Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-02-11
ROCKEFELLERFA|LS
TO THROW LIGHT ON
|. CONTINENTAL DEAL
FinanCier Is Questioned for
Hour by Senate Oil
Committee.
CANNOT SUGGEST PLAN
TO GET FACTS ON BONDS
Masnate Says He Is "Disappoint-
ed" Over Stewards Refusal
to Answer Probers.

BE- the Associated Press.
John D. Rockefeller. IT., whose family
name Is synonymous with the develop
men: Of the oil industry, told the
Senate Teapot Dome committee today
that he could throw no light on the
disposition Of the elusive Liberty bonds
Of the Continental Trading Co. Of
Canada
Appearing in committee room
choked with spectators. the son Of the
famous oil magnate expressed desire
that the facts about the deal and the
national scandal" growing out Of It
should be brought to light. so that the
reputation OF the oil business might be
cleared, but he could not answer the
vital question the committee pro-
pounded
Confidence in Stewart.
Rockefeller declared himself to be
bitterly disappointed" that Robert w.
Standard Oil Co. of Indiana. had risked
Jail sentence TO withhold testimony
before the committee. but at the same
time he expressed the utmost conf
dence in Stewards integrity.
Asked II he could suggest any way
the committee could get at the facts
about the bonds. Rockefeller said he
had given the subject consideration,
but nothing had suggested itself.
Grand jury action in the case OF
Stewart got under way today when
United States District Attorney Gordon
took before the inquisitors documentary
evidence of Stewards refusal to answer
The questions asked By the oil COM
mlttee.
For Stewards refusal to talk, he was
arrested by the Senate, and a decision
Is pending in the Supreme Court Of the
District on the permanency Of the ha-
beas corpus writ. cy which he escaped
going before the bar OF the Senate Cor
sentence for contempt.
Nye May Testify.
The prosecutor expected that Senator
Nye OF North Dakota, chairman of the
committee. and Senator Walsh Of Mon
sana, The Senate's prosecutor. would
/ testify.
The documents introduced today IN
, Guided executive orders, senate resolu-
| tons and other material having 70 do
with the investigation. the siilnrnoaing
of Stewart and mis- destinations to an
iTer the questions.
Gordon thought that il no unexpected
delays were encountered the grand
jury could act not later than the middle
ot next week.
Martin d. McQuade. foreman Of the
grand jury. was foreman OF the grand
jury which returned indictments as the
result Of the collapse OF the roof OF the
Snickerbocker Theater during q snow.
Storm here SIX years ago. Among the
% jurors are Women--Ciara B. STAINS
Dough. Mrs. TeriSa A. Padgett and Miss
II. Elizabeth Ramsey.
Mr. Rockefeller arrived here last night
III answer 10 q committee summons.
but declined 20 talk until he could get
before, the investigators, The commit
tee Subpoenaed him in the nope that
he would provide the information TN
successfully sought from Stewart con-
corning Liberty bond dealings Of the
Continental Co. in relation 20 the Tea
not Dome case
After Stewart refused TO testify he
conferred with Mr.. Rockefeller In New
York. but the head of the Standard OIL
already had advised Senator Walsh that
Stewart told him nothing more than the
committee already knows.
Rockefeller went 10 the Capitol early
the committee met.
Change Quarters
The Investigators changed their quar-
terS FOR the Rockefeller hearing, and
by coincidence. selected the room where
the Teapot inquiry first began four
years ago and where Edward l. poheny
volunteered the information that he
loaned" Albert b, Fall $ioo. 900 III cash
during the negotiations for the lease
Of the Elk Hills, Calf. naval reserve.
The committee rocm MAS damned
with spectators. as Rockefeller was
called upon To throw light, II he could,
upon the famous deal whereby the
Continental Trading CO, eouSh, oil for
sl,eo barrel and sold 10 70 Amer
lean oil companies on the same Say
Tor si9s. and what disposition Was
made ~ the profits The witness Was
sworn by Chairman Nye. lie gave his
name III full and residence,
DO you or any " the associations
Win which YOU are connected own any
stock III the Standard OH az mSisnash
Senator Walsh asked him.
Il own aoa.sSo shares" was the reply.
The Rockefeller foundation has 400
100 shareS. and the University cf Chi
easo 10000, whiSe 100000 shares are
AS4N III ttWSt iiN MY tWN SiSteES~
Total Nearly Is Fer Cent.
Rockefeller said he personally owned
Az per cent vi the Standard Cl ot H.
diana; the foundation. ) per cent. and
the University III Chicago, IA O! I per
cent, The total holdings were given rs
islSs short G II per cent.
The New XgNk ltnancier said that X
he owned only 100 shares III oil $scck,
his interest III uncuyefn,g the national
scandal" would ee the same.
My sense et obligation ~ do every
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