New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-03-27
J. PIERPONT MORGAN A WITNESS
HE TELLS ABOUT THE INCIDENTS THAT LED UP TO
THE NORTHERN SECURITIES MERGER.
STRANGE SCENES IN COURT
INFORMALITY PUTS ON FORMALITY
AFTER MANY EFFORTS MEGA
TIvES FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS.

J. P!erpont Morgan was the witness Yesterday
before Richard a. Mabey. special examiner. in
the suit of Peter Power against the Northern
Securities Company. When Mr. Morgan entered
the courtroom in the POstOffice Building where
the hearing was held. he probably saw the
strangest sight of his life in connection with a
formal legal proceeding of great moment There
were about eighty persons present, mostly news
paper reporters. Every seat at every table and
desk in the room occupied. The air was
foul with tobacco smoke and five cameras were
posed. ready to do business Confusion and
nothing but confusion. reigned. There had been,
until a brief five minutes before nobody in
charge of the room, and the situation was as
far from what was naturally TO be expected in a
dlgnihed inquiry into TIE legal status of OF
the largest corporations ever organized as the
topsy-turvy Imagination OF w :. Gilbert could
possibly have conceived.
Francis Lynde Stetson Mr. NIorgan's counsel
preceded his principal by about five minutes
He looked about him in amazement. and when
he had recovered his breath he asked;
Where are the counsel to sit?'
Chairs, already close. were pushed closer to-
gether around of the two long tables, and
room made where Mr.. Stetson might sit. He
however. still surveyed the room.
VIII the gentlemen please stop smoking
was his next remark.
Cigars and cigarettes were thrown aside.
Then Mr.. StetsOn disappeared. Shortly he
returned with a United States marshal Hats
off, came the order. Another survey of the
room impelled Mr.. Stetson to walk over 20 of
the windows and open the transom. His exam
pie followed by the marshal at two more
windows.
At this -iuncture Mr.. Morgan came in. He
also looked around in surprise. and then edged
y
and hat. After shaking hands with counsel on
both sides he noticed the cameras aimed at him.
a few low words 10 tn marshal and the order
came for the photographers to leave the room.
Protests were made. but the order was impera-
tive. and five disappointed men filed slowly out
OF the door. Mr.. Morgan meanwhile remained
standing in the middle OF the room. and Mr.
Stetson again disappeared This time he re-
turned followed by two men bearing a small
table thickly covered with dust. This was
in between the two large tables. and
chairs being brought in, Mr. Mabey the special
examiner. took a seat at one end. Mr. Morgan
sat down at Mr.. Mabey's left. and at Mr.. Nor
gan's left sat Mr.. Stetson and Frank B. Kellogg,
of St Paul attorney for the Northern Pacific.
Colonel W P Clough, general counsel and first
yice-president of the Great Northern. sat at the
end opposite the special examiner. and facing
Mr. Morgan and his counsel were A W. Bulkley
and Mortimer II Boutelle, Of Minneapolis. ana
O. A Lamb of New-YOrk, counsel for MT
Power. Charles steele Of ]. p. Morgan & Co.
sat behind Mr. Morgan.
The examination In chief was conducted by
Mr. Lamb-or it might perhaps more properly
he said ~ Mr. Morgan himself. with sugges-
tions from Mr. Lamb. For Mr.. Morgan. at
every opening afforded him by Mr. Lamb-and
there were many-would say: Now. if you wish,
III tell you about that transaction in a few
words" and would proceed to give an eXposi-
tion of the point such could not have been
brought out by many questions. propounded by
no matter how clever and acute attorney.
Throughout the long sessiOn-it lasted for more
than three and a half hours continuously-gOod
feeling prevailed. Mr.. Lamb was suave and
deferential, apoogizinG when, Mr.. Morgan now
and then objected to question as unfair MI
Morgan was the reverse OF irasCible. some of
his answers provoking laughter. in which he
himself joined. His testimony. which he gave
with his customary emphasis. produced upon his
hearers the impression OF absolute CandOr. He
seemed 10 be prepared and anxious to tell not
only the truth but the whole truth. And the
onc and trying examination brought out, too.
the wonderful mental grasp of the man. and
gave to many Of those who watched him and
listened to him realizing sense of his rugged
honesty and his clear mindedness which en-
lbled them 10 understand how he had come To
occupy the foremost place in American finance
which is his