The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1907-07-13
ROCKEFELLER ON THE STAND
JOHN D., ON OATH, SAYS HE DOES
NOT KNOW WHAT THE CON-
PANY CONTROLS.
CROWD IN RIOT TO SEE HIM
The Money King Declares His Posi-
ton an Honorary One and Says
He Has Not Been to the
Office for Eight Years.

in Federal Judge Lands court Satur-
day declared that he was in total ig-
norance of the operations of the Stand
ard Oil Co. and that he did not know
of the company controlling othcr con-
Germs. He said the dividends of the
Standard Oil Co. of New Jersey were
about 40 per cent, and that the con-
Germ had an outstanding capital OF
500, 900, 900.
The money king intimated that he
knew these facts from hearsay and
family gossip, because he swore he
had not been in the headquarters Of
flee for the last eight or ten years,
and that for a dozen years he had not
been actively connected with the busl-
ness end CT the great trust.
Crowd Rushes to See.
John D. Rockefeller took the witness
stand at exactly 1880 Saturday morn
ing. Pandemonium, such as has new
er before been witnessed in a Chicago
courtroom, broke loose soon after his
appearance.
The crowd pushed at the policemen.
and the policemen, gasping and per-
spring, showed them back in des-
perate fashion. From struggling with
the police, two members of the crowd
turned upon each other, and a few
spontaneous punching matches enliv-
ened the already strenuous proceed
ings in the hall.
So serious did the situation become
that United States Marshal Hoy was
compelled to telephone to police head
quarters for additional help.
Inside the courtroom the jam was
nearly as bad as in the hall outside.
The walls were lined with spectators
unable to obtain seats. Others filled
the window seats, damned the door
ways, sat upon chairs in couples and
even squatted on the floor.
The Standard Oil case was called
at 1927 by Judge Lands. District
Attorney Sims briefly stated the facts
in the case as previously outlined.
Attorney John S. Miller for the
Standard Oil Co. then announced that
Mr.. Rockefeller and other witnesses
summoned by the court were present
and prepared to answer the questions
of the court. Mr.. Miller then rendered
a motion in arrest of judgment in the
case.
"Overruled," said Judge Lands,
shortly.
Fred A. Wann, former general
freight agent of the Chicago & Alton
railroad during the time covered by
the indictment, was the first witness
called. He was asked by Judge Lands
if he had given any instructions that
the rate on oil between Chicago and
East st. Louis should apply via Whit
ing, Ind. He declared that he had no
personal recollection Of such instruc-
tions. The judge asked several addi-
tional questions, all of which were OBJ
jected to by Mr.. Miller, who was
promptly o%verruled.
Says Tariff Was Paid on Emptles.
H. E. FELTON,, president of the Union
Tank Line, was hen called. Judge
Lands asked if he knew anything of
the payment of money by the Union
Tank Line to the Alton during the
time covered in the trial.
I'VE paid th~ree-quarters of a cen
a mile on loaded and empty cars
alike" said Mr.. FELTON,.
Are you sure you paid it on empty
cars?' asked the judge.
That is my best recollection"
do you know whether or not the
otool, - tho JI~io- To.1y to- 10 -.
owned by any other company"
The major part of the stock is
owned by the Standard Oil Co. of
New Jersey"
do you know what the %outstand-
ing stock of the Standard Oil Co.
of New Jersey is?"
"No, sir"
John D. Rockefeller" said Judge
Lands.
Amid dead silence the oil magnate
arose and started for the witness
chair. At the same moment the
Standard Oil attorneys clustered
around Judge Lands desk and began
a whispered consultation with him. MIR.
Rockefeller hesitated.
"Sit right still a moment. John"
said his brother, and Mr.. Rockefeller
resumed his seat.
Miller and Rosenthal of the Standard
Oil Co., United States District Attor-
ney Sims and his Assistant, Mr.. VIII
kerson, and Arthur Eddy, Chicago at
torney for the Standard Oil Co., held
a low-voiced conversation with Judge
Lands, which stretched into the min.
utes, Mr.. Rockefeller meanwhile wait.
ing with a mildly curious expression
on his face.
Swears to Tell the Truth.
Finally an understanding as to the
questioning was reached and the at
torneys resumed their seats.
Judge d. Rockefeller" again called
Judge Lands, and the president of
the Standard Oil left his seat, walked
slowly to the witness chair at the
right of Judge Lands and raised his
right hand as the clerk administered
the oath to swear to tell the truth,