Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-11-19
MS FLASHES Of KINDLY HusoE
Testimony In Suit to Dissolve Great
Corporation Indicates That Defense
Will be That Standard Was Not
Perfected to Obtain Aggressive
Mastery Of Trade.

his story with the ar OF g country
gentleman. CT kindly mien engaging q
host of friends with inci'ic1;s OF DAYS
long past. John D. Rockefeller, pr 81
dent Of the Standard Oil Company.
though for nearly ten years retired
from the active cares OF the m
panys direction. for over TWO hours
TODAY reviewed the astCrv OF IN
e%rlv OF, trade AMI III" dc v"lapm"nt
Ct the first companies that later grew
iGto the prese mt so-callcd OIL trust.
Mr.. Rockefell was a witness for
the defense in the suit to dissolve the
Standard. which Is being prosecuted
by the United States government and
his appearance at the b ar:nss before
former Judge Franklin Ferris. the rei-
cree. brought a large crowd to the
customs building.
The head Of the big Oil combine
was surrounded BY az imposing circle
OF counsel.
Appeared At Ease.
Mr.. Rockefeller appeared at CON-
pleta ease. and when John G.. Mill
burn Ct, counsel for. the Standard pro-
pOuuuSu lib MT NNSSfous NAAS w.
ness spoke out in frll tones.
Mr.. Rockefeil told Of his start in
the OIL business. and how u.der aI-
verse conditions that business grew
to proportions of the C'anc'ri o.
Company Of Ohio, with its capitaiiza-
ton Of 81 100000.
Mr.. Rockefeller's eyes sparkleG In
reflection o. that early financial Or
ganization. ard sp aking of its MI
lion dollar capitalization with almost
boyist enthusiasm. he said:
1T seemed very large to us who
began with ouly $4,000 In 1862"
Flashes Of Kindly Humor.
Thus the proceedings lost In a
sense their oficial aspect becar e OF
the engaging manner which Mr.. Rock
efeiler displayed IT,; his answers. which
DOW and then contained flashes OF
kindly humOr. A glow Of health
showed in Mr. Rockefeller's moo h
shaver face. Mr.. Rockefeller was
dr. SEED in a plain business suit OF
dark material ard across his vest was
suspended a heavy gold watch chain.
A dark purple necktie in which
a pearl PIN was set, Struggled close
to a high collar.
The development of Mr.. Rockefe'
Ier's testimony today. which carried
him to the organization Of the Stand
ard Oil Company of Ohio indicated
that one Of the lines Of the defense
would he that The Standard Company
is not the result Of an aggressive pol
icy to obtain mastery o! the oil
trad, as charged. but rather the nat
rral outcome Of an economical devei
opment which the ex'gencics Of the
Of, industry demanded.
Talks to Reporters.
During a tricf recess Mr.. Rccke
fcli'r talked 20 the reporters On tht
Standards growth, saving:
"Wha. q wonderful thing IT I'll ta:
becn-tbc growth CT the business. II
ri! seems l;k" dream TO me-. and
here I am accused cf doing the very
wicked thing Of selling a coed article
at lower price TIA anyCn" 'ls".
Touched" His Friend.
This Testimony hero tc;ay brings
back 10 my mind 30 clearly ear
GAYS in Ct veIaud wh"r" we were al
friends and ncighhors tcEcthjr How
well 7 remember that day IN Cleveland
whe-' 7 went into the bank rf T. ~
HANDY. wEo. srerward became orc
NJ nv dearest fl 'nds aCa'Ci Ia
borrow money. but did rot have anv
ccilsteral NOT any one TO endorse nv
note. told him WHIT wsTed 70
do With II ard then H. asked No how
much I wanted. J Dey-! 5000 aid
.r-d I cot H. To that loan ] attribute
whz-sy SUCCESS I have had in life
since"
Tie taking OF Mr.. Rocscfci'sr's tes,
tiuony will he concluded tomorTov.
Started IN Small way.
The 6rss question put TO Mr.. Rock
cfcIler b. coun 7el brought out his
name and rr<idcnc'.
When was your Hrs, connection
In The oil busars."'
About 1860 or 1852. n. ''sr;i"I
than 1861 nor later Jfsp 1852:
"A ~onartrcrxhip WIS formed" said
Mr.. Rockefeller. known - Andrews
Clark & Cornuany. which opcrascd u
Cleveland. O."
Mr. Rock feilor saii thsf the rs.fin
b.. -.