The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-08
Attack Leaves Strangling
Man on Verge of Nerv-
Gus Collapse
HAD BEEN ASKED BUT
FOUR QUESTIONS
Condition of Aged Oil Magnate Puts
Abrupt Termination to Examina-
tion Instigated by Money
Trust Committee

ITuSt &Ofuhltttt
Jekyl Island. Ca, February "A spasm
of the throat thar left William Rockefeller
a stranglng, trembling old man, on the
verge of nervous collapse, abruptly ter
minated his examination by Chairman
Pujo and Counsel Samuel Untermyer of
the House money trust committee here
today.
Mr. Rockefeller was asked just four
questions, all practically immaterial, be-
fore the attack forced the conclusion of
the ring. The aged Standard Oil mag
nate was closeted with the committeeman
for Just Il minutes. At the end of the
time he was assisted to his couch by DIR.
Walter f. Chappell, his physician, who
declared his patient exhausted.
In plainly, but elegantly, furnished
room in William Rockefellers apartment
ia the apartment house, San Souci, on the
isolated island that forms the estate of the
exclusive milIianaires' club of Jekyl
Island, the 72-year-old Standard Oil mag
nate submitted 10 the questions of the
money trust inqusitors. There ended the
six months search of the government
servers who bounded the reluctant wit
ness from New York to the Bahamas,
and who lay seise to his New York town
house.
No Information Obtained
The net result of the examination, so
far as the money trust investigation was
concerned, added practically nothing OF
value to the record. 1t did demonstrate
to the satisfaction of Mr. untermyer and
Mir. Pujo that Mr.. Rockefeller was hard
ly a fit subject physically for a gruelling
cross examination on the details of his
financial career. Members of the Jekyl
Island club and DR. Walter f. Chappell
tonight shook their heads doubtfully when
asked about Mr.. Rockefellers physical
condition.
Mfr Rockefeller is in a very serious
state" said Dr. Chappell. He said that a
new growth OF a malignant nature had
recently formed in Mr. Rockefeller S
throat and that serious developments were
to be expected at any time.
~, contrsary 70 expectations, the exclusive
Jelxyl Island club interposed no objections
to tho invasion of its private domain by
tho congressional inquisitors. The club
iaunch, shining with holystone and brass
polish met Mr.. Pujo and Mr.. Untermyer
az the Brunswick dock and carried them
with the retinue of clerks and stenog-
raphers to Mr.. Rockefellers apartment,
which is in the same building with those
of James ]. Hill and ]. p Morgan. A
footman on guard at locked door greet
ed them, but they were admitted, accom-
panied by John A. Carver and A. j.
Cravatt, counsel for Mr.. Rockefeller, and
Df. Chappel1. In the apartment were
Mrs. Rockefeller and Mr.. Rockefeller s
two sons and his daughter, Mrs. McAlpin.
Examination Delayed
The examination was delayed for time
ty a conference between counsel for the
prospective witness and Mr.. Untermyer,
but the inquisitors We're finally ushered
into large drawing room, where Mr..
Rockefeller, bent and shaking with the
palsy, sat in large arm chair beside
glass topped table. The room was fur-
nished in white and soft tones OF dark red
and ii overlooked the little arm of the
sea s.Jelxyl Creek" that separates the
ncilionaires of the island from the hustle
and noise of the busy cotton port OF
Brunswick.
The trembling hands of the once ac-
tive head of the powerful Standard OIL
eroup of bankers settled on the arm of
He did not remain standing long, how
ever and his whispered word of greet
ing was inaudible to even those nearest
him.
The chair of Mr. Rockefeller was moved
close beside a small table. at which the
official stenographer took his place. AT a
larger rable few feet away Mr. Pujo
and Mr. Intermyer took their places.
Beside a cheerful CRATE fire sat Mr.. Gar
yer, Mr.. Cravatt and DR.. Chappell, Mr..
Pujo's secretary. Mr. Untermyer's secre-
tarv and Mr. Rockefeler's stenographer
were the only other persons in the room.
In Pitiful Condition
you will please be sworn, Mr. Rock
efeller.' said Chairman Pujo, but as the
oil nagnate endeavored with considerable
difficulty to arise. the chairman mo-
toned him back to his seat. Seated, with
his trembling hand uplifted. the standard
Oil magnate acknowledged the oath to
sneak the truth, the whole truth, and
nothing but the truth Throughout the
gray head wagged violently, under the
graw head wagged violenly, under the
influence of the palsy.
AS soon as he was sworn the Standard
Oil magnate handed to the stenographer
a slip of paper with the whispered re-
Guest that the stenographer read 1t.
~ am urgently advised and warned, :
read the stenographer ''by my physician,
that this examination is precarious 10 ne
condition of my throat. desire. how
ever to make the effort, as / have not
now and never have had any disposi-
ton to avoid testifying before your COM
y,,ittee except as / have been cautiorel
by my physician that doing so would en-.
danger my life. If find that the strain
IS too great for men to take further risk
shall have to ask your indulgence in
NOT pressing the examination further.
GAS / have lost my voice / would es-
teem it a privilege IL you would permit
me to whisper my answers to the Official
~tenographer who sits beside me, and
who will read them aloud 1t is impcs-
sible for me TO write them"
This was agreed to and Mr. Untermyer
stated the position OF the committee AZ
follows:
.Mr Rockefeller. the chairman will ex-
pect you and your physicians to advise
us if YOU feel at any time that your con-
/ dition becomes such as to render further
/ examination inadvisable. 1t must be clear
| " understood that neither the chairman
- 10 m n IL