Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1907-07-06
ROCKEFELLER
IN COURT
Richest Man in the
World Appears
Before Judge
GREAT CROWD ON HAND
Pandemonium Breaks Loose
When Oil Magnate Shows
Himself.

AAx0SAAs
Chicago, July 6.~With his attor-
neys and eleven other officers or the
Standard OH Company, including Will
lam Rockefeller, John d. Rockefeller
the so-callei richest man in the
world, faced the federal court room
filled with attorneys and spectators
today. Immediately after the en-
trance of Rockefeller panuemonium
broke loose in the hallway. The crowd
rushed at the policemen on guard but
were showed back. So serious did the
situation become that U. S. Marshal
Hoy was compelled to telephone for
help. Inside the court room the jam
was nearly as bad as in the hall out
side. Spectators filled the windows
and seats, jammed the doorways, sat
upon chairs in couples and even
squatted on the floor.
Rockefeller will be subjected to an
examination conducted in person by
Judge Kenesaw, M. Lands, who has
it within his power to hold the oil
king in contempt of court should the
witness decline to answer any ques'
tions. 1t is believed by those inter
ested that when Rockefeller raised
his hand and accepted oath he would
tell all he knows concerning the tinan-
cial relations between the Standard
Oil Company of Indiana, and its hold
ing company of New Jersey.
Whatever may be Rockefeller's re-
plies he will in no way incrmnate
himself for under the law he is i'm
mune from prosecution.
What it is All About.
After hard fought legal battle be-
fore jury in Judge Lands court
verdict was returned finding the oil
company guilty of violating the anti.
trust laws and it was then incumbent
upon the judge to assess a fine against
the corporation. Judge Lands after
reading over the entire testimony COW
ering thousands of pages of typewrit-
ten matter, concluded he could not
reach satisfactory decision as to the
amount of the fine unless he knew
positively how large were the re-
sources of the defendant company and
whether it is owned by the Standard
Oil Company of New Jersey. He found
there was no alternative but to. call
upon the officers of both companies
to secure the information he seeks.
Judge Lands is empowered to fix
the fine at any sum between $4,000
and $4,000 for each count, of which
there were 1,462 in the indictment.
Thus the maximum fine is $29,240,0 900
but as the capital stock of the Indiana
company is but one million dollars,
the supreme court might deem the
maximum fine as falling in the class
Of cruel and unusual punishment pro-
hibited by the constitution. II it is
shown, however, that the Indiana COM
pany is merely subsidiary to the New
Jersey Company with capital of one
hundred million dollars, no such ap-
peal could be made.
Case Formally Called.
The Standard Oil case vas called
at 1927 o'clock by Judge Lands. Dis
trict Attorney Sims stated the facts.
Attorney John Miller for the Stan lerd
OIL Company then announced that
Rockefeller and the other witnesses
summoned by the court were present
and prepared to answer any questions
by the court. Miller then entered =
motion in arrest of Judgment in the
case.
"Overruled," said Judge Lands
shortly. Fred A. Wann, former gener-
al freight agent Of the Chicago apd
Alton Railroad during the time cover
ed by the indictments, was the first
witness called. He was asked by
Judge Lands if he had given any in
structions that the rate on oil between
Chicago and East st, Louis should ap.
ply via Whiting, Indiana He declared
he had no personal recollection of
such instructions.
H, E. FELTON,, president of the Union
Trunk Line, was asked If he knew any
thing Of the payment of money by the
Union Trunk Line to the Alton during
the time covered in the trial.
I'VE paid three-quarters Of a cent on
loaded and empty cars alike, said Eel
ton.
do you know If the stock OF the I'm
ion Trunk Line Company is owned by
any other company"
"The major part is owned by the
Standard Oil Company Of New Jer-
sey"
do you know what the outstanding
stock Of the Standard Oh Company
is?
mo sir"
Rockefeller on Stand.
"John d. Rockefeller, called Judge