Evening star., 1938-01-22

MADISON, Wis, Jan. ga Fed
eral Court jury today convicted l6
major oil companies and 80 of their
officials on charges of conspiring to
raise and fix MidWestern gasoline
prices during 1885 and 1886 in viola
tion of the Sherman Antitrust Act.
The verdict was read before Federal
Judge Patrick T. Stone and the de-
PENDANTS at 1929 am
Concerning the verdict Attor-
ney General Cummings said here
today:
Naturally am gratified. 1t is
q major victory in the enforcement
OF the antitrust law and my con-
gratulations are extended to Messrs.
Chaffetz, Levin Crawford and the
members of their staff for the ad-
mlrable way in which the Govern
ment case was presented.D
The jury, pondering the voluminous
evidence that had been introduced dur
ing the l6 weeks of the momentous
trial, deliberated about eight hours be-
fore reaching its decision.
1t received the case yesterday after
noon, retired at 1870 pm. and was
ready with the verdict shortly after re-
convening at $50 Am. today.
Largest Since Standard.
The case involved one of the most
important Government antitrust pro-
ceedings in many years. It was the
biggest action directed at the petroleum
industry since the old Standard Oil
trust was dissolved.
Defendants Will Appeal.
Nearly an hour elapsed from the
time the jury was ready to report
before all the defendants could be
rounded up and summoned to the
courtroom.
When the jury came into the court
room Judge Stone ascended the bench
and received the verdict from the
foreman.
He read off the list of the Defend
ants-some of the largest oil corpora
tions in the country, their presidents,
vice presidents and managers-and
then announced all had been found
guilty as charged.
Then the judge polled the jury.
H. H. Thomas of Madison, a de-
tense attorney, Immediately informed
the court the defendants would file
motions for new trial in the three
day period required by law.
Judge Stone said he would set
Nafo 1otor for oro,,r,o,fc ~, Tho mn.
tions. When and If they are denied,
he will pass sentence.
The defendant corporations are
liable to maximum fines of $1,000
EACH The individuals face similar
fines or up to a year in prison, or
both.
Although Chief Defense Counsel
William j. Donovan said he had no
statement to make, other members
Of the defense staff have said they
were ready to carry the case to the
Supreme Court if necessary.
Original List Larger.
Originally % oil companies, three
trade publications and 46 individuals
went on trial, but the number was
reduced by directed verdicts as the
trial progressed.
The corporations on trial were:
Socony-Vacuum Oil Co., Wadhams
Oil CO. (Socony-Vacuum subsidiary.
Standard Oil Co. of Indiana, Pure Oil
Co., Sinclair Refining Co., Barnsdall
Refining Co., Shell Petroleum Corp,
ekelly Oil Co., Continental Oil Co.,
Mid Continent Petroleum Corp, Cities
Service Co., Empire Oil & Refining Co.
(Cities Service subsidiary, Phillips
Petroleum Co., Globe Oil & Refining
Co. Of Kansas, Globe Oil g. Refining
Co. Of Illinois, Globe Oil e. Refining
Co. of Oklahoma.
The individual defendants were:
Edward G. Seubert, Chicago, presi-
dent, Standard Oil Co. of Indiana.
Alan jackson, Chicago, vice presi-
dent in charge of sales, Standard OIL
Co. of Indiana.
Jacob France, Baltimore, president,
Midcontinent Petroleum Corp.
I. A. O'Shaughnessy, Minneapolis,
president, Globe Oil and Refining Cos.
A. v. Borque. Tulsa, Okla, secretary,