The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1913-01-03
HOUSE WARRANT MAY
BE ISSUED FOR HIM
In That Event Sergeant at
Arms and Assistants Can
Break Down Barriers and
Lay Violent Hands on
Contunacious Witness
Chairman Pujo Issues a
Statement of Position

SIdlSIIl6I1C OI TOSlllOli
BRUNSWICK. Ca. Jan. 2.-william
Rockefeller wanted as witness be-
fore the Puio money trust" investi-
eating committee, arrived at Jekyl
Island near Brunswick more than three
weeks ago on an unidentified steamer,
according to reports here tonight.
Accompanied by his wife and son,
Jatter's wife, Rockefeller. instead of
going to the Rockefeller winter home.
took quarters in an apartment house,
and all remained in seclusion. The
apartment house is near the home of
Rockefeller.
Extreme secrecy is maintained by
residents of Jekyl Island regarding the
departure OF the Rockefellers. The
name OF the vessel on which they left
has been carefully withheld.
Tonight it was said that Rockefeller
chartered a special steamer. A rumor
also was current that the party sailed
on the private yacht of New York
sportsman and that their destination
was Bermuda.
All sorts Of runlors are flying around.
Tonight it was stated Rockefeller has
been here with his immediate family,
stopping at an apartment house for
more than week.
House May Take Action
WASHINGTON. Jan. 2.-House Off
Gals today We're inclined to the view
that the best procedure to adopt in the
effort to reach William Rockefeller
with subpoena would be to have the
judiciary committee Immediately re-
port and the house adopt a resolution
instructtng an attachment be served
upon him. Jerry South, chief clerk Of
the house. conferred today with num-
her Of the house leaders on the sub
tect
Charles F. Riddel, sergeant at arms.
who is IN New York, has consulted
with Charles z. Crisp, the parliament
tartan of the house. who failed TO find
any precedents upon a quick examina-
tfon of the question. If a summons
had been actually served on Rookie
felIer, there would be no doubt as to
the right to arrest him on a criminal
warrant on the ground of being
contumacious witness.
After talking with house leaders.
and with Jerry South, chief clerk of
the house Chairman Pujo of the money
trust committee tonight issued a state
ment reviewing the attempts to secure
the testimony of Rockefeller, in which
he expressed the hope that it would
Q not be necessary to exert the "full
legal power" of the house to secure
service. Pujo would not say what plans
were evolved to aid the sergeant at
arms. He said meeting of the COM
mittee would be called tomorrow or
Saturday and the matter taken up
formally.
PORE OVER PRECEDENTS
Members OF the committee, after por-
ing over the precedents, were puzzled
as to the exact method by which the
house c1uld enforce service. Mr. Puio
was inclined to believe that the fact
that the committee had received
through attorneys, not acting Off
cially a physicians certificate setting
forth that Rockefeller was too i'll to
testify might be interpreted as an
acknowledgement by the oil magnate
that he knew the process had been is
sued for him. Pujo also said that the
facts could be certified to the house.
and an attachment for Rockefeller is
sued by resolution. This would allow
the sergeant at arms to seize him
forcibly
While the house officials pondered
the question at length series of wild
reports as to proposed plans for get
ting the elusive witness circulated
about the capitol. One rumor was that
the sergeant at arms was about to en-
ploy woman detective to get the miss
ing millionaire Another was that an
attack in force was to he made by the
deputies stationed about the Rookie
feller home. Still another was that the
military authorities would be called on
fer assistance. The members of the
committee laughed at the fantastic
stories.
o In his statement tonight PuJo said:
AT my request subpoena was issued
under the signature of the house and by
Q authority of law some time last June.
notwithstanding repeated efforts the
sergeant at arms and his force have
been unable to make service
Not long since a certificate was sent