Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-05
ROCKEFELLER GOING WEST.
Is Under the Jurisdiction of Judge
Lands.

Lands
CHICAGO, July 5-John D. Rockefeller
will be in Chicago this afternoon or early
tomorrow morning ready to appear
witness before Judge Lands in the federal
court in the cases in which the Standard
Oil Company of Indiana is accused of re-
ceiving rebates from the chicago and Alton
railroad.
Mr.. Rockefeller will be the guest of his
son-in-law, Harold Mccormick. at Bellevue
place and Lake Shore drive. He will be
under the protection of the United States
and secret service officials will see to it
that he is not molested or annoyed while
under the jurisdiction of Judge Lands
court.
While Mr.. Rockefeller is on his way to
Chicago, while he is here, and while he is
returning to his home, he may not be mo-
Tested or approached by process servers
from state courts where his presence as
witness may be desired.
This is rule which obtains even with the
humbest witnesses summoned by the
United States courts.
Waiting for John D.
CLEVELAND, Ohio, July 5.-John D.
Rockefeller did not arrive in Cleveland on
Lake Shore train No. %, due here at 1890
am, as expected. A large crowd was at
the suburban and union depots in antici-
patton Of the coming of Mr.. Rockefeller
No information is obtainable from the rail-
way officials to the probable time of his
arrival The general opinion here is that
he is coming on train No. 8, which is re-
ported to be hauling an extra car. This
train is not due here until 10:4O pm, which
will not give Mr. Rockefeller an oppor-
tunity to stop off in Cleveland en- route
to Chicago.
BY testifying before Judge Lands of
the United States court in Chicago as to
Standard Oil affairs, John D. Rockefeller
secures immunity from criminal prosecu-
ton, should developments ever warrant
that step on the part Of the government.
Among officials of the Department of
Justice there is not the greatest salts
faction that the oil king has been forced
to respond to a summons for his appear
ance to testify in the United States
courts. On the other hand, there Is feel
ing that Judge Lands, in his zeal to
bring out facts has Queered the future
game of the government as to the higher
officials of the Standard oil.
Step by step. and with the greatest care,
the government has been developing the his
tory of the Standard Oil and its alleged
crimes against law and order. In this pro-
cess Of development there have been officials
who have hoped that the facts would
eventually warrant criminal prosecution
against the head devl'' of the, Standard
Oil, John d. himself
If Mr.. Rockefeller is now compelled to
testify in the courts at Chicago he would,
under decisions of the courts, be immune
from criminal prosecutions. Besides this,
1t is generally expected by the Department
of Justice that Mr.. Rockefeller will not
prove a valuable witness. To nearly all
questions he will probably testify that he's
had no personal knowledge, as that was
| in the hands of this official or that official,
| etc. Instead of being benefit to the gov
ernment it is possible that the action Of
Judge Lands will be a benefit to John D.
Rockefeller. At least that Is the way GER
tain officials Of the Department Of Justice
| look at 1t.