Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1905-07-13

Rockefeller himself was indicted Iof
more serious crime than horse steal
ing. but evaded trial.
John d., born in 1889, was the sec
ond child and Oldest son, his brothers,
William and Frank, being consider
ably his Juniors. John was a very
quiet and reserved youth, but indus
trious and attentive to his tasks. lie
received only limited education, and
was early thrown on his own re-
sources. taking employment as a clerk
in Cleveland. Here he showed the
personal qualities that have ever since
marked his career-application to
duty, economy and shrewdness in the
handling OF his small income and a
profession of piety and scrupulous at
tendance upon church.
After a few years of this employ
ment, having saved considerable mon
ey, he embarked in the produce COM
mission business with a partner, which
proved quite profitable His chief joy
and delight was the driving Of sharp
bargain, and nothing else caused a re-
Taxation of his grave, severe DISPOSE
ton.
Ii was about 1860 that Rockefeller
first became interested in the oil REIN
ing business at Cleveland. He soon
found large opportunities for conduct
ing it probably. The business at that
time was carried on by many different
concerns in state OF healthful COM
petition. II was not long before
Rockefeller. not satisfied with this
condition, sought to put his rivals out
OF the race and center il all in his own
hands. This he finally brought about
by carrying out his plan of securing
from the railroads, who were supposed
TO treat all patrons alike, special con-
cessions not allowed to his COMPETE
tors. For instance, they were per-
suaded, or forced, by threat of with
drawal of his patronage, into allowing
him rebate on all the oil he shipped
over their lines, and in addition his
rivals were compelled to pay an extra
rate, which went not to the railroads
but to Rockefeller, and he had the
chance TO inspect the freight records
TO learn who his rivals customers
were. Under such pressure as this
arrangement provided for him. Rookie
Teller soon acquired ownership of
nearly every refinery in Cleveland, at
about his own price. Thus was the
Standard Oil company built upon the
graves of numerous luckless indepen-
dent concerns, and all prospect OF
ended.
II is probably true that in following
this course Rockefeller violated no
statute then in force. Federal legisla-
ton on the subject came later When
il came the Standard was too firmly
to be harmed by possible
But Miss Tarbell points
out that Rockefeller pursued a mean
and unfair method that i'll contrasted
with the teachings of the religion that
he so ardently protested. She recites
many incidents of his business career
showing his Unsuitable greed for
money, his inscriptions policy
toward those who stood in his way,
his purpose to absorb everything OF
value unto himself, his untruthfulness
and wllful perversion as occasion
arose, and, most disgusting of all his
professions OF piety and frequent do
nations for worthy causes. She de-
seribes how Rockefeller did friend
out of fortune in Standard Oil certi-
fcates, taking advantage OF his neces-
stiles. She tells of the hush policy
that pervades the Standard Oil COM
pany, by Rockefeller's command, lest
the public know more OF its doings
than might be best.
1t is a revolving picture that Miss
Tarbell holds up of this man accounted
great by a money! wing world. To |
be so regarded must be a poor offset
indeed for all tie riches he possesses. |
Nobody can for a moment believe
hat John ID. Rockefeller came by his |
wealth honestly and fairly, or that he |
Is really any better than a thief OF |
robber. To count him as a Christian
bellies the name. TO accept gratuities
T ON him may well canse controversy,
when the object On his part is to
himself in the role of
follower OF Christ and a benefactor of
Concerning Roekefeller's impelling
motive in life, Miss Tarbell SAYS
ssIVhv docs ha do n D W.. a. 4 |