The Mena weekly star., 1907-07-11

pany Pleaded Ignorance of the Bust
 ness of the corporation--c. M. Pratt,
 the Secretary, Was a Better Wit
 ness.
 Chicago, July 1.-The inquiry by Judge Landis of the United States district court into the financial con dition and resources of the Standard Oll company was begun and finished Saturday inside of two hours. The courts object was to utilize this in formation in determining the amounts or fines to be imposed on the Stand ard Oil company of Indiana for viola. tions of laws governing freight rat. ing, and rebating. The chief witness was John D. Rockefeller president os the Standard Oil company of New Jersey. Very little information was derived from him. He declared that he had not been in active business for 12 years and said that he had not been in the offices of the Standard Oil company for eight years. He de- clared that the capital stock of the NNe%AdoAh VII tOihPuhy VI ANIW JCicCy was about s100.00O,000 and that it's business was the refining of oil. He said that he did not know that the company had any other business and that if the Standard Oil company oi New Jersey was interested in the ownership of operation of any re- fineries outside of the state of New Jersey he knew nothing of it.
 From other witnesses Judge Landis derived the information that the Standard Oil company of New Jersey is the owner of large proportion of the stock of the Standard Oil com pany of Indiana and that it also owns a large share of the Unich Tank line
 William Rockefeller and John D. Archbold were in court but were not called to testify.
 After being sworn MT. Rockefeller sat down, crossed his legs, leaned his right hand on his cane, put his left hand on the judges desk, and looked intently at Judge Landis.
 MI dohNo JduSO Landis. have you any connection with the Standard Oil company" "I am president of the Standard Oil company of New Jersey" said MT Rockefeller deliberately "The posi- ton is purely an honorary cae and has been for the last eight or ten years" he resumed. T have raaen no active part in it's affairs during that time"
 What is the outstanding capital stock of the Standard oil company of New Jersey?" asked Judge Landis.
 Object" calculated Mir Miller.
 "Overruleo," said Judge Landis.
 q believe about s1o0.000,000 is out. standing" said Mir. Rockefeller. T do not state this definitely, your honor"
 You think then that it is about si00,000 .000?" That is my idea"
 Mir. Rockefeller spoke very de- liberately. invariably looking towards his attorneys before answering Judge Landis questions but listening closely to the judge as the latter. leaning toward the oil magnate. slowly enunciated his questions.
 Generally speaking" resumed Judge Landls, after moments hesita- fion,' what Is the business of the Standard oil company of New Jer- sey7" "The production of oil'' sue cinctiy replied Mir. Rockefeller and the crowd smiled
 Then Mir. Miller again objected to this line of questioning. Judge t.andia llsteaed to him. overruled the objection and Mir. Rockefeller re- sumed his answer.
 "YouF honor. said he. leaning tosard Judge Landis. ''I have been SO bong out of business se fons cut Of this business that t ~uuld not we'll answer that aaeznan it ls dozen years since [ have been actively related with it's affairs. it ls eieht or ten years. your homer. since I have even been in the office at an"
 'Wsil. what is your general lmprrs- slon of what the business of the starG-rt on company sr
 "Theg have Fefincries to refine oil This is as near as ' can say without a study of the charter
 Asaia came Lae objections from Nr. Miller. MF Rosenthai joining Amaln Judge Ianals oYerruled the objections sad proceeded ~ith his question.
 -foas ghe Standard ca company of New Jersey own stock Ia the stand aFd oAi~"
 "uhtrct' eMme instantly from Mr. MHleF iis offered lengthy objections fa thh aussftenS pf indsrect owner ahip ln tho eaaFae cf whsch be said ths government ''has g purpose Ia this investigation
 What ao yoa mean nt "a pnF- puser~ aakea the euuft
 -f have seen saeh ssasemeats Ia the parevs.
 "A ulli sax. fof the information of eounssl+ replied the lsaee. that the nusesnment has ao pert la this pAstie' nsAr lnauiry lg sa pertsaeaf for the court ta preserass thas investigation lo obtain xnowie&ke ef ths wealth ei tnis corporation
 "Ha,e yoa Any Impression, Mf.