Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1906-1908, 1907-07-05
| COURT SPURNS
PLEA FOR JOHN D.
ROCKEFELLER MUST APPEAR IN
TRUST FIGHT, SAYS JUDGE
LANDS OF CHICAGO.
HIS SUBPOENA STANDS.
Attorney Declares STANDARD Head VIII
Be of No Use in Case, But 1t
Does Not Help.

CHICAGO, H., June 2S.-Judge
Lands. in the United States district
court today refused to withdraw the
subpoena issued for John ID. Rookie
Teller. although John S. Miller, attorney
requested him to do so.
Mr. Miller informed the court that
Mr.. Rockefeller, although president of
the Standard Oil company Of Indiana,
was not possessed of the information re-
garding the financial condition of the
Standard Oil company desired by the
court.
He also informed the court that Mr..
Rockefeller was an old man who had
many business cares and that no adj
vantage could be gained by any person
by bringing him into the court
The request of the attorney did not
appeal to Judge Lands for he promptly
refused to recall the subpoena, and in
addition directed that subpoenas be is
sued for the vice president and secretary
treasurer of the Union Tank line.
Rockefeller quite" Wealthy
At the opening of court today Attor-
ney Miller went to the rooms OF District
Attorney Sims and said that he had a
matter which he would like TO present to
Judge Lands i'll relation to the Standard
Oil case. He was accompanied TO the
chambers of Judge Lands by the district
attorney.
Il have some suggestions to make,
said Mr.. Miller to the judge; L should
like to say that | am willing to furnish
the district attorney with the names of
men who are in a position to give infor-
nation wanted by the court in regard
to the financial resources and holdings
of these companies. The subpoenas
that have been issued are chiefly for men
who cannot give the details desired by
the court. 1t seems much more advis-
able to hear the statements of men who
know about these things instead Of bring
ing eight or ten men here without the
information.
Mr.. Rockefeller has little to do with
the active management of the business
and it seems useless as well as burden
to bring him here. He is an old man
and quite wealthy aud has great many
financial holdings and it will be hard
ship and difficult fer him to come here.
Lands in Stirring Reply.
1T is mconceivable that the president
of one company does not know whether
or not it owns another company replied
Judge Lands. Il want to know whether
| the Standard Oil company of New Jersey
owns the Standard Oil company Of In
diana, the defendant in this case.
Il want this information and all that
| have asked for, and | intend to have
it if such a thing is possible.
This court makes no distinction as tar
as its processes go against either 4 wealthy
or poor man." continued Judge Lands.
Il want Mr.. Rock efeller here to learn from
him whether the Standard Oil company
of New Jersey owns the Standard Oil
company of Indiana. | want to learn
that one thing from him and other
things that he may be able to tell
Oil King May Not Talk
Mr.. Miller said that he was unable 1C
say whether or not any of the men sum
moned would furnish any of the infor-
nation wanted, even if they knew it,
and intimated that they might decline t.
answer by advice of counsel.
The court cannot assume said
Judge Lands, that such an attitude
will be taken by the witnesses sum
moned, and l cannot give them an oppor-
tunity to decline through counsel i'll adj
vance. If they see fit not to answer my
questions they will be given all the
chance they want to decline i'll open
court. These subpOenas will be served
and | shall not interfere with the service
of any of them"
Judge Refuses to Yield.
THE issuing of subpoenas for Mr.
Rockefeller and Mr.. Rogers borders on
sensationalism, anyway said Mr.. Miller
and he intimated that it was done
through the office of the district attor-
ney.
The district attorneys office is not re-
sponsible," said Judge Lands, Il alone
am responsible for this action. | want
the information l have oske dior and |
intend to have it. 1t should have been
forthcoming before this time without all
| this trouble.
The court then directed that sub
poenas be issued for II. r. Paine, vice
| president of the Union Tank line and fol
| w. H. Hutchinson. the secretary and
are at 26 Broadway, New York