Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1906-01-13
IN THE OIL BUSINESS.
I. FL. Rogers Humorous. bat
Silent as TO Main Facts.
DETIED The MISSOURIAS OFFICIALS
Big suit Against Standard oil Cosn-
pany brings One OF Iss ~hiefS
Into Witness Chair--4se-
fused to Answer.


trust busters sent by Governor Folk
to attack the Standard Oil octopus in
its lair here coiTaled Henry II. Rog-
ers and had session with him that
was like the weather outside mixed
storm and sunshine
They did not get a word of informa-
ton out of him, for he declined to an
swer all questions that had the slight
est tinge of Importance. His refusals
will be certified TO a supreme court
judge and an order asked compelling
the witness to answer. There is where
the real fight will come in.
But if the examination of Mr.. Rog
ers failed to elicit any facts concerning
the Standard Oil company il did devel-
Dp several interesting and important
phases.
III. III. Rogers, beneflting by his init
mate association with Mark Twain,
has become the great American hui
morist. as one of the attending coun-
sci crowned him. Instead Of being the
stern. cold, calculating human money
making machine that Thomas w Law
son has painted, he thawed out into
jokes and smiles and refused to ges
angry more than once in every ten min
utes.
Mr.. Rogers gave a remarkable ex
hibition in the art of answering 6
thousand questions in cross examina-
ton without telling anything save his
name, and it was evident how little q
great power in the Standard like Mr..
Rogers knows about its business. ac-
cording to his testimony.
"The first question is" said Attorney
General Hadley. what is your name,
residence and occupation?p
THAT is not a proper question" said
the old magnate, and the audience was
so much interested in the way Mr..
Rogers said it that the remarkable an
swer did not cause even a litter
Mr.. Rogers and Attorney General
Hadley were looking each other in the
eyes.
You will allow me,to decide whether
1t is a proper question or not. said
the Missourian
When Commissioner Sanborn told
him to answer it Mr.. Rogers said that
he believed his name was Henry IL.
Rogers; that he lived in New York
and was in the oil business.
Mr.. Rogers refused to say what he
would do if the supreme court direct
ed him to answer the questions asked,
saying that matter would be determin-
ed when it confronted him.
Mr.. Rogers admitted that he was a
stakeholder in the Standard Oil com
pany of Indiana, one of the respond
ents in the Missouri suit
Many questions We're answered in the
same way as the following:
SIS it not fact that you are di-
rector in the Standard Oil company Of
New Jersey and that it owns, holds or
controls either through itself or some
other individual or corporation all or a
controlling interest in the Standard Oil
company of Indiana and the Waters
Pierce Oil company"
II decline to answer ON advice of
counsel"
"Were you one of the trustees of the
original Standard Oil trust during its
existence. and did not these trustees
hold more than a majority of the stock
of the WatersPierce Oil company, and
since that time has not the Standard
Oil company owned the controlling in
terest of the Waters Pierce company?'
II decline to answer"
"What business have YOU ever trans
acted or known Of having been trans
acted by the board of directors of the
Standard Oil companysof Indiana?'
Il suppose know that it declares
dividends
us that all?'
''If had time to think it over
might think of something else"
did you find when you were in Ok
iahoma and Indian Territory that the
Waters Pierce Oil company sold oil in
those two territories while the Stand
ard Oil company did not?"
Il decline to answer on advice OF
counsel"
Any question as to the business of
the Standard Oil company proper Mr.
Rogers declined to answer on advice
of counsel. He showed himself at
times possessed of a sense of humor,
and he and Mr.. Hadley had amusing
little passages at repartee.
What oil company or companies are
you connected WITH" WIS the second
question asked Mr.. Rogers.
Mr. Hagerman Of counsel for the
Standard Oil objected to the question.
II decline TO answer" said Mr. Rog.
ers.
Commissioner Sanborn directed him
to answer.
Mr.. Rogers again refused to answer
ION advice of counsel"