Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-19

Then in d manner that indicated a
pleasure at what he was about to tel,
Rockefeller spoke of his start in the oil
business and how under adverse condi-
tons that business grew to the proper
lions of the Standard Oil Company OF
Ohio, with its capitalization of 81 100000
Rockefeller's eyes sparkled in reflection
on that early financial organization and,
speaking of its million-dollar capitaiiza-
ton with almost boyish enthusiasm, he
said:
1T seemed very large to us, who began
with only 800 in 1862
He Grew Humorous.
Thus the proceedings lost in a sense
their official aspect because of the en-
gaging manner which Rockefeller dis
played in his answers which now and then
contained bits of kindly humor.
The development Of Rockefeller's testi-
mony, which carried him to the organiza-
ton 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 result of an aggres-
sive policy to obtain a mastery of the oil
trade, as charged, but rather the natural
outcome of an economical development
which the exigences of the oil industry
For this testimony Mr.. Rockefeller has
been promised no Immunity, as he was a
witness for the defense.
Following are answers of Rockefeller to
questions prOpounded by Milburn, after
there had been a few questions about
Rockefeller's birth:
Began About 1860.
What was your first connection in the
oil business?''
about 1860 or 1862. not earlier than
1860 nor later than 1862. I was quite a
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 Nor
ris, James and Richard Clark and Samuel
Andrews.
"A copartnership was formed" said
Rockefeller, known as Andrews, Clark &
Co, which operated at Cleveland, Ohio"
Rockefeller said the refinery was a
small one, and his copartnership with An
drews, Clark & Co. continued until 1865,
when it dissolved.
II bought the business and the property
and 1 organized the firm of Rockefeller &
Andrews he said.
"Well, in 1866 there was change. The
firm was William Rockefeller Co. The
Rockefeller was William. my brother, and
the company was Rockefeller and An
dreWs.'
Mr. Rockefeller said the refinery of this
company was in Cleveland and that after
ward another company, under the name
of William Rockefeller Co. was organ
ICED in New York. The same firm MEM
bers that composed the Cleveland COM
pany made up the New York company.
No "Outside Interests"
Rockefeller said that every member of
the firm devoted his entire time and at
tention to promoting the companys
growth, and that none of them had any
other business. He said the company did
refining and warehouse business, and
that his brother, William Rockefeller,
took up his residence in New York to de-
velop the business here and to save ex-
penses.
''In 1867 all the properties of Rookie
Teller & Andrews, William Rockefeller &
Co. and Rockefeller d Co. were taken
over under the firm name of Rockefeller,
Andrews & Flagler. This was Henry NJ.
Flagler, a man of large business expert
ence and valuable addition TO the firm.
A large amount of capital was put into
the firm.
Rockefeller said this company engaged
in the refining of OIL which was sold in
this country and abroad.
Three years later, in 1870, the Stand
ard Oil Company Of Ohio was organized
with capital of $1.O0O.OOO, and We en-
listed much capital in the company"
The first held fOf the production or
crude oil was Venango county. in the
western part of Pennsylvania, said
Rockefeller. He looked to Ohio to obtain
the crude oil, and the refining plants of
the company were at Cleveland, f.,ts-
burg, Parkersburg, Baltimore and New
York.
Refining Profitable.
The business of refining oil was profit
able, and as a result, he said, many re-
fineries were built.
People turned to this business of re-
fining oil who were not necessarily the
best trained business men. All sorts OF
refineries were built, according to the
means and capital at the command, of
the builders"
What was the comparative size of
your refinery to others at that time, in
1892"
Il believe it was the largest in the
country at that time
1.-The company was capitalized at
81 600 600 Was that considered a large
capitalization?" asked Milburn.
YES" replied Rockefeller. 1T was con-
sidered very large. We thought it very
large, as we started in 1880 with 500.
Were many improvements noted in the
business?"
Yves. many improvements were made"
said Rockefeller. I'VE improved ma
chinery and made our own barrels. We
had bought the barrels. which held about