The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1908-11-26

I
Standard oil company, for nearly 10
years retired from the active cares of
the company's direction, for over two
hours today reviewed the history of
the early oil trade and the develop
ment Of the company that later grew
| into the present so-called trust
| Mr.. Rockefeller was witness for
the defense In a suit TO dissolve the
Standard Oil company which is heing
prosecuted by the United States gov
ernment, and his appearance at the
hearing before Judge Franklin Ferris,
the referee, brought 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 his
testimony he gaZed complacently
upon a swarm Of newspaper men, be-
hind whom pressed throng OF people
who filled the room.
Mr.. Rockefeller appeared at perfect
ease, and when John G. Milburn OF
counsel for the Standard Oil company
propounded his first question the wit
ness spoke out in full tones as if he
desired the most distant spectator in
: the room to hear. Then in a manner
} that indicted pleasure Of which he
was about TO TELL Mr.. Rockefeller
spoke OF his start In the oil business
: and how, under adverse conditions,
5 that business grew to proportions Of
a the Standard Oil company of Ohio
g with its capitalization Of 81 900, 600
Y Mr.. Rockefeller eyes sparkled in
/ rejection of that early financial or
e ganization, and, speaking OF Its mil
/ lion dollar capital with almost ooyish
S enthusiasm, he said.
e sit seemed very large to us, who
# began with only 1900 10 1862.
d Thus the proceedings lost in sense
d their official aspect because OF the en-
,e gaging manner which Mr.. Rockefeller
d displayed in his answers, which nov
,. and then contained flashes of kind!
IL humor. A glow of health showed oI
!. Mr.. Rockefeller smoothshaven fac
IS and to inquiring newspaper men b
le replied that he had never felt better
The president OF the Standard wa
in dressed In plain business suit {
e. dark material and across his vest wa
,e suspended heavy gold watch chair
Sc A dark purple necktie, in which
e, large pearl pin was set, snuggle
ce close to high collar.
The development OF Mr.. Rockefe
III lers testimony, which carried him
'e- the organization of the Standard q
K company of Ohio, indicated that OF
be of the lines Of defense would be thj
the STANDARD Oil company is not Il
MT result Of an aggressive policy to ga
u. mastery OF the oil trade, as charge
ay but the natural outcome of an &c
mt nomical development which the ez
IT. gencies OF the oil industry deman
on ed.
De, During a brief recess this afterno,
be Mr.. Rockefeller talked to the 7
te- porters on the Standards gTowt
OF saving:
er, "What a wonderful thing it all b
vas heen the growth OF this business.
.he all seems like a dream to me, a
here l am accused OF doing the We
wicked thing OF selling a good arti'
at a lower price than anyone else.
| This testimony here today brir
-. back TO my mind so clearly ca
90 30. DAYS in Cleveland, where we we're
10 friends and neighbors togeth
How we'll remember that day
Cleveland when went TO the ba
of t. p. Handy, who afteIwar Is
'io came one of my dearest friends.
wanted to borrow money, but |
not have any collateral nor anyC
o' 10 endorse my note. told him wl
~ | wanted to 90 with it, and then
i"' asked me how much l wanted.
my need 81, 600, l said, and l got it.
that loan ! attribute whatever 5
'iue cess | lave had in life since.
pVel The taking Of Mr.. Rockefeller's
"ei timony will be continued tomorro
- Ex-Judge Franklin Ferriss, mas
Sin " of the proceedings, bad ordered I
y " no spectators be permitted to er
o the chamber, and policemen pos
at The door turned down the thr
~ us that beseiged the room where
| 'n testimony was being taken.
'a'' Mr.. Rockefeller bad left the on
OF the Standard Oil company sho
! . before ? p. ID. He vas accompaT
" 'ne to the customs house, where
'pe'' bearing is being held, by John
Milburn and Moritz ROsentha
so' counsel for the Standard oil COM
- - on his way Mr.. Rockefeller
photographed by several ne"sp
salt photographers. lie made no oil
sglV- tion.
:. Mr.. Rockefeller had scarcely eI