Sistersville oil review. [volume] (Sistersville, W. Va.) 1896-1901, 1898-11-23
Is Now on the Stand-Attorney
General Monnett in the
ROLE OF QUEsTIoNER.
Legal Talent Looking After De-
PENDANTS Interests.

on Wednesday, attorney general
F. S. Monnett came to the city this
morning and began at Cable &
Parmenter's law office the taking
of the dispositions of employees and
officers of the Buckeye Pipe Line
Co. for the purpose, if possible, of
taking away the corporate rights of
that institution in Ohio.
The defendant is represented by
Hon. Virgil P. Kline, OF Cleveland,
M. F. Elliott, of New York, and S.
S. Wheeler, of this city. The work
began shortly after 9 o'clock this
morning, and the substance of what
transpired up until 2:3o this after
noon is given below.
Mr.. D. ]. O'Day, being sworn,
testified as follows:
SUPT. D. J. o'DAY.
Mr.. O'Day stated that he was
general superintendent for the de-
PENDANT company, with headquarters
in this city, his duties being to
look after the interests of the COM
pany in a general way. Said he
looked after the extension of pipe
lines to connect with producers
tanks. His next superior officer
was Daniel O'Day, vice president
Of the Buckeye Pipe Line Co. Said
he also made reports to general
manager c. N. Payne, of 26 Broad
way New York. Said he some.
times reported to both of these
officials; that he had charge of no
written contracts with producers of
oil or the Solar Refining Company.
Said that John Page was assistant
superintendent and looked after
field work when he was absent.
Said that Ralph L. Bates was cash
Ter or agent for the company. Cash
paid out for purchases passed
through his hands. E. R. Foster
was hired by the company and is
employed under the direction of
Mr.. Bates. Mr.. R. c. Warner was
also employed under Mr.. Bates di-
rection as an accountant. Mr..
Bates has power to sign checks.
Witness said that the company
transports oil through its pipe lines
at rate of 20 cents per barrel. Did
not know by whom such rate was
established. Said that the Lima
oil fields were divided into three
districts. He had charge of the
three districts, but had assistants
Said there was other pipe line dis
trict beside the Lima district. One
the Macksburg District the other
the Trunk Line District. The lat
ter starts at Cygnet. The Lima
division was a gathering system,
gathering oil from all points of the
Lima field. The gathering division
gathers and delivers oil for storage
in tanks or to consumers within the
witness jurisdiction, or to the
Trunk Line. Records of deliveries
are kept in Mr.. Bates department.
Trunk Line was notified OF any de.
liveries to 1t.
Witness said Mr.. J. E. Sullivan
was employed in his Office as a
stenographer. Said Mr.. McLaugh
lin was employed under Joseph
Seep as purchasing agent, to pur
chase oil. Witnesses has nothing
to do with Mr.. McLaughlin's de-
partment or duties. Said J. E.
Orthwine was clerk employed I'm
der Mr.. Bates. Said Mr.. Stricken
was a book keeper also. Said B
Kaufman is employed in the tele
graph department of the Buckeye
lpS AluS SOApdAy. SolO w. w
Splane, of Oil City, was superin-
tendent of that department. The
company owns its own telegraph
lines. K ow nothing of any con
tract relation with the Western
Union Telegraph company. Wit
ness said he made reports of field
matters by telegraph to Daniel
O'Day or G. N. Payne, Joseph Dut
ton is employed as storekeeper
Gen. L. F. Ellis employed to KEEP
records of pipes laid or taken up
Said Mr.. Ellis made reports to au-
ditor B. B. McLouth at Oil City
Storehouse reports are also made
to Mr.. McLouth. Bills for pur
chases of materials and labor also
go to Mr.. McLouth for approval.
Bills for local expenditures might
be approved by Mr.. Bates or Mr..
Page. J. R. Campbell, of Oil City
is the treasurer. Witness stated