The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-04-27

who was right on the ground and in
daily touch with che management OF
the affairs-yet he fails to show any
more acquaintance with its affairs than
a mere clerk. He didn't know about
the profits made by the company from
refining its oil. The amount was given
at 500 600 and he was asked If it was
correct.
II couldn't say even approximately.
1 never examined the books, came
back his answer.
1--WE had diverse opinions about
great many things" said Richie when
asked by Wilson concerning disputes
which he had with Tucker about the
policy of the company.
Richie testified that he wanted to
build a pipe line from Cherryvale south
to the gulf but that Tucker opposed
that on the basis thc4 northern peo-
pie used more oil than the south. That
better market existed In the north
than in the southern states ana sug.
gested the IRE line to the Missouri
river at Atcnison.
An attempt was made to bring the
Standard Oil company into the contro-
versy by showing that the Standard
Oil by it's influence upon the railroads
the oil fields in the Indian territory
than the Uncle Sam company could
secure and that 1T was an evident COM
bine to beat the latter company.
Judge Amidon, however, refused to per-
nit this to be brought up and sus-
tanned an objection made.
Recurring to the matter of dlvi-
dends, Wilson asked: You know that
the company had accumulated very
large amount of tar at CherrYvale pre-
vious to the June, 1906, dividend?"
Eyes, SIR
when the June dividend was declar-
ed, as a director, did you believe that
the company had sufficient money to
declare a dividend?'
1T did,
Wilson asked him if it wasn't small
dividend amounting to about one mill
on the dollar and amounting in all to
$4,000. Ritchie thought that was cor
rect.
Did you have any idea of declaring
a dividend to stimulate the sale OF
stock?"
1.-THE dividend was paid, wasn't it?"
Eyes. sir"
In December, 1906. another dividend
was declared, wasn't there?'
Yes, sir
"a large amount of tar had peen
accumulated?"
Eyes, 1 think So"
"The amount of the dividend
amounted to three mills share, didn't
it?'
IT am not sure about it. I didn't
pay much attention to it.
1T was payable 100 days after
date?"
Eyes, 1 believe So"
"Did Mr.. Tucker ever say anything
to you that indicated it was his idea
that the declaring of dividends was
done for the purpose of stimulating
the sale of stock?"
mo, sir. 1 never heard him say
anything like that
In reply to questions, Richie stated
hot q
big profit in the sale Of tar. that 1t
was clear profit. In explanation of the
organization of the Missouri Valley
Advertising agency which was organ
lied by Tucker. Richie testified it was
done for the purpose of securing a 15
perS on their regular rates for placing
advertising of the Uncle Sam COM
pany.
Richie stated he had always be-
lieved in the honesty of Tucker and
still held such a belief and thought
that it was the intent of Tucker to
complete the construction of the Tulsa.
Atchison and Cherryvale refneries and
complete the pipe lines connecting
them. He stated that his salary as
vice president was finally increased
from SIS per week to $50 per month,
that the first named salary was paid
him at the outset of the organization
from fuckers own pocket while
Tucker was working without any
salary.
Mrs. H. H. Tucker, mother of H. H.
Tucker, jr., came from Oklahoma City,
her home, to be present at the trial OF
her son and occupied chair back Of
him In the court room today
Two weeks ago the editor of the
Grass Valley Tribune went up into the
mountains on a summer hunt, being one
| Of a party Of four. The other three