The Washington herald., 1907-07-07


been supposed 20 rise or crumble, the
supreme leader 90 whom every one be-
lieved the worlds money kings have
bowed for a generation, the incarnation
Of all the Wall street worshlps, Rookie
feller Is really no more than an ordinary
retired business man. little interested in
market gyrations. as ignorant as a Sl5-a-
week clerk Of the inside workings Of the
giant enterprise Of which be was the
creator.
Such was John .. Rockefeller's story
on the witness stand in United States
Judge lands court in Chicago.
This. IN brief is all he told:
My name is John .. Rockefeller.
'T am president Of the Standard oil
Company, Of New Jersey.
Il think the company's outstanding
capital is approximately S1ooC00,0o0.
I've been so long out OF business that
I don't know what IS the c5mpany's gen
eral business.
1T has been many years since I have
been active in Standard Oil affairs.
I haven't been IN the company's Offices
IN eight or ten years.
Generally speaking, the Standards
business is refining oil
Il think there are refneries in New
Jersey.
I don't know the company's net earn
ings in 1904 and 1865.
Il presume the company has other re-
ineries than those IN New Jersey"
Judge Conducts Examination.
Judge lands conducted the examination
himself He explained that he desired
the information 10 guide him in fxinaS
the amount Of a fine he is % assess
against the Standard on Company OF
Indian for accepting railroad rebates.
TO make the punishment a fitting one IL
became necessary for him TO know some
thing Of the offending corporations
means.
II it is q branch Of an enormous trust,
he deemed 81 could afford 10 pay a
heavier fine than "a comparatively small
independent corporation
Under the law the penalty may be fixed
At SO 10000 or $4,000 on each Of the 1, 49,
counts
What Judge lands learned from Mr..
Rockefeller is admitted by Federal Off
cials 20 have been little enough. He may
try Monday 90 learn more from other Off
. GERS of the Standard oil Company of.New
Jersey. officers who are stjll active.
Almost Nobbed.
The oil king was nearly mobbed on his
way 20 the courtroom. The crowd was
good-natured. but il was desperately Gu
rious to see Mr.. Rockefeller. The oil
kings public utterances are so few that
the multitude evidently feared It would
never have another chance TO gaze on a
real. live bilHouaire."
Mr. Rockefeller took his mauling smil-
inglv. He visited the Commercial Ma
tional Bank. across the street from the
Federal building. for a conference with
his attorneys before appearing IN court.
When the time came for him to take
the stand a squad OF Secret Service men
surrounded him. and a strong force Of
police literally beat a way for the party
through the thrOng.
The oil king perspired freely His clothes
were mussed. his hat was tipped ar a
rakish angle and his general appearance
was one of decided dishevelment when he
reached the courtroom, but his ssngfroid
never left him.
Wig Looks Unnatural.
Mr.. Rockefeller was dressed inexpen-
sively. but neatly, I'm a black coat. white
waistcoat, striped trousers. and black
derby. The unnaturalness OF his wig,
contrasted with the entire absence Of
beard or eyebrows. gave hbn an odd look
His expression was smiling and affable.
except at long intervals, when he closed
his lips tightly and drew down the cor
ners Of his mouth. Then he looks the
typical hard. crafty captain of industry.
Rockefeller was accompanied by his
brother. William Rockefeller, and twelve
other officers and directors Of the Stand
ard
When Judge lands called The United
States against the Standard oil Com
pany." John s. Miller, leading counsel for
the defense, objected to further cousidera-
alton Of the case upon the grounds
stated when Judge Lands first asked for
tho information. viz: That the questions
of the court are impertinent irrelevant.
and extra judicial.
Miller Is OverruIed.
Miller was promptly overruled, and P. A
Wann, general freight agent Of the Chi
cago and Alton Railroad at the time the
offenses were committed. was called to
the stand.
Miller secured an entry that the de-
fense objected 20. He and his asso-
ciates continually interrupted the pro-
ceedings with special objections and AZ
guments.
Wann testified. after Judge lands had
overruled an objection of the defense.
that he gave instructions to the auditor
of the Chicago and Alton regarding oil
rates from Chicago and East St Louis.
Said he:
MY recollection is that I issued IN
structions for 10 per cent billing rate
per mile. which included the switching.
I mean that switching was to be de-
Quoted"
Judge Landis-Do you know why the
instructions were given that the freight
charges for transportation for oil from the
Standard Oil Company Of Indiana during
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