The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1907-07-08
JOHN D. KNEW LITTLE
Told Judge Lands He Had Retired
From Active Business.
OTHER WITNESSES CALLED
Court Secured the Information De-
sired Regarding the Ownership OF
the Standard OH Company Of In.
diana by. New Jersey Corporation.

Chicago. July S.-The inquiry con-
Quoted by Judge Landis into the
standing and financial resources Of
the Standard OIL company commenced
and was finished inside Of two hours
The chief witness was John D.
Rockefeller, president of the Standard
OIL company of New Jersey. Very
little information was derived from
him. He declared that he had not
been In active business in over twelve
years and said that he had not been
in the Offices of the Standard Oil COM
pany for eight years. He declared
that the capital stock of the Standard
Oil company Of New Jersey was about
800, 100000 and that it's business was
the refining of oil. He said that he
did not know that the company had
any other business beyond the rein
ing of oil and if the Standard Oil COM
pany Of New Jersey was interested in
the ownership or operation of any re-
flneries outside of the state of New
Jersey he knew nothing of it. -
From other witnesses Judge Lands
derived the information that the
Standard Oil company of New Jersey
Is the owner of a large proportion of
the stock of the Standard Oil COM
pany Of Indiana, which was recently
convicted Of rebating in connection
with the Chicago and Alton railroad.
It also owns large share of the I'm
Ion Tank line.
William Rockefeller and John D..
Archbold were in the court, but were
not called to the stand.
Asked About Oil Rates.
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 to the stand. He was asked by
Judge Lands if he had given any in
structions that the rate on the oil be-
should apply via Whiting, Ind. He
declared that he had no personal rec
objection of such instructions. The
Judge asked several additional ques-
lions, all of which were objected to
by Mr.. Miller and promptly overruled
H. +. FELTON,, president Of the Union
Tank line, was then called. Judge
Lands asked if 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 three-quarters Of a cent
on loaded and empty cars alike" said
Mr.. FELTON,.
Are you sure you paid it on empty
cars?'' asked the Judge. n..
S'That is my best recollection"
DO you know whether or not the
stock of the Union Tank Line COM
pany is owned by any other com
pany"
"I'he major part of it's stock is
owned by the Standard Oil company of
New jersey"
John D. Rockefeller was then called
and sworn. y
"Mr. Rockefeller" asked Judge Ian.
dis, "have you any connection with
the Standard Oil company"
Position Purely Honorary.
II am president of the Standard Oil
company of New jersey" said Mr..
Rockefeller deliberately. "The posi-
ton is purely an honorary one and
has been for the last eight or ten
years. he resumed. Il have taken
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 Lands.
"Object," calculated Mr.: Miller.
"Overruled," said Judge Lands.
II believe about $1O0,0OO,OOO is out
standing" said Mr.. Rockefeller. 81
do not state this definitely, your
honor"
Mr.. Rockefeller spoke very DELHI
erately, invariably looking toward his
attorneys before answering Judge
Lands questions, but listening close.
ly to the judge as the latter, leaning
toward the oil magnate, slowly enun.
ciated his questions.
OOOo tAC SIOAuctl MI SOlupCuy Va
New Jersey own stock in the Standard
OIL -"
"Object," came instantly from Mr..
Miller. He offered lengthy objections
to the questions of indirect owner.
ship, but his objection was overruled.
"Have you any impression, Mr..
Rockefeller, that the Standard Oil
company of New Jersey is interested
in other refineries than the one you
have mentioned?" N-~ -
II only know of the operation of
refineries in New Jersey owned by
the Standard Oil company of New
Jersey. .-- !
DO you know of it's control of other
companies?" .
II do not know. It may be So"
Calls the Judge Technical.
In reply to further questioning the
witness said that he could not say
that the company had any other bust
ness than the refining of oil. "You
are rather technical" he concluded.
What were the dividends of the
Standard Oil company of New JERSEY
In 1902"
II cannot say exactly, but approxi
mately 40 per cent"
This concluded the questions oil
Judge Lands and District Attorney
Sims asked If the witness was famil
lar with the circumstances surround
ing the formation of the Standard Oil
| company of Indiana.