Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-01-21
Press Lauds Rockefeller Fight,
But Realizes Stewart Strength

John D. Rockefeller, jr., has the
sympathy OF large section of public
opinion as reflected in newspaper COM
ment in his fight to GUST Col. Robert w.
Stewart as chairman of the board of
the Standard Oil Co. of Indiana as a
result of the Teapot Dome affair. The
battle for stockholders proxies is
watched with. profound interest, even
some of the observers who most COR
daily approve Mr.. Rockefeller's course
being inclined to doubt that he can
overthrow the resourceful colonel.
A summary of the situation as pub
lished by the Chicago Daily Tribune Is
typical of the comments that have been
made on the battle. The Tribune de-
clareS: "a good many observers suspect
that Mr.. Rockefeller is not going to
win. They conclude that he made a
mistake in starting fight in which his
chances were none too good. Perhaps
this is true, but in making the fight
Mr. Rockefeller has served notice on
all other men in all other companies
in which he is interested that a buSi-
ness executive is responsible for some
thing more than good balance sheet.
In addition, he has dramatiZed the
issue of business morality and has con-
centrated attention upon it. The con-
sequences of his campaign may be felt
long after the Standard Oil of Indiana
elects its new directors on March T."
'Our prediction Is that Stewart will
win and Rockefeller will lose, but the
reason for that is rather beyond U.S."
remarks the Morgantown New Domin-
ion. That paper refers to the perjury
trial of Col. Stewart, and continues:
1.-The jury acquitted him, and, it is
our prediction, the stockholders of the
Standard Oil Co. of Indiana will fur
Their vindicate him by keeping him at
the head of their board of directors.
Some peculiar kink in psychology will
probably explain why this is true, but
we can't quite put our finger on the
reason"
1.-THE dope in the pungent argot
of the sports world would make Stewart
the favorite," says the st. Louis Post
Dispatch. 1.-THE rugged colonel has
fought his way to the top through the
rough and tumble of life. There can
be little, if anything, in the strategy
or the tactics of the strife that he does
not know. This Spartan tutelage Mr..
Rockefeller has been denied. On
form, therefore. Stewart should win.
But down in Florida is mellow old
gentleman and enthusiastic golfer
whom the biographers may describe as
a Napoleon that met no Waterloo. And
II John D., jr.. should prove himself
chip of the old block Mr.. Stewart and
the dope are headed for an upset"
1.-THE colonel beat Rockefeller in the
effort to prevent reelection to- the board
year ago." remarks the Omaha
World Herald. Nevertheless. Rookie
Teller is out again to get his scalp with
some promise of being more successful
this time. Lovers of decency in business
will wish the Standard Oil king WELL"
The Dayton Daily News attests that lin
his efforts to separate Robert w.
Stewart from the craftsmanship of the
Standard Oil Co. of Indiana, Mr..
Rockefeller is obviously and eternally
right" The Springfield Republican sug-
geSts: When a year or more ago Mr..
Rockefeller failed to push to its logical
conclusion his criticism Of Col Stewards
connection with the Continental Trada
ing Co., he was censured as lacking In
courage as we'll as consistency. Now
that he is on the offensive again, let us
give him the credit he abundantly de-
serves"
1T is jpconceivable." protests the
Portland oregon Journal. that others |
in the company and in the industry will |
not jolnssW4Ah@ rockefeller in his SPLEEN
CO tinderta taxing. u - time for the