The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1907-07-11
Oil King Denies All knowledge
of the Standard OILS Busi-
ness Methods.
SAYS JOB IS "HoNoRARY''
Rockefeller Admits That the business
OF the Standard Oil Company
10 to Produce Oil. and
That's About All.

stand in the United States district court
Saturday while Judge Lands piled him
with questions regarding the financial
strength and the business methods of
the corporation OF which he is the head.
Mr. Rockefeller was very willing and
an equally unsatisfactory Witness He
was willing to tell all he knew. but
he said that he knew practically Moth
ing.
The net result Of his examination was
that be believed that during the years
1903, 1904 and 1905, the period covered
by the indictments on which the Stand
ard Oil Company Of Indiana was re-
Gently convicted, the net profits OF the
Standard OIL Company of New Jersey
were approximately 40 per cent. OF an
outstanding capitalization of 100000
600.
Ownership Question Settled.
The investigation held by Judge
Lands was instituted by him for the
express purpose Of determining whether
or not the Standard Oil Company of
Indiana, convicted 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 shipment made In viola
ton of law was similarly owned, and
also to obtain an idea of the financial
resources of the convicted corporation.
in order to infiict a fine proportioned to
the offense and assets Of the convicted
company. - #-'a
1t was stated by officers Of the
Standard Oil Company OF New Jersey
that 1t owned the greater part of the
stock OF both the Union Tank line and
Specific figures as to the earnings of
the parent corporation were given by
Charles M. Pratt, its secretary, and
they were close to the estimate given
by Mr.. Rockefeller.
Plea TO Excuse John .. Fails.
When the Standard OIL investiga-
tion was called, Attorneys Miller and
Rosenthan, counsel for the company,
made an earnest plea that Mr. Rookie
feller be excused from the stand.
They explained to the judge that he
could give no information that could
not be better obtained from some
other source. They declared he could
In fact tell nothing OF what the court
desired to know. The judge, how
ever, refused to vacate the subpoena,
and insisted that Mr.. Rockefeller
the best of his ability. Attorney Mil
Ter, for the company, offered the
objection to the impending proceed
ings that they were entirely out of
the jurisdiction OF the court. Judge
Lands overruled the motion.
Mr.. Miller then declared that the
defense objected to every question put
to every witness during the proceed
ings. The court replied: Each and
every objection is overruled and an
exception allowed.
... Oil Case Called.
The Standard OIL case was called at
1927 o'clock by Judge Lands. Dis
trict Attorney Sims briefly stated the
facts in the case as previously out
lined. .. .
Attorney John s. Miller. for the
Standard OIL company, then an
nounced that Mr. Rockefeller and 9TH
er witnesses summoned by the court
were present and prepared to answer
the questions. Mr.. Miller then entered
motion in arrest Of Judgment in the
case.
"oyerruled." said Judge Lands
shortly.
Fred A. wann, former general
freight agent of the Chicago and Alton
railroad during the time covered by
the Indictment, was the first witness
called. He was asked by Judge Landis
IL he had given any instructions that
the rate on oil between Chicago and
ing, Ind. He declared that he had no
personal recollection of such instruc-
tions. ...I
The Judge asked several additional
questions, all of which were objected
to by Mr. Miller, who was promptly
overruled. ~ a- .r..
H. e. FELTON,, president OF the Union
Tank line, was then called. Judge
La1dis asked IL he knew anything OF
the payment Of money by the Union
Tank line to the Alton during the time
covered in the trial.
we paid quarters of a cent a
mile on loaded and empty cars alike"
said Mr.. FELTON,.
Are you sure you paid on empty
cars?" asked the Judge.
That Is my best recollection"
do you know whether or not the
stock OF the Union Tank line is owned
by any other company"
The major part Of it's stock Is
owned by the Standard Oil Company OF
| New Jersey"
do you know what the outstanding
stock OF the Standard Oil Company OF
New Jersey is?"
mo, sir
Rockefeller to the Stand.
John d. Rockefeller" called Judge
Amid dead silence the oil magnate
| arose and started for the witness chair.
| At the same moment the Standard Oil
| attorneys clustered around Judge
/ Lands desk and began whispered
consultation with him. Mr.. Rocke-
| feller hesitated.
| "Sit right still a moment John"
said his brother, and Mr.. Rockefeller
| resumed his seat.
Messrs. Miller and Rosenthal, Of the
| Standard Oil company; United States
| District Attorney Sims and his assist
ant, Mr.. Wilkerson. and Arthur Eddy,
| Chicago attorney for the Standard OH
| company, held a low voiced conyersa-
| ton with Judge Lands which stretched
into minutes, Mr.. Rockefeller mean
| while waiting with a mildly curious
I expression on his face. .... E..
Finally an understanding as to the
4 questioning was reached and the at
4 torneys resumed their seats.
John ID. Rockefeller" again called
| Judge I.andis. and the president of the
| Standard on company left his seat,
| walked slowly 10 the witness chair al
| the right or Judge Lands and raised