Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1907-07-06
ROCKEFELLER ON STAND
ATTRACTS LARGE CROWDS
Worlds Money King Says That He Is Simply
A Figurehead of the Standard
Oil Company

clared the major, portion Of the st0C8
Of the Union Tank Line Ia owned by
the standard Oil Co., Of New Jersey.
John D. Rockefeller was next called
At the same moment the Standard On
attorneys clustered around Judge Lam
dis desk and a whispered conversation
that stretched into minutes occuyreS&r
Finally an understanding as to htD
questioning was reached and the att
torneys resumed their seats.
John d. Rockefeller" again called
Standard Oil Co., left his seat and
walked slowly to the witness chair
and was sworn.
In answer to question, Rockefeller
said he was president of the Standard
Oil Co., but his position, for the past
eight or ten years had been purely
nominal. He said the outstanding
stock of the Standard Oil Co. is about
$100,000,000, but he was unable to go
into details regarding its business as tE
had been a dozen years since he Wa@
actively related with its affairs ana
for the ten years past had not EVEN
been to its office at all.
Judge Landis asked If the Standard
Oil Co., Of New Jersey, is interested
| in the Standard Oil Co., Of, here
! Counsel Miller, for the defense, brokeA
/ in with the custofary object.ng. ac-
companying it with an extended state
fent attacking the real purpose OF
Judge Landis' questioning, and declar--
ing the government has "a purpose i'm
this Investigation"
Judge Lands stated for the de-
fense's information that the govern~
ment has nothing to do with the i'm
quiry, that it is solely to enable tho
court to find out the wealth Of his corr
poration.
Rockefeller could not say whether
the standard OIL owned or controller
the other companies, but thought H.
might. He said the dividends OF thss
New Jersey company were about 40,
per cent in 1905 and that Archbold or-
Pratt were the officers of the company
who could give the information soughEa
as TO the earnings in 1904-1905.
c. M. Pratt was next called. After
being questioned regarding the divi--
dends of the Standard Oil Co. of New
Jersey Pratt testified that this COM
pany owned large proportion OF thsr
stock of the Standard OH Co. of In
diana and of the Union Tank Lima.
He could not tell the exact amount
E. M. Stanton, of the car departments
of the Alton, was next called and was.
asked If he could tell what m0DeywA
were paid the Alton by the Standard
Oil and Union Tank Line companies
He said he could not.
A long discussion occurred regard
ing the rates and earn ngs, followinG
which Judge Landis asked II the de-
Tense desired to introduce any evil
dence in this case. The counsel at first
answered, Absolutely nothing" The
courgt suggested that the defense take
every care to see that such evidences
as may be of Importance to the de--
fense should be submitted, as he de--
sired to extend every facility to tfb@s
defense
The court said they would take SUCH
: Monday morning. This ended the in-
vestigation. Judge Landis said after
adjournment that the investigations
was concluded so far as he Is con-
cerned and the witnesses were dIs-~
. charged.
! The case at issue is the governmenu'
: against the Standard Oil Co. Of Tsa--
diana.
After stubborn trial the oil COM
+ pany was found guilty on 1,462 counts
t of having given rebates to the AIt0n
) railroad. Judge Landis is empowereG
y to fine the defendant from $1,000 10
d $4,000 on each count or maxfmuTna
II penalty OF S2s,240oo0.
.. The capital stock of Indiana com
n pany is but s1.ooo.0o0 and the supreme
y court might deem the maximum nne
70 as falling In the clas OF cruel and un-
usual punishments prohibited by the
ID constitution If shown, however, thar
le the Indiana company is merely sub
ID sidiary to the New Jersey conrane
= with a capital Of a1oo;cco.ooo no. suCi
appeal could be made