The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1912-05-29
STANDARD OIL
NACNATE. ABLE
To FOIL LAWYER
John D. Rockefeller, Dressed
in Height Of Fashion, .Testi-
fies at Hearing Before Spe-
Cial Examiner Jacobs.
UNTERMYER FAILS
TO TRAP WITNESS.
Worlds Richest Man Avoids
Giving Direct Answers 10
Simple Questions; Exani-
nation Unsatisfactory.
UNTERMYER FAILS
TO TRAP WITNESS
BY Interna,ional News sorvics.

n EN NOh'h, May SS.-J0hD u
nj Rockefeller was subjected to Il
u gruelIinG examination today by
Samuel Untcrmycr in the pro
ceedings instituted in Missouri by the
WatcrsPicrcc Oil company to prevent
that former subsidiary of tic Standard
Oil trust from again falling under the
control Of the Rockefeller interests.
The examination was conducted be-
fore Special Examiner J. l.. Jacobs, ap-
pointed by the Missouri court TO take
testimony in the legal defense that II.
CLAY Pierce, president of the Waters
Pierce company, is making against the
continued domination of the company
by the masters OF the old oil trust,
which is supposed to have been dis
solved by the decree of the supreme
court of the United States.
For two hours Mr.. Rockefeller was
IN the witness chair. Brown as nut
and freckled as turkey egg, the
world s richest man stood the ordeal
WITHOUT apparent fatigue, pain or en-
barrassment. He was dressed in nat
tv gray tweed suit, the frock coat of
which was cut III the latest fashion. lie
wore Il neglgee madras shirt of deli
cate pink tint and with detachable
cuffs that frequently caught the sleeves
Of his coat and protruded their upper
edges. 4 white silk four-in- hand tie,
holding brilliant emerald stickpin,
completed his attire.
Untermyer Foiled.
Mr. Rockefeller proved hard task
for the adroit and skillful Mr.. Inter
mycr. The lawyer could have finished
with the witness in few minutes had
Mr. Rockefeller not artfully and per
sistentlv avoided giving direct answers
to simple questions, All Untermyor
wanted 10 elicit WAS why he had given
his proxy to be voted by men avowed-
~ unknown to him al the last annual
election Of directors Of the Waters
Pierce Oil company. But MIR. Rookie
fclIcr never did tell. except in sort
of vague, unsatisfactory sort of way.
The examining lawyer stormed and
ragged at him at times and again would
laugh and plead. But all to little effect
upon Mr. Rockefeller, who insisted on
making what Mr.. Untermyer called
"speeches, - instead of giving direct
answers,
AT tho conclusion of the examination
Mr.. untermyer declared that he had
finally achieved what he started out to
do, This WAS the admission by Mr..
Rockefeller that "group Of gentle
men are still directing the. policies OF
Standard Oil from the same old stand
at o6 Broadway.
Counsel Suggests.
Mr.. Rockefeller personal counsel,
George w. Murray, sat by his side and
frequently had violent collisions with
Mr.. Uuteruycr by interrupting the
witness answers or adroitly suggesting
replies, Austin 6, Fox and half |
dozen other Standard Oil lawyers also
were ranged around the commissions
er's table. All of them, as well as
the hundred or more spectators and
scores of reporters and artists who
crowded Mr., Untermyer 3 library to
the limit were kept in an almost con,
stant litter by the sinuous manner In
which Mr.. Rockefeller twisted himself |
out Of the Untermyer grip. Only once
did the witness show tho fire Of spirit |
that has made him the world Is greatest |
money king, That was when Mr.. I'm
termyer declared that H"rhcrc has been
no cutting loose OF the Standard Oil |
parts by holding tight.
'''rhere has been a cutting loose and |
no holding tight. fIared mp MIR. |
Rockefeller in voice that could be
heard in the outer hall. He leaned far
over toward his tormentor when he
said this and pounded the table with
his open right hand. AT other times
Mr.. Rockefeller cooed at Mr.. Inter |
myer softly and rcassuringly.
Knew Where He Lived.
TO only the first question put to
him after he had been sworn did MIR. |
Rock cfcllcr give a ready and brief re- |
ply. This WAS MS 10 whore he lived |
Continued on Page Two)