The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-11-19
Tells History Of the
 Standard Oil
RICHEST MAN ON THE, STAND
Early Struggle Of Company Are
 Accounted.
masaats Relates How He Aaa As- soeiasss saw oppertuaities aa Reflnlns Bdsssvsu Ana seir-
 ed Upon Them.

New York. Nov lS--ReiatinE ms story with the air of g country gentle man, of kindly mien, engaging a host Of friends with Incidents of days long past John D. Rockefeller. President of the Standard oil Company, though for nearly ten years retired from the ac- tive cares of the company's direction, for over two hours today reviewed the history of the early oil trade and the development of the first companies that later grew into the present sorcailed. oil trust.
 MT. Rockefeller 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 hearing before Judge Franklin Ferris. the referee brought a large crowd to the customs building.
 The head of the big oil combine was surrounded by an imposing circle of counsel and when he began hiA testi- nlcny, he sazed complacentiy upon a swarm Of newspaper men behind whom pressed close throng of people that diled the room.
 Mir. Rockefeller appeared at com plete ease and when John c. 1Iiiburn, or counsel for the Standard Oil Com pany propounded his first question. the witness spoke out in full tones as if he desired the most distant spectator in the chamber to hear. Then, in a manner that indicated a pleasure at what he was about to tell Mfr. Rocke- Teller spoke of his start in the oil bus mess and how. under adverse condi- tions that business grew to the pro- portions of the Standard oil Company of Ohio with its capitalization of sl,-' 0.00o
 sfnndarHs Humble neHlnning.
 MT Rock efeIler's eyes sparl<led in reffection on that early financial or ganization and speaking of it's million dollar capitalization with almost boy isf enthusiasm, he said:
 Ut seemed very large to US, who be- gan with only $4.000 in 1882"
 Thus the proceedings lost In sense their official aspect because of the en- gazing manner which Mir. RcckefelieF displayed in his answers which hpw and then contained flashes of kindly humor.
 A glow of health Showed ina. sfr. Roekefeiler's sTnoothsshaven face, and 10 inquiring newspaper men he replied that he never felt better -ss'.
 The President of the Standard was dressed in plain business suit of dark material and across his vest was sus@ pended a heavy gold watch chain. A dark purple, necktie, in which a large pearl pin was set, snuggled close to 8. high collar.
 The development of Mr. Rockefel. A lef's testimony today which carried hiHa to the organization of the Standard oil Company of Ohio indicated that one Of the lines of the defense would be that, the Standard oil Company Is not the result of an aggressiye policy to gain the mastery of the oil trade, as charged. but the natural outcome of economical development which the ex- tgencies of the oil Industry demanded.
 Borrowed s2s000 as a Starter.
 During a brfef recess this afternoon ! Mis Rockefeller talked to the reporters of the Standards growth saving
 'sWllat a wonderful thing 1t has been 1.-the growth of this business. 1t all seems like dream to me and here I. am accused of doing the very wicked thing of selling 6 good article at 8 lower price than any one else.
 This testimony here today brings back to my mind so clearly early days in Cleveland, where we were all friends and neighbors. How well I re- member that day in Cleveland. when went into the bank of T. P. Handy. who afterwards became one Nof any dearest friends. wanted to borrow money but did not have any coffat- erai nor any one to endorse my note. told him what wanted to do with. 1t and then he asked me how much I
 | 9An got 1t. To that loan attribute what ever success have had. in life since"
 The taking of Mir. Rockefeller's tes- tlmony will be continued tomorrow.
 Spectators Exeludad.
 Forlner Judge Franklin Ferris. nlasA ter or the proceedings. had ordered that no spectators be permitted to enter the chamber and policemen posted at the doors turned Back an insistent throng that besefged the room where the testimony was being taken.
 Mfr. Rockefeller had scarcely snter. ed when his counsel motiohed him to take the witness chair, The president of the Standard Oil gave his testirffony in clear. resonant voice which could be heard all over the court room.
 MT Rockefeller what is your full name?" asked MT. Milburn.
 John D. Rockefeller.r
 Where do you live?t
 sNy legal residence is this city at No. West 54th Street"
 When was your first copnecttOn with the oil business2'
 A.Abott 1880 or 1sss. not earlier than 1s60 nor later than 1869. was quite, young man. much younger than !
 In Ieply ito the questions as'to who were associated with him in the oil busfn&gs in the beginning, he gave the names of MarFis, James and Richar9 Clark and Samuel Andrews.
 "A cotpartnership was formed" said Mir. Rockefeller. Known as Andrews. Clerk and Company, which operated at Cleveland. ohio."
 Mir RockeAfeIler said that the refin-~ cry was a snaan one. and his eo-part- nership with Andrews, Clark and Company continsued until 1865 when 1t dissolved
 T bought th9e business and the property and oerganized the firm of Rockefeller and Andrews," he said.
 Did you continue in the refinery fhen?"
 "Yes" 1Dtd your busirRess fncreasef
 Yes" said Mir 9Rockefelters v ln- efeased steadily"
 What .deyelopnieAntS or change in the company took 3 lace laterY
 'sWell in 1sS6 th hssre was a change.