The Montgomery tribune. (Montgomery City, Mo.) 1892-1910, 1907-08-23
MAN OF SILENCE GIVES MAIDEN
INTERVIEW ON SUBJECT
NEAREST HIS HEART.
DECLARES he NEVER CRUSHED
Has All the Money He Desires and Is
acknowledgements Prefer
ence for Presidential
Candidate,

p Cleveland, Ohio-The man Of ST.
lence, the man whose lips have been
closed tighter than a miser closes the
strings to mis- purse, the man who has
more we nth than any other man in
the world-John d. Rockefeller-has
at last spoken. He has told how the
Standard Oil company was organized,
why 1t was organized, and what the
effect will be IL the administration"
which means President Roosevelt,
does not at once effectually hedge"
and 'let well enough alone"
1t was at his country home, in the
suburbs of Cleveland, that Rockefel-
Ter consented to be interviewed for the
first time in his business career. For
many decades-over half a century,
he has kept his W counsel, and
while the world at large was wagging
its head and looking wise he has gone
his way, piling up his millions, until
today he has reached that position
when he rays that money is farthest
from his thoughts, and that all he de-
sires is to be let alone, that he may
eiC III pCcSS diu pS SotltlCd DdCh W
mother earth-dust to dust.
Was Playing Colt.
Mr.. Rockefeller had just finished
playing a game of golf when impor-
tuned to talk. At first he wrinkled
his brow and then pondered. To him.
self he probably said: # had Just as
well tell him why, and when, and
how" and he did. He probably felt
a little off color" over the fine of
500 ,240,00D that a Chicago judge had
the audacity to impose on his cont.
pany, on a charge of violating the
law as regards secret rebates, received
from a railroad company which car.
ried his products at one rate and
charged the public another. Through
out his talk for publication Mr.. Rookie
teller referred to the "administra.
ton" repeatedly but at no time did he
use the name of Roosevelt"
What, in your opinion, will be the
effect on the country of the present
policy Of the president toward great
business combinations 2" Mr.. Rockefel.
Ter was asked.
Predicts Financial Depression.
"The policy Of the present admins.
tration," MIR. Rockefeller said earnest.
ly and deliberately, toward great bust.
ness combinations Of all kinds can
have only result. It means dis.
ester to the country, financial depres.
zion and financial chaos.
"The world already has a fair dose
of this since the extreme penalty i'm
posed on one corporation, with a lin
tied number of shareholders. has
caused a loss of confidence, reflected
in a falling stock market, a tighten.
ing of money and a fear of the future.
What will be the effect when SINH
lar action is taken against corpora
tions with myriads of stockholders
| scattered throughout the country, the
investors, :he widows and orphans?
Shoals Are In Sight.
"Already the country has begun Il
drift toward financial depression. The
shoals are in sight. What did II
Nothing but the attitude Of the admin
~istration toward capital. Without
confidence progress is gone. Lack o.
confidence stops the wheels Of prog
ress. Confidence Is gone today.
81 judge from many ways that con
fidence Is gone, and the administra
ton is to blame. Here is N of the
many: Requests are coming to me to
day for money from quarters 1t was
least expected would be asking fol-
money some time ago. Today l was
offered the unprecedented interest o.
7 per cent for 81, 900, 900 or $4,000, 00t
or SO, 900, 900. That would be impos
sible in this country If there was con
fidence enough to unlock the money
vaults of The country.
Railroads Are Cramped.
1.-THE railroads of this country ar
unable to borrow money for any length
of time. Formerly they could borrow
all they wanted for years at a time
Lack of confidence brought this about
and they are willing to take anything
they can get now, for short terms, a
high rates of interest.
Il judge conditions by these things
I have had some experience, and
believe I know.
1.-THE public talks Of the STANDARD
Oil company being a browbeatine
crushing organization. 1t is false. I
is absurd. The company was organ
lied soon alter the war. M. B. CLAIR
was my partner. We saw the Oh busi
ness going from bad to worse and me-