Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-06

on loaded ana empty cars atihe' saiu WI
"Are you sure you paid it on empty cars?'
asked the judge.
THAT Is my best recollection"
do YOU know whether or not the STOCK
of the Union Tank Line Cempany.is owned
b. 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
CT the Standard Oil Company of New Jer-
sey is?'
mo. sir
Rockefeller Took the Oath.
John d. Rockefeller" called Judge Ian
dis
Amid dead silence the oil magnate arose
to his feet and started for the witness
chair At the same moment the Standard
OIL attorneys clustered around Judge Lam
dis desk and began whispered censnlta-
ton with him. Mr.. Rockefeller hesitated.
"Sit right still moment, john, said his
brother, and Mr.. Rockefeller resumed his
seat.
Messrs. Miller and Rosenthal of the
Standard OIL Sims and Wilkerson OF the
federal court and Arthur Eddy, Chicago
attorney for the Standard Oil, held low
voiced conversation with Judge. Lands
which stretched into the minutes, Mr.. Rock
efelIer meanwhile waiting with mildly
curious expression on his face.
Finally an understanding as to the ques-
tlouing was reached, and the attorneys re-
Suned their seats.
"John d. Rockefeller" again called Judge
Lands and John d. Rockefeller, president
of the Standard OIL Company of New Jer-
sey left his seat walked slowly to the wit
ness chair at the right of Judge Lands
and raised his right hand the clerk ad-
mlnistered the oath. You swear to tell the
truth. the whole truth, and nothing but the
truth, so help you God"
Il do" affirmed Mr.. Rockefeller distinctly
as the clerk finished.
Honorary President.
Mr. Rockefeller sat down. crossed his
legs. leaned his right hand on his cane, put
his left hand on the judges desk and looked
intentIy at Judge Lands.
MIR Rockefeller" asked Judge Lands,
have you any connection with the Stand
ard OIL Company"
II am president of the Standard Oil Com
pany of New Jersey" said Mr.. Rockefeller
deliberately.
THE position 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 Jer-
sey?" asked Judge Lands.
Object calculated Mr.. Miller.
"Overrued." said Judge Lands.
Il believe about S1o0O00,O00 Is outstand-
ing" said Mr.. Rockefeller II do not state
this definitely, your honor"
You think, then, it is about 800, 0OO.OOO?"
THAT is my idea"
Mr.. Rockefeller spoke very deliberately,
Invariably looking toward LIS attorneys be-
fore answering Judge Lands questions.
but listening closely to the judge as the
latter. leaning toward the oil magnate,
slowly enunciated his questions.
Generally speaking" resumed Judge
Lands, after a moments hesitation what
is the business of the Standard Oil Com
pany of New Jersey?"
The production of OIL succinctly re-
nlied Mr.. Rockefeller. and the crowd
smiled.
Then Mr.. Miller again objected to this
line of questioning. Judge Lands listened
to him, overruled the objection and Mr..
Rockefeller resumed his answer.
your honor said he. leaning toward
Judge Landis Il have been so long out of
business, long out of this business. that
/ could not well answer that question. 1t
Is a dozen years since l have been actively
related with it's affairs. 1t Is eight or ten
years, your honor. since l have even been
in the office at ALL
Well. what is your general impression
of what the business of the Standard Oil
Company is?"
They have refneries to refine oil. This
is near l can say without study
of the charter.
Attorneys Repeatedly Object.
Again came the objections from Mr. Mil
Ter, Mr.. Rosenthal Joining. Judge Lands
overruled the objections and proceeded
with MS questioning.
Does the Standard OIL Company of New
Jersey own stock in the Standard Oil"
Object" came instantly from Mr.. Miller.
He offered lengthy objections to the ques-
tons of indirect ownership. in the course OF
which he said the government has pur-
pose in this Investigation ~.'-.
What do you mean by a purpose?'
asked the-court. ------~
II have seen such statements in the
papers
ba in of
SELL" replied the judge. that the govern
ment has no part in this particular inquiry.
1t Is pertinent for the court to prosecute
this investigation to obtain knowledge OF
the wealth of this corporation"
Have you any impression. Mr.. Rookie
Teller that the Standard Oil Company of
New Jersey is interested in other refneries
than the one you have mentioned?
Il only know OF the operation of refiner-
les in New Jersey owned by the Standard
Oil Company of New Jersey"
DO you know of its control Of other
companies?'
Il do Ept know. 1t may be So
In reply to further questioning the wit
ness said that he could not say that the
company had any other business than the
refining of oil. You are rather technical,
he concluded.
What were the dividends of the Stand
ard OIL Company of New Jersey In 1905?
Il cannot say exactly but approximately
40 per cent.
This concluded the questions of Judge
Landis and District Attorney Sims asked
IL the witness was familiar with the cir
cumstances surrounding the formation OF
the Standard Oil Company of Indiana.
81 don't think l care for that" said
Judge Lands.
What officers of the Standard Oil Com
pany will be able to give the earnings
OF the Standard Oil Company during, 1904
and 1902"
Il think possibly Mr.. Archbold or Mr..
Pratt"
THAT is all for the present" said the
court.
Mr.. Rockefeller gazed around in an alb
sent minded way and was then told by
bailiff that he was through for the present.
Pratt More Communicative.
c. NJ. Pratt, secretary of the Standard Oil
Company of New Jersey, was then called.
He was questioned regarding the amount of
dividends paid by the company. and was
then asked if the Standard Oil Company of
New Jersey owned the stock of the Stand
ard Oil Company of Indiana. He said it
did
How much of to-
"A large proportion of it"
rs the stock OF the Union Tank Line
Company owned by the Standard Oil Com
pany of New Jersey?"
In large measure; yes SIR
DO you recall how large an amount?"
al pyaprly