The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-09-18
Standard oil Trial.

New York September l7.-restimony was heard today in the federal suit against the Standard Oil company of New Jersey The hearing here in the federal suit, which was brought in St. Louis last December, has twice been adjourned at the request of counsel for the defendants. In the meantime, however, Frank B. l<el- 1ogg. who is in charge of the government s case has obtained many books and papers from the Standard oil company, which has enabled him to proceed expeditiously with the case MT. Kellogg intimated to- day that the government would also in- quire into the character and nature or holdings of the Standard oil company or New Jersey. as well its affiliations, If any, with railroads. The United States government has named not only the Stan dard oil company of New Jersey as de- fendant but also seventy subsidiary com panes of the main corporation and the following individuals: John D. Roeke- feller, William Rockefeller, Henry II. Rogers, Henry NJ. Flagler, Oliver II. Payne. Charles NJ. Pratt and John D. Archbold. only William G. Rockefeller and Charles NJ Pratt have been sub poenaed to appear before the hearing. though MT. Kellogg may subpoena the others later.
 Wehn the hearing was called today be- fore former Judge Franklin Ferriss, sit ting as special master. E. C. Benedict or Greenwich, Conn, was called as the first witness.
 Benedict Testifes.
 Questioned by MT. Kellogg. MT. Bene- dict said that he and Anthony N Brady owned the Manhattan Oil company which had an oil producing plant near Gaidtoa, Ohio. Mr Benedict said that there was pipe line connected with the company Refreshing his memory from slip ol a. per he said that in October, 1898. he sold bi75 shares of Manhattan oil stock at Sl00 share. He could not recall who was the purchaser Of tho stock, At the time he disposed of the stock he sold s2S6, ,OOO of the company's bonds. He had no negotiations with the offices Of the Standard oil company Of New Jersey or any of its affiliated compani es regarding the sale Mr Benedict said he did not know whether the Manhattan oil com pany went into the possession or the Solar Refining company. He had taken an interest in the Manhattln company because he was interested h several gas companies and desired to have a work ing connection between the gas com panies and the oil companies. Later MT Benedict said he sold his interest In the gas company.
 Mir. Benedict could not recall if he had made any objection to Anthony N. Brady to selling out to the Standard oil com pany. MT. Kellogg asked the witness to produce later the contract fetween the Manhattan company and the gas com panies Mir Benedict was not cross ex- amlned.
 Pratt on the Stand.
 Charles M. Pratt. a director of the Standard oil company followed Mir Bene- dict on the witness stand. Mir. Pratt said he had been an officer of tho Standard oil company since 1899. is now secretary and has charge of the compauy's books. Mir Kellogg showed the witness a list of securities held by the Standard Oil company on September Ii. 1907, which had been furnished on subpoena by the com pany. MT. Pratt said the list was made up in the comptroller's office nnd he could not say whether the statement shown him was correct or not
 As secretary of the Standard Oil com pany, do you know anything abont it's acquisitions of other companies. he was asked
 Not necessarily" replied MT Pratt. who further stated that his knowledge of the company's holdings was only general. Asked if the Standard oil company con- troIled the Ohio oil company. the witness replied that 1t did. MT. Pratt said that the Standard owned 4994 shares of stock of the Solar Refining company, which was all but six shares of stock Of the company's issue. MT. Kellogg then asked Mir Pratt Co produce statements show ing the officers and directors Of the Stan dard oil company and of all It's snhsid- ary companies. together with the officers and directors of all companies In which the Standard Oil company had stock in- terest. MT. Kellogg also asked for state- ment Of capitalization of the various companies
 Mir Pratt referring to his duties in the Standard oil company. said that he was an officer of the Standard OH company of Kentucky whose principal business was the distribution of oil south of the Ohio river. He said the Kentucky com
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