The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1908-11-21

ment Of the first companies that later
grew into the present soCalled oil
trust. Mr. Rockefeller was witness
for the defense in the suit to dissolve
the Standard which Is being prosecut-
I'd by the United States government.
and his appearance at the hearings
before former 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 his testi-
mony he gazed complacently upon
swarm of newspaper men, behind
whom pressed close a throng of people
that filled the room. Mr.. Rockefeller
appeared at complete ease, and when
John G.. Milburn. OF counsel for the
Standard, propoUnded his first ques-
ton the witness spoke out in full tones
as II he desired the most distant spec
tator in the chamber to hear Then
in a manner that indicted a pleasure
at what he was about TO tell. Mr..
Rockefeller spoke of his start in the
oil business and how under adverse
conditions that business grew to the
proportions of the Standard Oil Com
pany of Ohio, with its capitalization
of s1.000.000. Mr. ROckefeller's eyes
sparkled in reflection on that early
financial organization. and speaking Of
It's million dollar capitalization with
almost boyish enthusiasm, he said: 1T
seemed very large to us, who began
with only $1,000 in 1862
Mr.. Rockefeller said that TO cope
With changing conditions It was neces-
sary to obtain capital and purchase
the Cleveland companies which, the
witness said, enabled the Standard to
borrow large sumo of money by having
associated with II many Of its recog-
nized frlends. Eve realized" said Mr..
Rockefeller, that the larger company
decreased the cost Of production and
increased the volume OF business. The
companies we're purchased part in cash
and part In stock Of the Standard
company"
did you use any coercive measures
to secure these companies?"
"None whatever" said Mr.. Rocke-
feller. They were all fair negotia-
tions. / may say for myself that they
were the kind of negotiations | have
always used. I have used no other"
Thus the proceedings lost In sense
their official aspect because OF the en-
gaging manner which Mr.. Rockefeller
displayed in his answers which now
and then contained flashes Of humor.
A glow of health showed in Mr.. Rocke-
feller's smooth-shayen face, and to in
tuiring newspaper men he replied that
he never felt better
The development Of Mr. Rockefel-
Ier's testimony, which carried him to
the organization OF the Standard Oil
Company of Ohio, indicated. that one
of the lines Of the defense will be that
the Standard company is not the re-
suit of an aggressive policy to obtain
mastery of the oil trade, as charged,
but rather the natural outcome of All
economical development which the ex-
igencies OF the oil industry demanded.
During g brief recess Mr.. Rockefel-
Ter talked to the reporters on the
Standards growth, saying:
What wonderful thing 1t all has
been-the growth of the business. It
all seems Ike dream to me, and here
am accused Of doing the very wicked
thing Of selling good article at
lower price than any one else.
This testimony brings back to my
mind so clearly early days in Cleye
land. where we were all friends en-