The Mena weekly star. (Mena, Ark.) 1904-1977, 1911-05-18
OIL TRUST
MUST QUIT
SUPREME COURT UPHOLDS
ANTITRUST LAW AND SETS
LIMIT OF SIX MONTHS ON
LIFE OF STANDARD OIL
COMBINE.

clSlOn late yesterday AFTERNOON
against the Standard Oil Company
the court holding there is a viola
tion of the first and second sections
of the Sherman antitrust law. Il
affirms the decision of the lower
court, and the corporation must dis
solve. 1t is allowed six months to
wind up its affairs.
The court interpreted the Sher-
man antitrust law so as TO limit
its application to acts of undue
restraint of trade. It was on this
point that the only discordant note
was heard in the court. Justic Har-
Ian dissented, claiming that cases
already decided by the court had
determined once for all that the
word undue" or unreasonable
or similar words were not in the
statute. He declared that the
reasoning of the court in arriving
at its findings was in effect legis-
lation which belonged in every in
stance to congress and out of the
courts.
The Press on the Decision.
New York, May f6.-Without ex-
ception the morning newspapers of
this city commenting editorially to-
day upon the Standard Oil decision,
hold that the judgment handed
down by the supreme court will be
of vast benefit to the business in
terests of the country. The dicision
is regarded as most conservative
one, clearly protecting the legiti-
mate business of the country and
at the same time knocking out IL
legal combinations. Extracts from
the various editorials follow:
The Herald-"The supreme court
has lifted an incubus from the BUSH
ness men of the country by its in
depreciation of the antitrust act.
1t overthrows the assertion CT
lower courts that any combination
in restraint of trade is violation
of the act, and that the reasonable
ness of combination was no de-
fense. Business interests feel this
morning for the first time in years
what the law means and the path is
free to moral activity and pros
perity."
The American-"The Standard
Oil Company has been tried, con-
victed, and the decree of the court
dissolving it is to be executed In
some fashion in six months. The
legitimate business will not suffer
any attack. The decision is liberal
and is certainly conservative. II
leaves wide open the natural chan
nels of industrial development"
What Cannon Says.
"The decision is a victory for the
government. The decision of the
court below is affirmed with GER
tain notifications intended to per-
NIT the corporation to adjust ITSELF
to new conditions without subject
ing it to hardship" declared ex-
Speaker Cannon.
Will Propose Amendment.
Senator Kenyon, former prose
cutor of the trust, said: II am as
strong new as ever for my amend
ment to the Sherman antitrust law
! still believe that we should pro-
vide that those guilty of violating
laws should be punished by con-
flnement. II is not sufficient, in my
judgement, to limit the penalty tt
fine and dissolution of the OBJ
noxious corporations and combf-
nations found guilty of violating
the law"
LaF0iiettc UphoIds Harlan.
Il must concede," said Senator
LaFollette, that Justice Harlan
with his long experience and grea
legal ability has fairly construed
the position taken by the court. i
cannot be possible that he has erre'
in asserting that the court has b.
judicial construction, written int
the Sherman antitrust law Ian
guage by which the great combl
nations and trusts have been en-
deavoring to persuade congress t
add to it by way Of Legislative
amendment"
Culbertson of Texas With Him.
The opinion OF the majority a
to the construction Of the act !
pure judicial legislation" SAL
Senator Culbertson, for which tn
trusts have been contending 10
fifteen years, and which will be use
by them to further their combl
nations and conspiracies agains
trade.n
Standard VIII Comply at Once.
New York, May i6.-Complet
obedience to the mandate OF tn
United States supreme court OF
dering the dissolution of the Stan
dafd Oil Company was pledged 70
day by M. f. Elliott. general sole
ltor of the company. Despite Tn
attitude of secrecy malntaine
around the Standard Oil building
~ Broadway as TO the real piaf
OF the company, it was learned I'M
the directors had been for sewers
months Manning 4 compiete re