New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1906-10-20
JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER, IHE
IMMUNE.

these large business concerns mere
ly Injuries American commerce,
d and "checks our developing in
stead of furthering it."
f 1t was to be expected that Mr..
Rockefeller, the head of the Stand
ard Oil Trust, would rush to the
defense of the beef trust and to the
/ defense of the trust system gene
rally. So what he says on this
line is not particularly interesting
or instructive, because it is all
based upon the false promise that
a trust represents legitimate busi-
ness.
The most interesting portion of
Mr.. Rockefeller's interview is that
wherein he refers to the unsuccess.
ful efforts of the Missouri authori-
ties to serve writ of subpoena
upon the Standard Oil chief. Upon
that point Mr.. Rockefeller says:
"While | was in active business
| used to always respond. But
now, | am not in position to give
this inquiring people the informa-
tion they want They know that
as well as do. If they really
want information it is other men
they should summon, the men who
have the information they want.
They know that also. So am re-
luctantly compelled to conclude
that it is notoriety they want rath.
er than Information. | yield to no
man in respect for law, but | am
unable to see where the little no.
toricty an inquisitor might get
from putting me on the stand
would serve the ends of justice.
So ] avoid the ordeal, with his ex-
haustion, when l can, and preserve
my strength and quiet"
"While | was in active business
! used to always respond ~ Now
that was very good of Mr.. Rookie
feller, chief of the Standard Oil
trust, to "always respond" to a
witt representing the majesty of
the law, and commanding him to
appear and testify.
But Mr.. Rockefeller explains
that in the one instance when he
did not respond, he knew the au-
thorities merely wanted to obtain
little notoriety.
81 yield to no man in respect for
law" says Mr.. Rockefeller, but it
is different when he suspects that
all the authorities want is notoriety.
Then as he explains: $50 l avoid
the ordeal with its exhaustion,
when can, and preserve my
strength and quiet" And he did
avoid the ordeal; he lodged the
officers Of the law and remained in
hiding until the inquiry for which
his testimony was desired had been
adjourned.
What farces these Rockefeller
preachments! He says: 81 yield
to no mat iu respect for law" but ,
his business concern has violated +.
nearly every law upon the statute 9
books, and in this very interview
be shows that he has no respect
whatever for law. He is to be the i,
Judge, wien writs issued under !
he law, are to be obeyed. If, in
lis view, the officer who caused the !,
writ to be issued, is notoriety i,
ecker, then Rockefeller "avoids .
he ordeal" II, in Rockefeller's .
opinion, it would not be well for
public interests" that the writ be
'beyed, Rockefeller disobeys. And
% he is the jude; he is exempt
rom legal process, just as his 1
'owerful monopoly has been
from prosecution. P
The penitentiaries are filled with b
nen who would have been glad if, P,
n the presence of warrant for >,
heir arrest, they could have =
avoided the ordeal with its ex- B
austion and preserved their N
trength and quiet" Il
Note the tone employed by this fc
,an, the richest private individual 4
q the world, in discussing writs n
'sued under authority of law p1 .,
What mighty contempt he shows psal
Or such writs-when they are % %
irected at his influential person p, m
There are men, some of whom &c &c
ave been hene6ciaries Of Rookie bI
,ller's bounty, and others of GO
HON have had their eyes blinded ca
} the truth, who will applaud such q
,atements. pu
10
How different it is when the shoe be
on the other foot. How quick or
le Rockefellers are to condemn hi