The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-22
TRUST BURNS IT'S BOOKS
SENSATIONAL CHARGES AGAINST
THE STANDARD OIL COMPANY.
Ohio's Attorney General Trying to
Prove Evidence Has Been Destroyed
Testimony of Employees.

CLEVELAND, o., Dec. 21.-Developments
of most sensational nature in the Standard
Oil investigation came to light to-day when
Attorney General Monnet began taking de-
positions for the purpose of proving that
the Standard Oil Company, just previous
to the issuance of the order by the Supreme
Court that the books of the company be
produced in evidence, had destroyed large
number of its books Upon the strength
of information received by the attorney
general from reliable business men and at
torneys that it could be proved that the
Standard Oil Company had burned lot of
its books, journels, ledgers and other valu-
able books, the State served notice upon
the Standard Oil Company that dispositions
would be taken before a notary in the
office of Attorney Harry c. Mason in this
city to-day.
The most important witness produced was
John Darmstetter, of No. 13 Center court,
rabbi of Bohemian church. Rabbi Darn
stetter testified that one evening three or
four weeks ago he went into the saloon of
Z. H. Pollock, at No. 131 Croton street, to
see Pollock, who is an official of his church.
He said that at the time Pollock wait
ing upon several Bohemian laborers, who
were employees of the Standard Oil Com
pany, and he sat down till the saloon
keeper got through with his customers.
Darmstetter said that one of the men in the
saloon was quite hilarious, and was asked,
What are you fellows doing so much treat
ing for?'' Two of the men then engaged in
a conversation, and, flashing roll of bills,
said they had got some good stuff work
ing overtime. One of them, who was a
CeamSter, said he and another teamSter had
loaded UP a lot of books at the Euciid-ave,
nue. office of the Standard Oil Company and
had taken them to the company's furnace,
where they were burned.
Attorney General Monnett secured the res
idence and name of one of the drivers, and
when a constable went to subpoena him to-
day the man exclaimed: My job is gone
If l have to testify!
Another of the teamSterS of the Standard
Company, when informed that he would
probably be called on to testify is reported
to have said: "They can't catch me-. What
we took were boxes, and l can't tell what
they contained
Rabbi Darmstetter, when placed upon the
witness stand, was very unwilling to testify,
saying that if he did so it would injure the
members of his congregation. many Oh
whom were employed by the Standard.
NOV oe the standar,d oil COMPANY. testified
that on Saturday before Thanksgiving DAY
he was ordered to go to the office of the
company on Euclid avenue and carry some
boxes from there to the company ware
house on independence street. lie SAID ne
got the boxes, sixteen in number, and de,
livered them as ordered. he SAID ne ola
not know the names of the employees VINO
turned the boxes over to him, nor those who
received them at the warehouse. In dimen-
sions they were about two feet long ana
eighteen inches broad. He declared tnat
he did not know what was in them and de-
MED having made the declaration in sa-
loon that they contained account books.
Cornelius O'Hearn, brother of the preceu-
ing witness, had charge of horses for the
Standard Company. He was very much
agitated and his testimony did not add any
thing to the information already obtained
Attorney General Monnett is very desir-
Gus of placing on the stand Frank Rookie
Teller brother of John d. Rockefeller and
president of the Ohio Standard Oil Com
pany, and l.. H Severance, late treasurer
Of the Ohio Company. Constable George
Arnold was given the subpoenaeS to serve
to-day, but was unable to find these two
gentlemen. He is satisfied that they are IN
the city and will endeavor to ind tnem