The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1908-11-19
JOHN D. TELLS OF
MERGING SMALL
CONCERNS


| follow Wuen MI. MlIDuEu 10 tuIoukh
fondlipg him and smoothing out his
rath.
The courtroom was crowded when
Mr.. Rockefeller sQuirmed his way from
the corridor and took the seat he had
yesterday occupied with his back
/ against the wall and his hands out
stretched on a table.
| He talked in the same convincing
way Occasionally he hesitated for
an instant as though searching men,
DRY for dates or other facts.
Although his voice was high and at
times quivering, like that OF an old
man, his every sentence could be un-
derstood, and there was that constant
smile.
The hearing was transferred today
from the small room In which II has
been held heretofore. to the room OF
the United States civil service COM
mis- sion, on the same floor OF the build.
ing. This room Is three times as
large as the former, and had individ-
ual desks for the accommodation Of
lawyers, stenographers and newspaper
men. The general public was not ad.
mitted.
Mr.. Rockefeller walked from the
Standard OIL building at No. rs Broad
way to the custom house, across
Bowling Green The room was filed
with newspaper men when he entered.
He looked the room over and said,
This Is a better place than we had
yesterday"
| Mr.. Rockefeller wore somewhat
long cutaway coat and he carefully
parted his coat tails when he took his
sat on the raised dais. and looked at.
tentively at his lawyers.
Mr. Rockefeller was questioned by
Mr.. Milburn, his counsel. as follows:
Q-What was the business OF the
DeNaux Refining Company?
A-The Devaux concern was EN-
gagged in the putting Of the oil into
cans for the canning trade, q very de-
sirable trade In Europe. They had u
very good reputation In Europe, and
obtained very remunerative prices for
their well-established brand of OIL
Q-Then they were buyers Of re-
fined oil. putting II up for export?
NA--Not necessarily buyers. They
may have had arrangements with re.
liners TO use their refneries for the
protection OF their supply Of These
brands of oil. as we'll as purchasers.
Odd al oil go abroad In barrels
or cans?
Al think so. We called 1t the
ease order" trade.
Q-Were these cans a specially with
the Devaux concern?
| Ayes. They had certain brands
for which they had built up a great
reputation in the for east.
Q--And you had negotiations with
them?
Ayes. we did, and We purchased
an interest In the concern. Later on
we purchased the balance.
Q-Do you recall what was the in
terest you purchased In the beginning
Al should say ons-half.
Q-And the object OF that was
what?
A-To extend our business
Q-Had you at this time any refin'
cry facilities at the seaport!
Al should say that was the begin
ming Of the acquisition OF refinery
facilities at the seaport.
DIN the year 's3 was Long Island
refining point?
Ayes. sir.
Q-Do you remember concern
known as the Long Island Refining
Company?
Al do.
| O-Was IL a refinery with dock IA
cilities?
Ayes, 1t was a dock property and
"a refinery. We purchased ooth OF
them.
Q-For what purpose did you make
that purchase?
Ave purchased the dock property
and the warehouse property to be
used for the general warehouse busi-
ness and for handling refined oil.
which we shipped to Europe.
O-Why was the association or re-
finers formed!
| Ats object was to secure as high
price for crude oil as possible.
O-You have said that the Produ-
GERS association practically included
all the men engaged in the production
OF OIL
Att was large percentage.
Q-The same Is true as to the Ret
fners association?
Ayes.
OIL notice that one OF the features
OF the agreement was the fixing Of the
price OF oil at IS q barrel Of AZ gallons
each. Do you recall that!
Ayes. l do.
The recollection of this seemed to
affect the witness pleasantly and he
beamed upon Mr.. Milburn.
Q-What became Of that?
| Al cannot say how long It was
operative. but the result was az Il
always had been before and always
will be, as long as oil runs out OF the
ground. II resulted In an overproduc-
fisp.
Q-was It the underlying intention
OF this agreement to have some relp-
ton between the product and the mar
ket?
A-There was limitation beyond
which we merchants could not go.
Q-Do you recall the Arm Of Chen.
Carney q Co.?
Al do.
Q-what was 1t and where was II
located?
AIT Louisville, Ky.
Q-What. was Its business?
Alt had a refinery and large do
nestle trade.
Odd negotiations arise between.
you and them In 1873?
A-Negotiations were conducted In
1873 and a purchase contaminated.
Q-What was your object In making
that purchase?
A-To secure an additional outlet