Sistersville oil review. [volume] (Sistersville, W. Va.) 1896-1901, 1898-11-23

ors are A. M. McGregor, New York;
John D. Archibald, New York; l.
D. Clark, New York; Martin Sny-
der, Cleveland, and F. G. Borges,
of this city.
Mr.. Van Dyke was asked to state
what changes had been made in the
directory of the Solar Refining COM
pany during the past few years.
The defense objected on the
grounds that the answer might tend
10 criminate the witness, and after
considerable argument upon the
subject, he was asked to state who
the directors were prior to July I,
1898.
Counsel for the defense still OBJ
iected, and advised witness not to
answer.
Attorney General Monnett held
that the answer to the question
should be given, and requested the
notary, Mr.. Neff. to enforce the
order.
Attorney Kline made forcible
argument to the notary, claiming
that the question put to this witness
was for the puspose of proving the
averments in the bill and prove col
fusion between the Buckeye Pipe
Line and Solar Refining companies;
that the averment that TIE collision
was entered into In 1886 and was
continued on to the date of the FL
ing of the bill and after the enact
ment of the law providing a penalty
of fine, Imprisonment or both.
He claimed that by the attorney,
generals own statements he ex-
pected to prove by the questions
asked the witnesses that there was
an illegal collision between the
two companies and that the answer
might tend to criminate the wit
ness.
At the request of the notary the
question was read and Mr.. Van
Dyke. replied:
II decline to answer upon the
advice OF the attorneys, for the rea-
son that it might tend to criminate
me-"
Have you any further grounds
Mr.. Van Dyke?" asked the notary.
mo. have none"
Mr.. Neff stated that inasmuch as
the questisn referred to time prior
to the enactment of the law, he
could not consider the objection
we'll taken. and ordered the witness
to answer Mr.. Monnett's question.
The council for the defense still
objected, and Mr.. Van Dyke again
declined to answer.
II find you guilty of contempt"
said the notary, but do not care to
assume the responsibility of enforc-
ing the order without time to con-
slider the matter more fully and
give it further investigation. The
counsel present wish to complete
their present work here by 1890
o'clock in order to leave the city
during the afternoon, and upon the
advise of counsel, and as it will be
10 the satisfaction of all parties, /
will not order you committed now.
l will certify your contempt to the
supreme court for its action"
The attorney general asked a
number of other questions concern
ing the relations of the Solar Re-
fning Co with the Buckeye Pipe
Line Co., and concerning Standard
Oil Trust certificates, dividends, etc.
to all of which the objections of the
counsel for the defense, the order
of the notary for the witness to
answer and the reply of the witness
declining to answer on the grounds
that the answers might criminate
him, were recorded, and at 1890
o'clock formal adjournment of the
examination was taken.
The records of the dispositions
prepared by the stenographers will
be extended, signed by the wit
nesses and attested by the notary
and then forwarded to the supreme
court.