Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-01-05
SUITS AGAINST STANDARD OIL.
Filed by the State Of Missourt-Nota
BILE Witnesses.

NEW YORK, January 5.-William G..
Rockefeller nephew of John D. Rockefeller.
the president of the Standard Oh Company,
was one of the witnesses who attended the
hearing today before Frederick w. San
born. q special commissioner appointed by
Gov. Folk OF Missouri to take evidence In
two suits brought by the state of Missouri
against the Standard Oil Company and COM
panies alleged to be allied with 1t. Other
witnesses who are expected to testify pos
sibly today are H. H. Rogers and John D..
Archbold vice presidents and directors of
the Standard Oil Company. The hearing
was held in the Office of Henry Wolfman
and E. T. Bedford. director OF the Stand
ard Oil Company, was the first witness.
Herbert S. Hadley, attorney general o.
Missouri, conducted the case for that state.
The evidence was taken for use in tive
suits which have been brought by the state
OF Missouri In one of these suits the state
seeks to bar the Standard Oh Company o.
Indiana, a branch OF the Standard Oil Com
pany which transacts its business west OF
the Ohio river. from doing business In
Missouri This action also aims to exclude
the Waters-Pierce Oil Company and the Re
public OIL Company from transacting bust
ness in Missouri.
In the other action the state aims to pre-
vent the three companies named from carry
ing out the terms of an alleged pooling
agreement by which it is charged that the
business Of their competitors is crushed L
it alleged by the prosecution that the three
corporations are federated for the purpose
of preventing competition and of controlling
prices in violation of the Missouri anti
trust laws. The penalty of such violation
Is forfeiture of charter or license to Ok
business in the state.
Among counsel representing the corpora
tons were Alfred d. Eddy Of Chicago ant
John d. Johnson of st. Louis.
It is charged that the corporations have
dfstricted the western states, each con-
trolling the business OF its territory, but
all being in reality branches of the one
trust
In the second suit Attorney General Had
ley named additional defendants II. C
Crenner, doing business under the name OF
the International oil works. and II. A. Will
hanson & Co. He alleges that the two de-
PENDANTS also were dummy competitors of
the Standard Oil Company.
All tho witnesses were taken to a private
room and sworn in behind closed doors the
newspaper men being excluded. The wit
neoses sworn were William G. Rockefeller
James A. Moffet e. T. Bedford, Howard
Page fl. Fl. Rogers, John d. Archbold
Wade Hampton. Frank Q. Barstow and A
V. Jockel. Mr.. Rogers asked that his evil
dence be taken privately. but mis- request
was refused.
Before Mr Bedford began his testimony
A. V. Jockel was first put the stand, but
was withdrawn upon agreement that his
evidence shall be submitted in writing.
Frank Hagerman of counsel for one of the
companies said that he wanted to k7.oT-
the proceedings were for advertising pur-
poses.
Mr.. Bedford said he has been engaged In
the business of refining oil since 1870.
was formerly with Boyd & Thompson.
WAS the latter company absorbed by he
Standard Oil?" asked Attorney General
Hadlcy.
I'VE object on the ground that the ques-
ton has no bearing on the issues, said Mr.
Hagerman.
Attorney General ~Hadley insisted on th@
question being answered. William v. Rowe
of counsel for the companies instructed the
witness not to answer but Mr. Hadley said
the witness rad no right of counsel. The
commissioner directed Mr.. Bedford to an
swer, but Rowe interposed, saying:
1.-THE witness shall not answer. We are
pleading under the laws of the state o.
New York"
I'VE are proceeding under the laws OF
Missouri" replied Mr.. Hadley.
II want you to take down my objection"
said Mr.. Rowe.
II shall not do it unless directed by the
court said Commissioner Sanborn.