New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-07-07
ROCKEFELLER HEARD.
HAS LITTLE TO TELL.
Immense ThrOng CrO5cds About
Chicago Court.

piled nm with questions regarding the financial
strength and the business methods of the cor
poration of which he is the head
Mr. Rockefeller was a willing and equally
unsatisfactory witness He was ready ~ tell
all that he knew, but he said that he knew prac-
tically nothing The net result Of his examina-
~ was that ne believed during the years 1903.
1901 and 1906. the period covered by the indfct-
ments on which the Standard OIL Company Of
Indiana was recently convicted. the dividends
Of the Standard OIL Company Of New Jersey
were approximately 70 per cent Of an outstand-
ing capitalization of S1N0ONOO0O
The investigation held to-day by Judge I.andi.
was Instituted by him for the expressed purpos.
OF determining whether or not the Standard or
company Of Indiana. which 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 shipments made in violation Of law. was
similarly owned. and also TO obtain an idea OF
the financial resources Of the convicted corpora
ton in order to infiCt fine proportionate to
the offence and the assets of the company
II was stated by officers Of the Standard OF
Company of New Jersey that IL owned the greater
part of the stock of both the Union Tank Ldns
and the Standard oil Company of Indiana Spe-
cifc figures to the earnings of the parent cor
poraton were given by Charles NJ Pratt. it's
given by Mr.. Rockefeller.
The prospective appearance in court OF the
man reputed to be the richest in the world
brought about a spectacle the like of which has
never been witnessed around Chicago court
room.
CROWD SURROUNDS COURT.
The hour set for the appearance Of Mr.. Rookie
feller was 10 o'clock. and an hour before that
time the low celled hallway outside the court
room door was denseIy packed By a crowd all
Of whom were anxious to obtain seats and
near the testimony. squad Of United States
deputy marshals under the direction of United
states Marshal Hoy, and a large detail Of police
were on hand. but even they were unable at
times to control the crowd. The people pushed
and showed. and at times by sheer weight act
ually bore the police and deputies down the hall
The crowd was so dense that frequent cries for
assistance were heard and persons who were
jammed against the wall frantically begged for
/ relief from the pressure 10 which they were sub
tected
Admission 70 the courtroom was by card orIv
but many people crowded IN. evading the guards
and when Judge Laudis took his seat upOn tho
bench the courtroom was packed 10 the last inch.
| Lines Of persons were around the walls dozens
Of chairs held two occupants. every inch OF
standing room was occupied. and men sat upon
the steps Of the jury box and squatted upon the
| floor
| Even after the courtroom was filled the crowd
became so thick and 50 tnsistent that Marshal
quarters for further assistance This was
promptly sent and from that time on the crowd
was held in control Inside the courtroom per-
feet order prevailed at all times. except at the
immediate opening when Judge Landis threat
ened TO clear the room if absolute quiet was not
preserved.
John D. Rockefeller and William Rockefeller
arrived at the Federal Building in the aUtomo-
bile of Harold F Mccormick. the son-in-law OF
John y. Rockefeller. at 80 o'clock The party
first crossed the street to the offices OF ths
Standard oil Company. in the Commercial Ma
tional Bank Building and after remaining there
n short time returned TO the Federal Building
where a large crowd had gathered. So curious
was the crowd 10 see Nh Rockefeller that 10 was
necessary for twenty policemen to force in
pushing back the people to make a pathway for
him. on the steps of the Federal Building the
party was compelled 10 halt while the police
fought with the crowd Five local detectives
and a number Of Secret Service men gathered
closely around Mr.. Rockefeller 10 protect him
from the crush from possible injury at tbs
hands of some fSuatic-
MIR ROCKEFELLER NOT DISTURBED.
Mr. Rockefeller did not seem at all disturbed
by the sensation he excited. and after the path
way had been cleared he and William Rocke-
fener closely attended by the officers. entered
the building. and made their way TO the ele-
vators on the north side Here ear. devoid oe
lights. was under the especial guard of the po-i
lice and entering IL. Mr. Rockefeller was quick-
ly taken TO the sixth floor of the building and
10 the courtroom He was shown 10 a seat 10 the
left of the Judges desk. and was we'll UP into
the room before his arrival was noticed There
was considerable excitement in the crowd. and
some confusion resulted from the efforts made
by all the spectators to obtain a view OF him.
Mr. Rockefeller looked around with some Curl
osty for a moment and then began whispsrso
conversation with of his attorneys
United States Marshal Hoy approached and
asked. Are you comfortable here, MIR Rocke-
feller?"
Perfectly. thans you; I am all right" hs
answered.
William Rockefeller who had been sitting be-
hind his brother. came forward in response To-
a signal and sat by the side of John d Rookie
feller John D. Archbold sat beside William
Rockefeller and grouped around them were
G. NJ. Platt. secretary of the Standard OH COM
many Of New Jersey: William F. Howe and F.
a Rarstov assistant treasurers Of the company
charles T. White. assistant secretary J. A.
Nroffatt president Of the Standard OIL Company
of Tnd,ana, w p Cowau. viCe-president, and
&, " StahI secretary and treasurer OF the same
corporation
other witnesses in the group were Fl. e Fell
TON the president and W. NJ. Hutchinson. secre-
tarv and treasurer. Of the Union Tank Line.
Ered 4 Wann former general freight agent or
the Chicago & Alton Railway, and a number OF
attorneys comIJeted the group
F4efora the hearing of the Standard oil Conn
many case began Judge Landis disposed Of sew
eral other cases. among them the sentencing OF
several prisoners for violation of the postal laws
NJ PockefeIIer showed great interest In these
proceedings. listening intently 20 every word
When the Standard oil investigation was
called the attorneys for tho company. together
with those Of the government. stepped tofWarn
% the front Of Judge Landis's desk Here
1Iessrs Miller and Rosenthal. counsel for ths
evIoo hat Mr.