Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1911-11-23
lated. and for that reason would not
take any stock I'm the consolidation.
John D. "hard Up."

lated. and for that reason would not
take any stock in the consolidation.
John D. "Hard Up"
He would jus, keep the bonds in
The proposed Lake Superior Consoli-
dated Iron Mine company we We're or
me and told him would agree. Then
he turned me over again to the Rev.
DR.. Gates"
Gates told him that Rockefeller was
hard up.
by golly," said Merritt, Il believed
him then, but now ] know that Gates
lied"
Arrangements for the taking over of
the bonds by MIR. Rockefeller were
DELAYED for some time.
.'It was brutal said Merritt. the
way we Were held back by George
Wellsworth Murray. Mr.. Rockefeller's
counsel, and Preacher Gates. In the
meetings Gates merely tried to talk
the time away. ] did not realize then
to hold us Off Finally 1 went to one of
the directors of our company, an honest
woodsnaan whom I had known years
before. He had been to see Mr.. Rookie
feller and this is What he said
to me:
II went TO Rockefeller. Lon. and
gave him {, certain number of days to
boys. Today I went again to see him
and he refused and have quit
Oil Lawyer Objects.
All this juncture Attorney Reid
counsel for the steel corporation. asked
Chairman Stanley IL he still thought
this line of testimony competent In the
inquiry.
THE chair feels that right at this
minute he is performing the greatest
I,r "A \, ,jt. f1. ~
Mr.. Stanley replied.
commerce law?' inquired Mr. Reid.
ITO humanity was Mr. Stanley's
stern reply.
Here Mr.. Merritt took the thread of
his story and described another inter-
view he had with Rev. MIR. Gates.
Proposition BY Preacher.
This interview was while his stock
was still up as collateral With Mr.
Rockefeller.
Gates came to me, said Merritt, and
said L come from John ID. Rockefeller.
He has made up his mind just what he
wants done. and have come to tell
you about it. and am proud to do it,.
The other day took $1.000.000
of MIR. Rockefeller's money 10 Chicago
] thought that Was The proudest mo-
nlent OF my life but | am prouder
now
The witness said Gates outlined to
him how Mr. Rockefeller and his in
tcrests could throw him and his BROTH
er out of the company to protect other
interests. but as they had borne the
lieved they could reap the benefits.
Gates said that Mr.. 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 sal. we would have to do the
viii OF Rockefeller.
Would Slaughter Others.
Il listened in amazement when he
said that if Rockefeller protected us
that the stocks of others would be
thrown down, and he mentioned the
names of several men. My brother, who
was present, turned to Gates and said:
"'Mr. Gates, we've got laws in our
country. TO do what you want TO dc
would land US in Jail. MIR. Rockefeller
with his s700,0on,G00 can't make us dc
that.
Il turned to Gates and said Mr.
Cites. you came from John ID. Rookie
fcllcr. Go back to John ID. Rockefeller
and tell him that when steal for a
living ] will steal for myself
1T was soon after this interview that
L WIS llollIltu lllslL WI. Mouiu nave ~
hours to take up our Rockefeller loan
There l was with all my stock up
stoclss that have never seen since.
lid not haze money enough to get
home with. Gates seemed TO be
amazed to think that would not dc
what he wanted me to do, and at one
time told me ! would have To walk
home on the ties"
Witness Grows Excited.
Merritt grew excited as ne told the
story and turning suddenly in his chail
and facing George w. Murray, MIR
Rockefcller'5 counsel. pounded the ta
bic and he declared:
II couldn't sec how In h-ll / coul(
not have gone to New York with mill
ions and in those few months have
lost thoni all and was standing thcr,
contemplating the wreck. had gone
there placing confidence in MIR Muir
ray as counsel
/ would like to interrupt here, sait
MIR. Rockefellors counsel rising To hi,
feet, ITO have the witness asked ii J
ever acted rs his counsel. ANY suci
statement is an absolute falsehood.
"lll answer that" said MIR Merritt.
"Weren't vol the counsel for the Con
soldated company2 And didn't yol
act with me throughout these proceed
ines'?'
Here Chairman Stanley interrupted
and said he did not propose to hav,
witnesses insulted, but he permitte.
| the question as to whether Mr.. Murra,
had ever acted as Merritts persona
counsel and tho witness said he hat