The herald., 1895-11-19
RELIGION AND OIL CANS

The announcement that John D. Rock
efeier is to be delegate to the national
convention OF Baptist churches will e.
call to mind an incident -ecently alluded
10 in The Herald TO tne effect that tn e
mul .i-mllonalre Standard Oil autocrat
had donated 500 to one church OF I e
Baptist de omination, and had i'm medi-
ately followed up that donation with an
advance in the price OF oil, which hit
every consumer IN the land a stunning
blow. The fact that Mr.. Rockefeller is q
sn1nin, light in a large aud powerful
Christian church may seem very encour-
aging from a religious standpoint; and
were his inclination to be- that body
COM ensurats with the len 9Th of his
purse, he would doubtless lift the organ
izat.on up to the highest point OF dnan-
cial independence. As il is. he seems dis
posed to somewhat assist the church in
which ne holds an insurance policy
against future conflagration, as evidenced
by his recent donation, and also BY his
acceptance of the duties of delegate to
the great gatherin. soon to be held.
1t is an old saying that oil and water
cannot be mixed together. Mr.. Rookie
felisr, however, has discovered that oil
and religion can be 90 intermingled as to
greatly smooth the pathway OF life for
man who has vast interests TO care for
ana weighty business responsibilities on
his mind. OF course he will De forcefnl
and picturesque factor in the convsn-
ton. His voice will be heard and bis in
huence telt in that body on all i'm aortant
questions that may come up for consider
alton. And should there be inharmony
and fierce contentious in the bly,, as
sometimes happens even in religious gath
erings, he will be the man o t all others
to pour oil on the troubled waters.
Whether his return home from the church
gathering will be supplemented oy an
order for another raise in the price of oil
remains to be seen.
In this connection, it is not out of placs
to cume down to q statement of plain
cold TACT concerning the Standard Oil
company's business methodist fact
which is probably known to very few con-
sumers of oil. An oil can, or any other
can, that will hold five honest gallons
contains one thousand one hundred and
fifty-fve cubic inches. The five gallon"
oil can. however, in which the Standard
Oil company's product is retailed con.
tains only one thousand and ninety
three and hall cubic inches. And so
every Five gallon" can of the Sta nd ard
make is short in measurement just
sixly-one and a half cubic inches. In
view of the fact that many millions of
gallons OF oil marketed by that com nauy
are sold every day, in cans Of the COM
pany's own make. it is easy to see what
this short measurement sNi indie means 10
the great corporation on the one hand
and the vast army of consumers on the
other.
We respectfully suggest that on his re.
turn from the religious convention, i'm
bued as Mr.. Rookie ,eler will be with
spirit Of justice and genuine Christianity,
it will be ominently appropriate for him
TO order reconstruction OF his oil ga n 5
on Christian principles, so that hence
forth purchasers of his goods will not
be swindled every time they pay for a
package OF this olea nous necessity. We
make no charge for The hint and if the
STANDARD Oil king decl'n mes to act upon it,
the sin will lie at his own door. The
Herald proposes to do its duty toward
him and all other great monopolists, no
matter whether they heed or spurn its
advice.