precedent for other trusts, but each
will stand and be tried on its mer-
it's. An important point in the de-
cision and one that is shared in by
business interests everywhere, is
that it will help business
Everyone wf0has seen the steady
growth of the monopoly known as
the Standard Oil Company, which,
because of its potency for harm and
the dangerous example which it's
continuous existence affords, is an
open and enduring menace to all
freedom Of trade aud a byword and
reproach to all modern economic
Methods" is at last scotched or at
least made to understand that there
is greater force in this country
than the mere power OF money. and
that it must change its methods.
1t may live, but must also let live.
According to the layman point
OF view, the Sherman antitrust law,
If meaning anything, was intended
to strive at just such methods of re
straint OF trade, as have for many
years been practiced by the Stand
ard Oil Company. To their mind
the only wonder is that the decision
just handed down by the Supreme
Court OF the United States, ordering
a dissolution of that corporation has
not long since been rendered. The
statute is exceptionally plain in
definition and inte1dment. 1t pro-
vides:
Section l. Every contract, com.
bination in the form of trust or 9TH
erwise, or conspiracy, in restraint
of trade or commerce among the sew
eral States, or with foreign nations,
is hereby declared illegal. ANY
person who shall make any such con-
tract or engage in any such combi-
nation or conspiracy shall be deem
ed guilty of misdemeanor, etc.
Section 2. Every person who
shall monopolize or attempt to mo-
nopolize or combine to conspire with
any other person or persons. to mo-
nopolize any part OF the trade or
commerce among the several States,
or with foreign nations, shall be
deemed guilty of misdemeanor, u
etc.
Coming we'll within the inhibiting
provisions were these offences
charged and proved against the
Standard Oil Company:
Contracts with Competitors in
restraint OF trade.
Restraint and monopolization by
control of pipe lines, and unfair
practices against competing pipe
lines.
Unfair methods of competition
such as local price-cutting at points
where necessary to suppress com
petition.
by oppressive methods tsecur
ed processes for refining oil and OBJ
tanning control of all newly discov
cred fields.
1T caused rebates, preferences
and other discriminatory pi actices in
favor at it by combination with rail
road companies.
Espionage OF the business. o
competitors, the operation of bogus
independent companies and pay
ment OF rebates on oil, with the like
intent.
1T obtained and acquired a ma
; iority of the stocks of the variou.
. corporations engaged in purchasing
transporting, refining, shipping an(
selling oil among the various State.
5 and Territories and with foreign
. countries. -,
The Democratic horizon is bright