New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-10-12
STANDARD OIL INQUIRY.
OHIO SUPREME COURTS COMMISSIONERS
BEGIN INVESTIGATION HERE
JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER TEsTIFIEs AS TO THE
STANDARD OIL COMPANY OF OHIO
AND THE TRUST

AND THE TRUST
The investigation concerning the charge that the
Standard Oh Company is in contempt Of the SUI
meme Court OF Ohio was begun yesterday morning
In The psrlor OF the New-Amsterdam Hotel Fourth
ave and Twenty-frst-s Those who are conducting
IL are Frank S. Monet. Acknowledgement OF Ohio
and Special Commissioner Allen T Brinsmade rep
resenting the Supreme Court Of Ohio. They arc as
listed ny Z B. Klnkead. OF Columbus Mr. Kinkead
Yesterday explained the case as follows:
In the case of Attorney General Monett against
the Standard oil Company Of Ohio. judgment was
awarded by the Supreme Court OF Ohio debarrng
the company from participating in or having con-
nection with the trust 1t he'd that the Stand
ard oil agreement; was void. That was in 1892 In
medlately afterward the Standard Oil Trust called
a meeting OF the certificate holders the meeting
being held in New-York City. March 81 1892. AT
that meeting steps were taken dissolve the trust.
and lquidating trustees were appointed to wind up
It's affairs. 90 the trust maintained. 1t has been
six years since that meeting. and all OF that time
has beep taken up in l.quidating the trust
MI Kinkead said that the State OF Ohio spent
much time in trying 10 get at the intention OF the
trust. Mr.. Rockefeller consented TO answer
twenty-six questions. bus more. and the Com
mission is here 20 get those questions answered ny
him Mr. Klnkead alleges that Standard OIL GER
tifcates selling to-day in the open market
higher than they were six years ago, although the
company was supposed TO have dissolved he says
that the Commission has power 10 examine all the
books and papers Of the trust He said he expected
10 have witnesses. besides Mr.. Rockefeller
George Rice, Ohio oil re0ner, and Virgil r. Nina
o. Cleveland. d member OF the company.
John D. Rockefeller arrived at the hotel at 1918
o'clock. shortly after the examination proceedings
were opened by Special Commissioner Brinsmade
Mr.. Rockefeller Immediately put on the s'ah1
He questioned by William j. Flagg. OF this city,
who Is associated with Commissioner Brlnsmade
and Attorney General Monet
Mr. ROCKEFELLER ON THE STAND.
Mr. Rockefeller testified that New YORK was his
summer residence. He admitted being Chairman OF
the Standard Oil Company Of ohio He said the
books of the company. he understood. were kept at
No Ii Broadway this city. He also said that ne
was president OF the defendant company MI
Rockefeller was then asked who were the otcers
OF the Standard Oil Company In 1882. This question
was objected TO- on the ground that MI Rockefeller
had previously answered II in Ohio. The objection
was made by virgn 2. Kline. Of Cleveland, VINO
appeared as attorney for Mr.. Rockefeller
Finally Mr. Rockefeller said that the names ana
addresses Of the members OF the Standard OIL Com
psny on March ., 1892, were John D. Rockefeller
OF New-York Frank Rockefeller. Of Cleveland F.
y Squire OF Cleveland and Charles W. Hardness.
OF Cleveland Mr.. Rockefeller also testified that the
men named and the trustees of the company were
the stockholders. Mr.. Rockefeller said he could
not tell from recollection whether there was meet
ing directors
considered the judgment taken against the company
on March . 1892 about that time. Mr. Flagg put
the question in several ways. but apparently dd
not get q satisfactory answer
Mr. Rockefeller insisted that he had no recollec-
ton OF meeting at which the judgment was dis
cussed When questioned about any meetings heid
about March 1892 he sad Il cannot tell from my
recollection about the holding Of meetings OF the
Standard on Company OF Ohio six or seven years
ago"
Mr. Kline then objected again 20 the questions
He spoke OF the overruling Of questions IN ONO.
He hnted that II weak line OF inquiry ana
he asked II the present wanted TO explore
AaIds ~ their own I'm asking unnecessary questions.
He explained that his client had filed answers 70
,wentv.six questions concerning the hquidatnS
trustees last October. and that 1t was not neces-
sary to ask again questions that had been salts
factoriy answered then.
Commissioner Brinsmade overrued the question.
saving that II Mr.. Rockefeller could not recall
meetings held at the time IN question that ended
the matter.
WILLING TO PRODUCE BOOKS
Mr. Rockefeller said that the Standard OIL Com
pany kept books. He was willing 10 produce the
books containing records OF the meetings OF stock
holders Mr. Brnsmade then said State. Mr..
Rockefeller who at the entry OF the judgment held
1888 shares o. the Standard Oil Company
Mr. Kline here interposed another objection to his
client answering.
Mr. Rockefeller finally answered. The trustees
Trustees OF WHAT"
Trustees OF the Standard Oil Trust" answered
Mr.. Rockefeller
40 you not understand that the transfer OF the
stock 20 OF the trust the act OF the
defendant company" was then asked
At this poirt the lawyers had long wrangle.
In this NJ D. Elliott. another lawyer for Mr..
Rockefeller joined.
change then made In the question. which
10 .
March 2. 1922?
Il could not tell this
We're YOU one OF the at that timer
Il was"
You personally were the stockholder Of the
Standard Oh Company VINO transferred your stock
for assignment 10 this trust?'
II was"
you had an original stock certificate Of the
Standard. Oil Company
What was done about your certifcate?'
Il don't think tell at this moment. The
detail Of the proceeding was attended TO by seere-
Mr. Rockefeiler admitted that the certificate had
been to Se bus sey ne @ sa ao' was
Amy how Your original stock got into the hands
Of ne trustees
rate Certificates were issued by the trust in ex-
change for stock or E SnIfi one nsy ncas
that the certificates had probably been merged into
At the afternoon session Mr. Rockefeller was
again questioned by Mr. Flag. He said mat there
rad been "A division OF surplus OF little more
than =. 5000 afte- the entry OF the Judgment
arsins. the Standard OF Company IN OHIO. -
Was there meeting T. regard TO that surplus?
Il presume there was
Was there record kept Of the proceedings OF
that meeting ard you produce it?
1t has already heen produced 49,
Can YOU Mr. Rockefeller produce II nowT
II am not custodian Of the records"
Was there any proposition a, that meeting that