Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-10-28
JOHNSON RIDTCULES
U. S. LAWYERS CASE
IN THE STEEL SUIT
Corporation Attorney S
Thunderous Denunciation
Is Relieved by Flashes of
Quiet Humor.

The "other side Of the story" about the
steel Trust" was taken up today by
John G. Johnson. 1t was final plea that
the United States Steel Corporation
should not be dissolved
Facing the four Judges in the United
States Circuit Court of Appeals, in the
Post Office Building, the dean of Penn
sylvania's corporation lawyers began his
argument in a low tone which he steadily
raised. Several times the veteran lawyer
brought his two fists down upon the table
with loud thud as he brought out in
dramatic fashion:
"Who was harmed7"
"will you tell me was that an lnjus-
tice?"
Ridiculous"
More than 100 persons who were un-
able to get seats stood in the rear OF
the courtroom. Among them were many
lawyers. who had come to hear the de-
fense plea. on one side of the court
loom sat a group OF law students Of
the University of Pennsylvania.
Richard V. Lindabury. Of Newark, N
j.; c. Severance, of St. Paul, Mimi:
David A. Reed. of Pittsburgh, and the
other prominent lawyers in the defense
Of the steel Trust" sat in row with
their eyes fixed on the white-haired at
torney.
JoHNsON's WIT sTIRS LAUGHTER.
The spectators listened attentively.
Once they laughed. Mr.. johnson was
responsible for the laugh.
Resting his two elbows on the high
table in the centre of the courtroom,
Mr., johnson. with smile. began to
answer Special Assistant Attorney General
Cotton, who stated that more steel would
be sold in America if the prices were
lower.
The steel market is we'll supplied with
steel at the present time" said the at
toEney. That is one of the reasons why
steel isn't being bought as much as be-
fore"
Raising his elbows and looking at the
Government prosecutors, Mr. Johnson con-
tinued:
L suppose II steel could be crushed into
jelly ana then decorated with a delicious
cream sauce the demand for steel would
be greater. Just now everybody is sup
piled with all sorts OF steel products"
Opening his argument Mr.. Johnson
paid a tribute to the other corporation
lawyers. Scanning the faces of the coun-
try's highest priced corporation lawyers,
Mr.. Johnson said:
My colleagues have so thoroughly
discussed the whole case that I am left
in the embarrassing position of having
nothing left to say"
ANALYzEs THE CHARGES.
Mr.. Johnson, however, said great deal.
A complete denial of the Governments
charges was made by the Trusts" chief
attorney. Every charge on which Jacob
Dickinson, former Secretary OF War,
argued was carefully analyzed. Different
charges were discussed at length. Many
times the lawyer turned around and
dramatically denounced the charges with
the word ridiculous"
"Our adversary has seen fit to attack
Judge Gary for transaction which oc-
CURED 12 years ago" formation of steel
Trust'O.
tribute was paid to Judge Gary by
the lawyer for integrity and especially
for helping to prevent panic which was
facing the country in 1907 at the time the
Tennessee Coal and Iron Company was
taken over by the steel Trust
COUNTRY FACES CRISIS"
-At that particular N4LlAS 'A'S S"NiI'S
was facing a crisis" said the lawyer,
"and a panic seemed impossible to avert.
A lighted match would have resulted in
a frightfuI confagratlon at that particu-
lar time. The transfer OF that company
by such men as Judge Gary and others
was what prevented a panic and frightful
suffering"
Mr.. johnson stated that the Steel Cor
poratlon always was ready 10 answer any
question Of Government investigators be-
fore the suit was filed.