Los Angeles herald., 1907-07-07
Government Not Interested

IT have seen such statements III tne
papers," o.,o 80
counsel" replied the judge, that the
government has no part in this partic-
ular inquiry. 1t is pertinent for the
court to prosecute this investigation 10
obtain knowledge of the wealth of this
corporation.
"Have you any impression, Mr.. Rock
efeller, that the Standard OIL company
of New Jersey is interested IN any
other reflneries than this one you nave
mentioned?" 80
fneries in New Jersey owned by the
Standard OIL company of New Jersey
"Do YOU know If it controls other
companies?'
Dividends Forty Per Cent
In reply to further questioning the
witness explained that he could not say
that the company had any other bus1-
ness than the refining of oil:
"You are rather technical ne coh-
cluded. ,,,s. 30 +be
Standard Oil company OF New Jersey
" 81 Lea cannot say, but approximately 40
This concluded the questions of Judge
Tapdis and District Attorney Sliis
a sked if the witness was famlllar Win
the circumstances surrounding the 1or
nation of the Standard OIL company Oh
Indiana" .uo+n said
Judge Lands. -55 ou
what officers of the STANDARD ~
comnany will be able to give me the
earnings of the Standard OH company
during 1904 and 1862
IT think possibly Mr.. Archbold or
Mr.. Pratt" ,,s +ho
court. ,
MIR, Rockefeller gazed around in an
a absent minded way and was then told
hy a bailiff that he was through tor lne
present.
G. M. Pratt, secretary of the Standard
Oil company of New Jersey was then
called. ,,. .Io
He was questioned regarding the
amount of dividends paid by the COM
Many and was asked if the Standard
1iI % company of New Jersey owned the
stock of the Standard Oil company OF
Indiana. He said it did.
How much of it?''
"a large proportion of it."
as the stock of the Union Tank Line
company owned by the Standard OIL
company of New Jersey?"
I'm a large measure. yes, sir.
"Do YOU recall how large an amount?"
"I can't say exactly"
This concluded the testimony or Mr'
Pratt.
The next witness was E. M. Stanton
Of the car department of the Chicago &
Alton.
"Can YOU tell me what moneys We're
maid by the Standard Oil company and
the Union Tank Line company to the
& Alton?"
Rockefeller Repulsed --.
Before the witness could reply Mr..
rose from his seat ana
walked toward the gate leading from
the court room to the chambers OF
Judge Lands, it being his evident in
tention to leave the room. He had
partly opened the gate when 1t was
pushed back against him by the ballln'
But Rockefeller took his repulse meekly
and returned without protest to MS
seat.
Mr.. Stanton, replying to the question
of Judge Lands, said he could not give
the information. The attorneys on both
sides then entered into a long discus
sion regarding rates and tariffs. When
it was concluded Judge Lands asked OF
the attorneys for the defense:
do you, gentlemen, desire to intro
duce any evidence in this case?"
Absolutely nothing replied MI.
Rosenthal of counsel for the company.
Warns Defense
"The court would suggest" said
Judge Lands, that the defense take
every care to see that such evidence as
may seem of importance to the defense
should be submitted. I desire to ex-
tend every facility to the defendant"
The defense will take the suggestion
under advisement," said Mr.. Rosenthal,
land will inform the court later as to
it's intentions"
"By Monday morning?" inquired the
court.
"Yes, sir"
This ended the investigation and the
Judge promptly left the bench while the
court room was being cleared.
Mr.. Rockefeller attended by his coun-
sell William Rockefeller, John D. Arch
bold and the other Standard Oil officers,
then left the room, going through the
chambers of Judge Lands.
No formal announcement was made
that the inquiry was ended, but Judge
LandiS said lmmedlately aICer Ine du-
iournment that the investigation was
concluded so far as he was concerned,
and that the witnesses were discharged.
Rockefeller Makes Statement
After the conclusion of the hearing
the following statement was given to
the Associated Press by John D. Rocke-
Teller, as president, and John d. Arch
bold, as vice president of the Standard
Oil company:
"Since the enactment of the inter-
state commerce law in 1887 the Standard
Oil company has most carefully OBJ
served it's provisions and in no case has
WilfuIly violated that law. 1t well
coined the passage Of the law and the
principle of equality which was enl-
bodied in 1t.
"The old system of special rates and
rebates was obnoxious and was never a
source of profit to the company. The
net rate paid for freight was always
used as a basis for the selling price
from the market, and the consumer uni
formly had the benefit of it. Moreover,
every shipper could obtain such special
rates and it was no unusual experience
for the Standard Oil company to dis
cover that it's competitors had lower
rates than it was shipping under.
"The assertion often made by careless
and senseless writer's and critics that