The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-11-22

out success were H. c. Prick and An
drew Carnegie
Prick. who was then in the Car
negie company, invited me TO see him,
said Merritt
He buldozed me. cut me off short
and ridiculed my project. After the
completion Of the road in 1892 some
of the officers of the company tried
to sell out 81 per cent of the stock in
the mines and railroad to the Mime
sofa Iron company, rival concern
That deal was blocked.
AT that time. Senator Clapp, who
was a stockholders with the Merritts
and their attorney, urged them to sell,
but they did not It was at this time
that Mr. Rockefeller was suggested to
me as the man who might be interest
ed in the project"
Gates stuck to Him.
Merritt related how in 1893 he went
to New York with Rev. S. D. Gates,
Mr. Rockefeller's aImoner.
Gates was his constant companion
and urged him 10 ACCEPT the cousclida-
ton Of interests proposed by Mr. Rock
efellCr
Gates took me to Rockefeller" said
Merritt I felt honored at being cali
ed before such a magnate- He seemed
to be a kindly, brotherly sort OF Eel
low. He told ne that my brother and
were all right, for he had looked US
up and that we had done a great work
in Minnesota He said il We would
agree to the consolidation proposed he
would take care OF US. He said he
would be proud to be my partner and
hacker. He also said he never specu-
lated and for that reason would not
take any str K in TIL consolidation
He would just keep the bonds in
the proposed Lake Supel or Gems olida-
ted Iron Mine company that we were
organizing. His talk captured me and
1 told him I would agree.
Merritt said Gates told him that
Rockefeller was hard up.
BY golly," said Merritt, q believed
him then, but now know that Gates
lied
of the bonds of Mr. Rockefeller We're
delayed for some time
At this juncture, Attorney Reid,
counsel for the steel corporation, asked
Chairman Stanley if he still thought
this line of testimony competent in
The chair feels that right at this
minute he is performing the greatest
public service he ever did in his life.
Mr. Stanley replied.
In CONNIE elton with the interstate
commerce law" inquired Mr. Reid
ITO humanity" was Mr.. Stanley's
stern reply
interview he had with Rev. Mr.. Gates
while his stock was still up as col
lateral with Mr. Rockefeller
Gates Comes Again.
Gates came to me-" said Mr. Mer-
rift. and said. I come from John D.
Rockefeller. He has made up his mind
Just what he wants done and 1 have
come 10 tell You about it. The other
dav I took million dollars of Mr.
money to Chicago and
gave il to the Chicago university I
thought that was the proudest mo-
ment of my life, but I am prouder
now
Gates said that Ir. Rockefeller
would rather deal with US Merritt
continued. and If we would deal with
him We could remain in the company
and be taken care Of In order to do
that he said. We would have to do
he will of Rockefeller. I listened in
lmazenlent when he sri J that i Rock
sfeller protected US that the stocks Of
others would be thrown down and ne
renIipned the names OF several men, |
Ny brother, who was present, said TO !
Gates:
To DO what you want to do would |
and US in Jail MIR. Rockefeller with |
lis $700. 90o. 600 cant make US do that |
7 turned to Gates and said: Mr.. /
istes YOU came from John D Rookie !
-eller. Go hack to John D. Rockefel- !
er and tell him that when I steal for !
4 living I Will steal for myself
TT was soon after this interview |
hat I was notified that we would have