The Topeka state journal., 1908-11-18
Head of Standard Oil Company
en- Witness Stand.
SubpOenaed by Government in
Suit Against the Concern.
BEGINS AT THE FIRST
And Tells Story Of the Growth
Of the Octopus.
1t Showed Signs of Vigor Even
in Its Infancy.

New York, Nov. 18.-John D. Rookie
| feller, president of the Standard Oil
company made his appearance as a
| witness for the defense in the federal
| suit to dissolve the so-called oil trust to-
day. Ex-Judge Franklin Forriss, mas
ter of the proceedings, had ordered
that no spectators be permitted to en-
ter the chamber and policemen posted
at the door turned back an insistent
throng that besieged the room where
the testimony was being taken.
Mr.. Rockefeller had left the offices
| of the Standard Oil company shortly
before .. m. He was accompanied to
the custom house, where the hearing
is being held, by John G. Milburn and
NORTH Rosenthal, of counsel for the
Standard Oil company. On his way
Mr.. Rockefeller was photographed by
several newspaper photographers. He
made no objection.
Mr.. Rockefeller had scarcely entered
the court room when his counsel mo-
toned him to take the witness chair.
The president of the Standard Oil COM
pany gave his testimony in a rea-
resonant voice, which could be heard
all over the room.
Mr.. Rockefeller. what is your full
name?" asked Mr.. Miller.
John D. Rockefeller
Where do you live?"
my legal residence is in this city, at
West Fifty-fourth street"
when was your first connection in
the oil business?"
about 1860 or 1862, not earlier than
1860, nor later than 1852. I was quite
young man, much younger than 1 am
now"
In reply to the question as to who
were associated with him in the oil
business in the beginning he gave the
names of Morris James and Richard
Clark and Samuel Andrews.
90 tT1A hi 60
Mr.. Rockefeller, known as Andrews,
Clark & Co., which operated at Cleve-
land, O."
Mr.. Rockefeller said that the re-
partnership with Andrews, Clark &.
Co., continued until 1865, when it was
dissolved. 81 bought the business
and the property and I organized the
firm of Rockefeller & Andrews" he
said.
did you continue in the refinery
business ?"
Yes
did your business lncrease? ?"
Business Grew.
Eyes, said Mr.. Rockefeller. 1T
increased steadily"
What developments or change in
the company took place 1ater?"
''Well. in 1866 there was a change.
The firm was Rockefeller & Co. The
brother and the company was
Rockefeller & Andrews"
Mr.. Rockefeller said the refinery of
this company was in Cleveland and
that afterwards another company un-
der the name of William Rookie
feller & Co, was organized in New
York. The same firm members that
composed the Cleveland company
made up the New York company.
Asked what had been the course of
the oil business up to the time of the |
organization of the Standard Oil COM |
pany of Ohio, Mr.. Rockefeller re-
piled:
1--WE had a steady growth and in
crease from the organization of the
first firm in 1860 or 1852 until that
time"
Mr.. Rockefeller said that every |
member of the firm devoted his en-
tire time and attention to promoting |
the companys growth and that none
of them had any other business.
Mr.. Rockefeller said the company
did a refining and warehouse busi-
ness and that his brother, William
took up his residence in
New York to develop the business
here and to save expenses.
when did the next change take
p1ace?'
I'm 1867 all the properties of
& Andrews. William
& Co., and Rockefeller &
Co., were taken over under the firm
name of Rockefeller, Andrews &
Flagler."