The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-07-07

TO Keep Him on the stand-Ful LII
formation About the standard OIL "a.
Of Indiana Secured From His Associates.
CHICAGO. July 8.-Jobn ID. Rockefeller.
president of the Standard Oil Compans Of
New Jersey. struggled through a riotous
crowd in the corridors Of the Federal Build
ing this morning and at iO:45 took the wit
ness stand before Judge X. NJ. lands in the
United States District Court. For fifteen
minutes in reply to the Courts questioas
Mr.. Rockefeller with politeness and suavity
Of manner told what he did not know about
the secrets OF the Standard Oil Company.
The Court is making an inquiry to deter
mine the amount of the fine to be imposed
upon the Standard Oil Company of Indiana.
which has been found guilty on numerous
counts Of accepting rebates from the Chicago
and Alton Railroad. The important thing
is 10 learn whether the Standard Oil Com
pany OF Indiana is owned by the Standard
Oil Company OF New Jersey and il the
Indiana concern was organized under the
trust agreement"
SAYS OIL HAS BEEN A BLESSING.
MIR. Rockefeller and j. d. Archbold. as
president ard vioe-president of the Standard
Oil Company of New Jersey. ave out this
statement. through their attorney, John s.
Miller:
Since the enactment Of the Interstate
Commerce Commission law in 1887 the
Standard Oil Company has most carefully
observed its provisions and in no case has
wilfully violated the law. 1t welcomed
the passage OF the law and the principle OF
equity which was embod led in it.
The old system of special rates and re-
bates was obnoxious and was never a sourcs
Of profit to the company. The net rats
paid for freight was always used as a basis
for the selling price in the markets and the
consumer uniformly had the benefit Of il.
Moreover, every shipper could secure such
special rates, and il was no
experience for the Standard Oil Company 10
discover that it's competitors had owe
rates than it was shipping under.
The assertion SD often made by careless
and sensational writers and critics that
rebates were the basis of Standard Oil
prosperity is absolutely untrue. Its pros
perity has come through its correct ap-
prehension of the possible magnitude and
importance OF the petroleum business,
through its having provided better and
more economical methods for doing the
business han ave its competitors and
through "a better service to the public in
price and quality than others have given.
1T has made the petroleum industry
great, has held it for this country as against
foreign competitors, and We assert has
been a blessing and not q bane to the coun-
try. Its downfall through any cause would
he a national disaster"
John ID. and his brother William arrived
at the Federal Building in n large touring
car about 930 O'Clock. The party, instead
Of entering the Government building. went
to the Offices of the Standard Oil Company
IN the ninth floor of the Commercial
National Bank Building. Adams and Clark
streets. Meanwhile word was passed that
Mr.. Rockefeller was in the neighborhood
and would enter the Federal Bidding on
Adams street,
Al Q so O'Clock Mr.. Rockefeller and his
brother, with Attorney Moritz Rosenthal.
left the Commercial National Rank building.
DETECTIVES PUSH BACK THE CROWD.
Here ne comesl" somebody shouted.
and several hundred persons pressed for
ward TO nave IA view of the worlds reputed
richest man. Twenty detectives were com-
PEELED to use force in pushing back the
crowd 10 that the oil magnate might ap-
proacE the Federal Building.
Mi. Rock efeller carried a small cane
and smiled broadly when a street urchin
remarked
There's a man who got his picture In
the paper"
Several persons with cameras took ad-
vantage OF the situation and photographed
Mr. Rockefeller and his party while the
visitors were waiting for the police TO clear
a passagowsy through the crowd on the
Federal Building steps. Detectives and
Secret Service men were alert to see that
there was no attempt at violence.
The elevator tool the party TO the sixth
floor. where Judge I.sndiss court room
is situated. The trip to the entrance OF
an antechamber to the court room was
made without incident. The crowd was
willing TO wait for another loo at him.
IL had seen -the richest man in the United
States" Some parts OF It thou ght it had
seen the richest man In the world" Mr..
Rock eieller 100 IL all eacv. His brother
William was much more nervous.
An outraged he said wrathily. wiping
the perspiration from his face. Il never
heard Of such treatment
John ID. took il placidly. like a man who
has made his peace with the world and
counts on growing popularity. He smiled
Genially on the neWspaper men and even