Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1907-07-07
John D, Rockefeller Proves
Willing, But Unsatisfactory
WitneSsi Knows Little Con-
cerning Company's Re-
sources or Methods.
CURIOUS THRONG PACKS
FEDERAL COURT ROOM
Appearance Of Worlds Richest
Man Brings About Spectacle
Unprecedented in Annals Of
Chicago Tribunal

TBy Morning journal Special I.eased Wire. ]
Chicago, July 6.-John d. ROcke-
feler, president Of the Standard OIL
company of New Jersey, occupied the
witness stand in the United States dis
trict court today, while Judge Lands
piled him with questions regarding
the financial strength and the bust
ness methods of the corporation OF
which he Is the head.
Oil King Willing Witness.
Mr.. Rockefeller was a very willing
and an equally unsatisfactory witness.
He was ready to tell all that he knew,
but he said that he knew practically
nothing. The net result of his exam
ination was that he believed that dur
ing the years 1903, 1904 and 1905, the
period covered by the indictments on
which the Standard oil company OF
Indiana was recently convicted. the
net profits of the Oil company of
New Jersey were approximately 40
per cent OF an outstanding capitaliza-
ti0n of $100,000,000.
The investigation held today by
Judge Lands was instituted by him
for the express purpose of determin-
company of Indiana. which was con-
vlcted Of violation of the law. was
really owned by the Standard oil
company of New Jersey, whether the
Union Tank line, whose cars were
used for the shipments made in vio-
lation of the law, was similarly own
ed and also to obtain an idea of the
financial resources Of the convicted
corporation in order to inflict a fine
proportionate to the offense and the
assets of the convicted company.
standard Owns Tank Line.
It was stated by officers of the
Standard oil company of New Jersey
that IL owned the greater part of the
stock of both the Union Tank line
and the Standard oil company of In
diana Specific figures as to the
earnings of the parent corporation
were given by Charles NJ Pratt, its
secretary. and they were close TO the
estimate given by Mr.. Rockefeller.
Dense ThrOng Packs Court Room.
The prospective appearance IN
court OF the man reputed to be { 2
richest man in the world, broug t
about spectacle the like of wh!c1
has never been witnessed I'm the NJ
cinity of Chicago court room.
The hour set for the appearance Cf
Mt Rockefeller vas 10 o'clock, ard
one hour before that time the low
ceiled hallway outside the court room
door was densely packed by crowd,
all % whom were anxious to obtain
seats and hear the testimony. a large
squad of United States deputy mar
shals under the direction of United
States Marshal Hoy and a numerous
detail of police were on hand. but
even they were unable at times to
control the crowd. The people pushed
and at times by Sheer weight actually
bore the police down the hall. Ad-
mission to the court room was by card
only, but many succeeded In eVading
the guards. and when Judge Lands
took his seat upon the bench the
court room was packed To the last
inch Lines of people were around
the walls, dozens of chairs held two
occupants. every inch Of standing
room was occupied and men sat on
the steps Of the jury box and squat
ted upon the floor
Judge Threatens 20 Clear Court.
Even after the court room was
filled the crowd became so heavy and
40 nslstent that Marshal Hoy was
compelled to telephone to police head
quarters for further assistance. This
was promptly sent and from that
time on the crowd was held In check.
Inside the court room perfect order
prevailed al all times except at the
immediate opening, when Judge Lam
dis threatened 10 clear the room II
absolute quiet was not preserved.
John ID. Rockefeller and william
Rockefeller arrived at the federal
building In the automobile Of Harold
r. Mccormick, the son-ln-law Of Mr..
Rockefeller. at $3.50 o'clock. The
party first crossed the street TO the
offices Of the Standard OH company,
I'm the Commercial National bank
building, and after remaining here a
short time returned To the federal
building. whore a large crowd had
gathered. So curious were the peO-
pie 60 see Mr.. Rockefeller that # was
necessary for twenty policemen TO use
force In pushing back the crowd to
make n pathway for him. Upon the
steps Of the federal building the party
was compelled 10 halt while the police
fought with the crowd
Ilockcfcller Closely Guarded.
Mr.. Rockefeller. closely attended by
the officers. entered the building and
made their way To the elevators upon
the north side. Here car. devoid of
lights. was under the special guard Of
police. and entering II, Mr.. Rockefel-
Ter was quickly taken 10 the sixth
floor Of the building and 10 the court