The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-12-22
DAILY, SO A YEAR
CEITrEl A COPY. ~
WEEKLY 2-TIMES-A-WEEK YEAH
TRUSTS BOOKS DESTROYED.
THE STANDARD OIL COMPANY UN-
DER A SERIOUS CHARGE.

Books Alleged 20 Have Disappeared
just Prior TO supreme Courts De-
ciSiOn Ordering Their Production.
Charged That They Knew of the
Decision northumberland
Hauled on Books, but We're
Afraid to Testify.
Cleveland, o., Dec. 21.-Developments OF
a most sensational nature in the Standard
on Investigation came to light to-day,
when Attorney General Monnett began
taking dispositions for the purpose of Prov
ing that The Standard oil Company, Just
previous TO the issuance Of the order by
the Superior Court that the books OF the
company be produced in evidence, had
destroyed a large number Of his books
Upon the strength Of information reeeiv-
ed by the attorney general from reliable
business men and attorneys, that it could
be proved that the Standar OIL Company
had burned a lot of its books, journals,
ledgers and other valuable books, the state
served notice upon the Standard OIL Com
pany that depositions would be taken be-
fore notary in the office of Attorney
Harry c. Mason in this city to-day.
During the investigation OF the Standard
on trust before Commissioners Brins-
made few weeks ago the Standard re-
fused 10 produce its books In evidence.
The matter was taken to the Supreme
Court, and on Dee. that court ordered
the Standard oil Company to produce its
books covering the period from 1892 to
1897, to show whether the company had
paid dividends during that time to the
holders OF the trust certificates
Expected the Decision.
Previous to the decision of the Supreme
Court Virgil II. Kline, attorney for tho
Standard, spent several days In Colum-
bus, and it Is alleged that he received in
formation beforehand In regard TO the
courts decision, and at once notified the
officials Of the Standard OH Company.
Attorney General Monnett expects to bs
able 10 prove that the officials OF the
Standard destroyed their books three or
four nights before the Supreme Court or
dered +. B. Squire, secretary of the COM
pany, to produce the companys books ia
evidence.
The taking Of depositions to prove attor-
ney General Monnetts allegations was
commenced before Harry G. Mason to-
day The most important witness produced
was John Darmstetter of No. l3 Center
Court a rabbi OF a Bohemian Church.
Rabbi Darmstetter testified that ons
evening three or four weeks ago he went
into the saloon Of Il. II. Pollock at No. 13i
Croton street to see Pollock, who Is an
official OF his church. He said that az tire
time Pollock was waiting upon several
Bohemian laborers, who were employees
OF the Standard on Company, and he sat
down until the saloonkeeper got through
with his customers. Darmstetter said that
one Of the men In the saloon was quito
hilarious and asked:
what are you fellows doing so much
treating for?"
Hauled OF a Lot of Books.
Two Of the men engaged In a conversa-
ton, and flashing a roll Of bills, said they
had got some good stuff working over
time. One of them, who was teamster.
said he and another teamster had Loaded
up lot Of books at the Euclid avenue
Office Of the Standard oil Company ana
had taken them 20 the company's fur
naces, where they were burned.
Attorney General Monnett secured the
residence a4d name of one Of the drivers,
and when a constable went TO subpoena
him to-day, the man exclaimed:
my job Is gone if / have 70 tes.
tify."
Another Of the teamsters OF the stand
ard company, when informed that he
WOuid pfObdDly DC tdtitA htStt ~ t~DN@Nes
Is reported as TO have said
"They cant 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 20
testify, saying that II he did so II would
injure the members OF his congregation.
many Of whom were employed by the
Standard OIL Company.
rIr.. f.f ftfa 9TH wit
we're taken to-day but nothing important
was brought out An effort was made TO
subpoena Pollock the saloonkeeper TO-
day, but he was said TO be out of the city,
or at least could not be found.
Frank Rockefeller, T. II. Severance and
+. b. Squire have been subpoenaed as
witnesses.
Teamsters Took Away Boxes.
Edward O'Hearn, teamster In the em-
ploy OF the Standard OH Company, was
found and placed on the witness stand.
He testified that on the Saturday before
Thanksgiving day he was ordered to so
to the office Of the company on Euclid
avenue and carry some boxes from there
10 the company's warehouse on Independ-
ence street He said he got the boxes.
sixteen in number, and believed them as
ordered He declared that he did not know
what was In them, and denied having made
the declaration In a saloon that they con-
tanned account books.
Attorney General Monnett is very iesir-
Gus Of placing on the stand Frank Rocke-
feler, brother Of John ID. Rockefeller, and
president OF the Ohio Standard Oil Com
pany and l.. II. Severance, late treasurer
of the Ohio company. Constable George
Arnold was given the subponaes to serve
to-day, but was unable to find these two
gentlemen He Is satisfied they are in the
city and will endeavor 10 find them to-
piQht.