Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-11-26
ARCHBOLD CALLED.

John y. Archboid. vice-president Of
tho Standard OIL company OF New Jcr-
sey, was then called to the stand
After telling OF his earlier experiences
in the oil industry, Mr. Arehbold said
the introduction Of refined oil for domes-
tic use was most difficult because of op-
position OF the public as result of Its
odor and burning qualities. From 1870 TO
1915 the multiplication Of renneries
brought about a surplus which caused
wide fluctuations OF prices OF oil. There
we're no systems OF reserve or storage
no added. Speculation in oil stocks was
rampant and even the price of oil was
speculated IN, which demoralized the
business and made It hazardous for the
manufacture. Tho manag cment OF gath
ering lines was very bad. sold Mr.. Arch
bold.
THE STANDARD RAILROADS.
Mr.. Archbold said he had nothing to do
with tho organization of the National
Transit company in 1851 when the witness
said he was connected with tho Standard.
The National Transit company was
organized by Standard interests to take
over existing lines, which Mr. Archbold
named. He gave statistical information
| OF tho total mileage of the Standard
| gathering and trunk lines which was in
| 1852, 1851 miles: in 1899, 1858. and In 1898
| E.616 miles. This increase. with the
exception Of ono purchase, was brought
about by construction by the Standard,
SAID Mr.. Archbod.
do I now underst and that the Stand
ard is pumping oil from the mid-contnent
| field to the seaboard?" asked Mr
Rosenthal, who conducted Mr.. Archhod's
examination.
| Yes"
The Standard. Mr Archbold said. pur.
chased its crude oil through the JOSEPH
seep agency. Mr.. Archbold said Mr.. Seer
had local agents throughout the OF
| territory who bought from the producer.
DOES NOT FIX PRICE OF OIL.
The witness said that the Standard OF
did not arbitrarily fix the price paid TO
crude oil. The law Of supply and demand
the qualities OF oil produced, both In this
country and throughout the world
together with the various amounts pro
duced daily. all were considered In hxinl
the price Of crude oil, said Mr.. Archbold.
Mr.. Archbold said the Standard fount
and was now finding competition abroad
This affected the price paid for crud
oil. It was the policy OF the company
he said, to take care OF all the crude OF
: produced. Crude oil was stored In tank
holding on an average 81, 600 barrels. MI
Archbold said that there was now store
In tanks 100000 barrels Of oil waitin
for use
"N-hy has that been stored?"
'Because the production has been ahea
OF the demand"
"And in spite Of that the Standard ha
kept on buying?"
yes"
"All this enters into the price paid 70
crude?"
YES. that Is So"
Mr.. Archbold said that in the earl
days it was a question Of n bargain be
tween the shipper and the railroad.
VERY UNJUST TALK.
This continued until the passage O
the Interstate commerce law" said MI
Archbold and this tremendous talk abou
our company being peculiar in Its relatio
toward the railroads was very unjust
indeed. The people who made the outer
have done It for Interior reasons"
Ibid you ever know what your mex
door neighbor did,"
IT did not except what I could find b
: careful inquiry; then tried to beat hin
When a manufacturer got rate from
railroad the manufacturer made that
basis Of cost which resulted IN a benef
to the consumer. That was the generi
rule worked under"
Adjournment was taken until 4
morrow.