Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1908-11-19

DECLARES ALL OF HIS
NEGOTIATIONS WERE FAIR
Was About to Tell Story Of
Producers Union When His
Counsel Secured Adjourn
ment For the Day.

IBy Morning Journal Special Leased Wire
New York, Nov. is. Itelating hi'
story with the air Of country gentle
man of kindly micn engaging hos
Of friends with incidents of days Ions
past, John D. Rockefeller. presiden
Of the StaRdard OH company. though
Tor nearly ten years retired from The
active cares of company direction, foI
over TWO hours today reviewed tn,
history of the early oil trade and the
development of the company that LAT
or grew into the present so-called oi
trust Mr.. Rockefeller was witnes,
for the defense in a suit to dissolve the
Standard which is being prosecuted by
the United States government. and his
appearance at the hearing before
Judge Franklin Ferrss. 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 testi-
nony he gazed complaccntly upon a
swarm of newspaper men, behind
whom pressed close throng of peo-
pie that filled the room Mr. Rookie
feller appeared at complete ease and
when John G. Milburn, of counsel for
the standard oil company propound-
ed his first question. the witness spoke
out in fun tones as If he desired the
most distant spectator in the cham
Der to hear
Then, in a manner that indicated a
pleasure in what he was about to tell.
Mr.. Rockefeller spoke of his start in
the oil business and how under ad-
verse conditions that business grew to
proportions Of the Standard oil com
pany of Ohio, with its capitalization Of
Sl 1000, 900. Mr. Rockcfelers eyes
sparkled in reflection on that early
financial organization ana speaking of
lis million dollar capitalization with
almost boyish enthusiasm, he said
1T seemed very large to us. who be-
gan with only $4,000 in 1852"
Thus til" proceedings lost in a sense
their official aspect because of the en-
gagine manner which Mr.. Rockefeller
displayed in his answers, which now
and then contained flashes of kindly
humor. a glow Of health showed on
Mr.. Rockefellcr's smooth -shaven face.
and to inquiring newspaper nan he
replied that he had never felt better.
The president of the Standard was
dressed In a plain business suit Of dark
material and across his vest was sus-
pended heavy gold watch chain. A
dark purple ncCktie, in which a large
pearl pin was set, smuggled close to
2 high collar.
The development Of Mr. RockefeI-
Iers testimony today, which carried
nm 10 the organization of the stand
ara oil company, of Ohio. indicated
that one of the lines Of the defense
would be that the Standard oil com
P"hN Is not the result Of an aggressive
P""cN TO gain mastery of the OIL trade.
as charged but naturally the outcome
oI an economic DEVELOPMENT which
''' oNlsencies of the oil industry de-
manded
$4,000 Loan Did II.
During brief recess this afternoon
Mr Rockefeller talked to the reuort-
crs on the standard growth. saving.
What a wonderful thing il an has
been-thc growth of this business. II
all seems like a dream to m. and
here / am accused Of doing the very
wicked thing of selling a good article
This testimony here today brings
back to my mind so clearly. early
days in Cleveland. where we were all
friends and ncighbors together How
well l remember that day in Cleve-
land when I went into the bank of y
=. Handy. who afterWard became one
Of my dearest friends. / wanted to
borrow money, but / did not have any
collateral nor any one to endorse my
note. told him what I wanted to
do with il. and then he asked me now
much | wanted. L need $4,000
said. and got it, To that loan / at
tribute whatever success / have mad
in later years"
The taking Of Mr.. Rockefsller's tes-
timony will be continued tomorrow.
The Hearing In Detail.
EX-Judge Franklin FERRIS. master
Of the proceeding had ordered that
no spectators De permitted 10 enter the
chamber. and policemen posted az the
door turned back an insiSteut thr0ng
that besieged the room where the tes-
timony was being taken.
What was your first connection in
the oil business -" was asked.
About 1850 or 1852. was then a
young man. much younger than ana
now" said Rockefeller.
In reply 10 the question as To who
were associated with him 10 the Oh