El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1912-04-14

Is Disguised With Discovery
of Trust Activity in State
Of Texas.
rs NOT IN ACCORD
WITH GOV. COLQUITT

Austin, Texas. April lS.-His every
gtep bounded by detectives during a
three weeks trust busting" trip
through the north and east, J. p Light
foot, attorney general OF the state OF
Texas, returned to Austin a few days
ago in such 8 frame Of mind that he is
sued a public statement announcing
that he would retire from politics at the
expiration Of his present term Of Of
Ice.
In view OF the fact that Mr.. Light
foot had a clean field for reelection as
attorney general and that he was
deemed by many Democrats as being in
direct line for the gOvernorship, MS
sudden determination 10 quit the polit-
1cel game has created profound stir
IN the ranks OF the party in this state
Even his closest friends did not have
the slightest intimatiOn Of his pro-
posed retirement until aftar his return
from his recent exciting huht after GER
tain cctopi that are alleged TO be doing
business In Texas in violation Of the
antitrust laws. What he discovered
on that expedition he has not yet pub
lcly divulged-
starts Fight on Oil Combine.
It was while serving as assistant at
torney general that Mr. LightfOOt was
largely responsible Tor iusUituting and
successfully prosecuting suits against
The Waters-Pierce OH company and the
Standard Oh company for violations OF
the antitrust laws. Besides large mon
ey judgments that were obtained
against these Two companies, they were
forever barred by court decree from
again doing business in Texas BY
sanction OF the attorney generals de-
partmeut. the Waters-Pterce OIL com
pany transferred its holdings 10 a new
concern called the Pierce-tOrdyce Oh
association, and the Standard OIL com
pany sold its two oil reftneries IN
Texas and other holdings TO private in
dividuals who afterwards organized the
Magnolia Petroleum company. Ostens1-
H. H..
Lightfoot supposed that the courts
custer decree had been complied with
in every respect unLu testimony OF
witnesses in the recent legal fight be
tween the Waters-Pierce OIL company
and the standard OIL company al St
Louis was 10 the effect that both Of
these concerns were still doing bust
ness in Texas under subtertuges in the
face OF their supposed custer from the
state
This information or charge came as a
distinct shock to Mr., LtghtfoOL de al
once announced that lie would 1nVeSt-
gate the matter and II he found that Z
the charges were supported by facts Z
he would proceed against the two com {
panies ia the courts. He made public 4
his plans Tor gong TO 3 Louis, AeW
York and other cities 70 lnFesJgale {
this matter and other alleged antitrust /
violations.
1t was Immediately following this /
Announcement that detectives appeared 4
upon TIE scene III is DelleNeu LudL one I
or more detectives have been 9
kept in Austin constantly 20 I
shadow 1lr. LightfoOt and his /
assistants in the attorney gen /
erals department The detective game !
commenced warming up when Mr. I
LiehUfOOt and his assistant, John W. &
Brady. reached st. Louis.
ShsdOWlnE Becomes TiresOme.
81 really enjoyed il at first" Mr..
Lightfoot said. but after g time it .
grew mOnOtOnOus and when the sur ]
VIGILANCE became 50 close that L could !
not turn around without a half dozen +
detectives being at my heels, the stu /
alton became intoler2bie.
While in St Louis 1Iessrs. LightfOOt 3
and Brady went through the tran :
script OF testimony given by witnesses g
who charged that the two ousJed oil I
concerns were still doing business in (
Continued on page 29.)