The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-07-06
FACE THE COURT.
The RockefelIers and Other
Officers of the Standard
Appear Before Federal Judge
Il. NJ. Lands at Chicago.
STANDARD OILS HEAD
Knows Very Little About
Business of the Company.
Has Not Been in His Office for
Eight Years.
EXAMINATION SHORT.
The Court Appears Satisfied
With Information Obtained.
Standard of New Jersey Owns
Standard of Indiana.
Knows Very Little About
Business of the Company.
Has Not Been in His Office for
Eight Years.
EXAMINATION SHORT.
The Court Appears Satisfied
With Information Obtained.
Standard of New Jersey Owns
Standard of Indiana.

Chicago, July 6.-The inquiry by
Judge Lands of the United States dis
trict court into the financial condition
and resources of the Standard Oil COM
pany was begun and finished today in
side of two hours. The courts object
was to utilize this information in de-
termining the amount of fines to be
imposed on the Standard Oil company
Of Indiana for violations of laws gov
erning freight rating and rebating.
The chief witness was John D.
Rockefeller, president CT the Standard
Oil company of New Jersey. Very lit
tie information was derived from him.
He declared that he had not been in
active business for twelve years and
said that ne had not been in the office
of the Standard Oil company for eight
years. He declared that the capital
stock of the Standard Oil company
of New Jersey was about 500, 100000
and that its business was the refining
of oil. He said that he did not know
that the company had any other busi-
ness and that if the Standard Oil COM
pany of New Jersey was interested in
the ownership or operation of any re-
Jersey he knew nothing of 1t.
From other witnesses Judge Lands
derived the information that the
Standard Oil company of New Jersey
the stock of the Standard Oil company
of Indiana and that it also owns
large share of the Union Tank line.
William Rockefeller and John D.
Archbold were in court. but were not
called to testify.
1t was believed by those interested
in the case that when Mr.. Rockefeller
raised his hand and accepted the oath
he would tell all he knows concerning
the financial relations between the
Standard Oil company of Indiana and
the holding company of New Jersey.
Because of the interest that has
been aroused over Mr.. Rockefeller's
appearance, attaches of the federal
building anticipated that a crowd
would seek admittance to the court
room. There are accommodations in
the court room for 400. including all
lawyers interested in the case.
Marshal Hoy had men scattered
throughout the building while govern
ment secret service agents were also
stationed about so as to provide
against any possible attempt to injure
Mr.. Rockefeller. The final acceptance
by Mr.. Rockefeller of the subpoena
issued for him by Judge Lands and
his agreement to appear in court today
marks the elimination of an exciting
series of events in Standard Oil litiga-
ton and the final chapter of special
cular search for the oil magnate.
What It's About.
When the United States government
last August secured the indictment of
the Standard Oil company of Indiana
for having accepted rebates from the
neither United States District Attorney
Sims nor attorneys representing Stand
ard Oil interests anticipated that Mr..
Rockefeller would ever be called as a
witness in the case. After a hard
fought legal battle before a jury in
Judge Lands court a verdict was re-
turned finding the oil company guilty
of violating the antirebate laws. and it
then in I0or to
assess a fine against the corporation,
it being within his discretion to place
the penalty as high as $29,24O,000.
Judge Lands after reading over the
entire testimony covering thousands
Of typewriter pages. concluded he
could reach no satisfactory decision
as to the amount of the fine unless he
knew positively how large were the
resources of the defendant company
and whether it is owned by the Stand
ard Oil company of New Jersey. Judge
lands found there was no alternative
but to call on the officers Of both con-
Germs.
Judge Lands is empowered to fix
the fine at any sum between 81, 900
and $4,000 for each count of which
there were 1,462 in the indictment.
Thus the maximum fine is $29, 240,-
600, but as the capital stock of the In
diana company is but 100000. the
imum fine as falling in the class of
cruel and unusual punishment pro-
hibited by the constitution. If it is
shown. however. that the Indiana COM
pany Is merely subsidiary to the New
Jersey concern with a capital of $780,
100000, no such appeal could be
made.
The Jam Was Terrific.
An hour before the usual hour of
opening of court a crowd of people
was gathered in the hallway outside
of the court room, packing the narrow
hallway to the point Of suffocation. A
squad of deputy United States mar
shals and a detail of police officers
were placed along the hall and before
the doorway of the court room.
The police and deputy marshafs
time and again were compelled to use
strenuous measures to hold the crowd
in check. The insistence of the would ,
be spectators was so great. however, |
that the police were nearly swept from
their feet by the constant surging and
pressure. The jam around the door
when it was opened at 9:40 was ter
rife The majority of the spectators
were in and seated when Mr. Rookie
Teller made his appearance at the end
of the hall attended by few friends |
and his counsel. A passage way was |
opened for him by the police and he
walked slowly down the hall toward |
the court room, the crowd closing in