The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1911-11-26
.FLOODCATES OF
CONTRADICTION
And Now the Preacher, Soaked in
Oil, Comes to the Defense of
Rockefeller and Makes
Donial.
OUTRAGEOUS cHAEGEs
Tells About Merritts Selling Stock
and Not Being Trimmed by
the Great Million
airc.

lunited Press Leased Wire Service.
NEW YORK, Nov 25.--In lengthy
statement which radiated Indignation,
the Rev. Frederick T. Gates, chief
almoner for John d. Rockefeller. to-
night denied the sensational charges
made by Leonidas Merritt, the rough
flsted, grizzled western ore prospec-
tor, who told the Stanley investigating
committee in Washington this week
that Rockefeller, through Gates, had
trimmed him out of millions in the
now famous Mesaba ore land deal.
Rev. Gates called the Merritt story
false and an outrage, repudiated the
words put in his mouth by Merritt and
fatty denied that Rockefeller ever
made demand or call loan of any
kind to the Merritt Bros. He quoted
from Rockefeiler's books, and gave out
some of the correspondence in the
case.
The statement read mere in the
form of an argument to the public than
q protest. The clergyman asserted
that the Merritts who now complain,
have only themselves to blame for
failure to realize fortunes in the big
deal
The statement was issued from the
Standard OIL offices, &c Broadway. 1t
was signed by Gates. The statement
| follows.
4 While the Merritts were testify
ling before the Stanfes committee.
was making a tour of inspection with
some fellow directors over the West
ern Maryland railroad. | have only
| this morning received stenographic
report of the Merritt testimony and
I I have to say that not one syllable of
the words which Leonidas Merritt put
in my mouth was ever uttered by me-
| I have further to say that not one or
the wrong acts which Leonidas Mer-
/ ritt says Mr. Rockefeller committed
Or that | committed in his behalf,
were ever done by either Rockefeller
or me, and that both Mr. Rockefeller
and | on oath denied ali of the wrong
acts specifically and in detail is years
4 ago | need not add that every one
of the Merritts who have made the
charges or had joined In making them.
withdrew the charges over his own
signature because the full document
! in which they did this was given to
the press from this office only a day
J or two ago.
! "But | wish once more specifically
, and with all the emphasis can com
mand, to deny not only in general,
but. in details, these outrageous
, charges of Leonidas Merritt. Leon
J idas Merritt was never induced to
come to New York by Mr. Rockefel-
Ter or his agents. When Mr.. Merritt
came to New York he was not solicit
ed by Mr.. Rockefeller or his agents TO
remain in New York Neither Mr..
Rockefeller nor his agents ever solic-
tied Leonidas Merritt or any one else
to unite in a consolidation of iron
properties. me consolidation was
conceived and effected bv Mr. Merritt
and his friends without solicitation by
Mr.. Rockefeller or his agents Mr.
, Rockefeller never made a demand or
call loan of any kind to Leonidas
, Merritt or any of his brothers. All
, the loans made by Mr. Rockefeller to
the Merritts were time loans. with
specific dates of maturity named in
the notes, and neither of the dates Of
maturity or any other time, did Mr..
, Rockefeller ever demand payment OF
| the loans. They were permitted to
| run on indefinitely. At no time was
I.eonidas Merritt told that he must pay
the loans, either in twenty-four hours
OF any other date. Not the slightest
pressure was ever put upon Merritt
, Or any of his brothers TO pay the loans
: Mr.. Rockefeller was perfectly willing
: to carry them They know well that
!, the pressure upon them came from
other creditors of long standing-nos
Mr.. Rockefeller.
v '.In February, 1891. we received a
q communication from the Merritts, Of
;, fering to sell us 10000 shares OF
; stock for 100000, twice as much
e money as they owed Mr. Rockefeller
n Mr.. Rockefeller accepted their offer
@ giving them an option to buy back for
a one year at per cent more than half
r. the stock This option covered far
IS more than the previous loans from
.r Rockefeller. which Merritt falsely says
NJ were called.
"Was this stock offered Mr.. Rocke
: teller at $40 worth more than $40
Merritt swears that it was worti