New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-11-19
ROCKEFELLER TELLS
STORY OF STANDARD
FOUNDATION OF SUCCESS
VAS So, 900 LOAN.
On Stand in Government Suit Says
Company Did Not Organic the
South I'm proUement Company

ard OIL Company. spent yesterday afternooh On
the witness stand before Franklin Ferris. tne
referee in the government suit to dissolve the
corporation for alleged violation OF the Sherman
antitrust Law Before adjournment for the day
Mr. Rockefeller had denied with great emphasis
that either he his brother william or Henry
NJ. FIagler had had anything to do with the or
ganization of the South Improvement Company.
that he or they had at any time held a con
trolling interest in II Or that they in any way
believed in il He said with great earnestness.
leaning far forward. facing his counsel, John @
Mi1burn:
I'VE did not think that It vas a desiraole
scheme: il never went into operation There
never was any business done under the South
Improvement Company's name. believe there
never was any money paid in and no ssoek
issued. That was result we had expected
We did not think il could be worked out. but ws
did not wish 20 break with the powerful Mr.
Scott
The South Improvement Company was 70
favor oil interests in freight rates and when
Mr. Milburn asked whether Mr.. Rockefeller or
his associates had negotiated the contract with
the railways OF had anything to do with II. the
witness said firmly:
absolutely not The men back Of II were all
refiners but I shared the views OF Mr. Flagler
that Ii was a plan should not approve o.
Thomas A Scott then potent factor in the
PENNSYLVANIA road. not to be disregarded,
however We did not wish 10 break with Mr.
Scott We lacked confidence in this division Of
railway rates OF the country
NO COERCIvE MEASURES UsEP-
When asked about the purchase Of competing
refneries whether any cOercive measures were
used he said with an impatient gesture with
the right hand
None whatever; none whatever The neso-
~
ways made"
Mr.. Rockefeller began TO tell the story OF the
corporation Of which he is the head at O'Clock
in the Custom House The little room on the
fifth floor was crowded. Men stood back Of the
reporters tables six deep staring intenCIy al
the Standard Oil president Three policemen
were stationed so that they could control the
spectators. Mr.. Rockefeller sat the south end
Of small table. back OF which Mr.. FeFrls was
seated An open window near By gave Ventha-
ton. and il was necessary AT another table
at angles with the first was the counsel Mr.
Mtiburn asked the questions for the defence.
prornpted By Moritz RosenthaI. who has been ac-
tive In the case almost since its beginning near
" two years ago in ST Louis
The prosecution has rested its case, but Frank
p Kellogg federal attorney. is all ready 70 take
the witness as soon the defence Is through
with him. The defence has until December TO
get all its evidence in
Every conceivable part OF the great business
has been explained again and again by witnesses
for the government and for the defence N re-
buttaI Mr. Rockefeller was called 50 tnat nls
story may be put on the records before the eA-
piration of the time He will be followed Dy
William Rockefeller. John D. Archoold and
James A Moffett; but there are other minor
witnesses still 10 be called. whose evidence
however. can be dispensed with with less Danger
than that Of the managing officers
GOES TO No 26 BROADWAY FIRST.
Mr.. Rockefeller began his day with call on
his physician DR.. Henri DIoeIler. % No S+l " esr
9th street He got there at 10 O'Clock rerlalned
about fifteen minutes. and then was hurried
down To No IS Broadway in his automobile
There the finishing touches were given TO rec
ord Of the company. a record which he frs-
ouentIv consulted at the hearing He had
luncheon in his office and with Mr. Miiburn and
Mr. RosenthaI started for the Custom House az
1:45 O'Clock. stopping long enough at the en-
trance TO permit score OF photographers 70
snap their cameras at him II was 1;52 o'clock
-, h. entered the little room on the fifth floor
A less ostentatious setting for great hearing
co,,Id not well be ina gined- Mr. Rockefeller
was not at all nervous as he entered the roOn-
Mr. NiIburn and Mr.. ROsenthal bringing up the
rear The Standard OH president waited for
directions where to go, and walked around tbs
counsels' table and was rubbing elbows Wita
MI Kellogg before he knew OF the proximity %
the federal counsel. They were introduced ana
q smiling conversation was held The .stenog-
rainier was moved to the side Of Mr.. Ferriss. ana
Mr. Rockefeller sat at the end OF the table.
Before the taking OF testimony was begun Mr..
Ferris called attention 70 the restricted space.
and cautioned all present not 20 move chairs OF
make any other noise All the windows vsrs
onened. and the veutiIators leading into the hai1
we're tilted. But so rank did the atmosphers
become that a recess OF i've minutes was necss-
saEv at. O'Clock. and the room was partly
cleared
T. vas IN the recess that Mr. ROckefeller told
group Of reporters OF his start in business. In
1855 he went 10 a banker. explained his knowi-
edge Of refining and his business experience and
methods He wanted 81 900 He had no coli
lateral The banker let him have the money
To that loan Mr. Rockefeller lays ali his great
success IN life
To-day the hearing VIII be held in a larye
room, in the eastern part OF the building. on ths
same floor II just o'clock when Mr-
Rock4fsler was sworn in by SIr Ferris. and ths
story of the great corporation was begun
ENTERED OIL BUSINESS ABOUT 1860
His legal residence Mr. ROckefeIler gave as No.
4 west 54th street. His first connection with
the oil business was in 1850 or 1S62-nOt earlier
,ban 1850 nor later than 1Ses2 he careful
70 sa.. There was laughter when, IN answer to
Mr.. MIIburns question: You we're quite =
vo,,nS man AT that tirne7" Mr. Rockefeller, With
a naive expression. said
somewhat younger than am to-day
The witness answered all questions readily
frequently adding the necessary answer and
never at loss for an answer. He told Of ths