Evening journal., 1911-09-18
NEW NEWS OF YESTERDAY
An Incident Of the First In
veStieatiOn Of Standard
Oil
By Holland.


In the early fall of 1873 I was sent
for by the late Charles A. Dana,
editor Of the New York Sun, ard
when / answered the summons
found him reading communication
from a correspondent in Pennsyl-
vania. The letter was very brief; it
suggested TO Mr.. Dana that he cause
an investigation to be made into the
history and methods of the Standard
oil Company of Cleveland, O., which
about that time had come to be looked
upon as a trust by the oil worlc
especially. AS he handed me this
letter Mr.. Dana said: you 90 out
there and make an investigation;
make it thorough no matter how long
It takes"
/ first went to the oil regions of
western Pennsylvania and was there
about three weeks The oil producers
gave me every facility for getting
such information as was to be had in
the oil regions. They also called my
attention to certain litigation which
had then been begun IN Pennsylvania
with intent to break up the Standard
Oil Company in so far as 1t operated
in that state.
Having completed the investigation
at Titusville and Oil City, / went To
Cleveland, presuming tnat the officers
Of the Standard Oil Company would
be willing, If not ANXIOUS, to furnish
me with information which would
serve to explain some Of the more
grievous charges made against it and
its methods by the oil producers.
Furthermore, ! had no doubt the
Standard Oil Company would be glad
Of an opportunity to gain the public
ear and to explain the economic
principles which had led to the or
ganization OF the so-called trust.
When I called at the main offices
Of the Standard oil Company, after
an annoying amount or red tape had
been unravoled was received by q
very pleasant-faced and gracious
hammered young man. He listened
with apparent earhestness and sim
cerity as I stated that it was Mr.
Danas desire that an absolutely i'm
partial and prefectly fair report, based
upon Investigations into the rise and
growth of the Standard Oil Company
be printed I'm the New York Sun.
Have you ever been to Cleveland
before?' he asked with utmost po-
likeness. as I finished.
only to pass through by train"
I replied.
1T is a beautiful CITY," he said;
you should not return to New York
without seeing IT,"
81 acnnot return TO New York"
!
the point of view OF your organiza-
! tion, something of it's history and
i growth, and have obtained from you,
Il possible, some answer to the seri-
Gus accusations that are made against
your company by the oil producers OF
Pennsylvania"
The young man continued to smile
blandly. But not the slightest indi-
cation did he show of a desire In any
way TO serve me.
Can ] see MI. John d. Rookie
feller?" ] asked.
A htting but intense expression o
surprise and reproach passed over th'
young mans conntenance. Then he
resumed his bland smile. simply say
ing Nobody secs Mr.. Rockefeller
these days.
Gould l see Colonel Oliver Payneg'
I asked
Colonel Payne is a very busy man
] would not care to ask him TO max,
an appointment with you"
''Who, then is there. with whom
may talk and who can furnish ml
with the information I require?"
II don't think there is any informa
tion; there is nothing to say
Have you been instructed TO tel
me this?" I asked
with the most affable smile imag
Unable and the utmost courtesy ant
Difference of manner the young maj
replied:
1T was not necessary TO instruc
me. Have you been to the theatre?
understand that Robson and Gran
are playing i'm a very funny far,
called Our Boarding House at
local theatre. / should be glad
send you a ticket"
"Then this IS the answer that
am TO make to Mr.. Dana?' replied
"that the Standard Oil Company ha
no information TO give?"
"As you please" he said.
"Well," I replied, "you may say [
your superior officers that if I can
get the information at first hand
will get Il at second hand"
"That, also, Is as you please" h
said, politely.
II the smiling young man read Th
Sun he must have discovered abou
two weeks later, in an article cover
ing a page and a half that much &
the information had sought from hin
D had obtained elsewhere That wa
I believe the first investigation int
the history and growth of the StanC
. ard Oil Company which was eve
o made. In later years some of tn
S officers of that company confesse
that It might have been the bett,
! part had they taken the public I'M
their confidence in the beginning
4 the trusts career.
v &c, pyright 1911, by e. J. Edward
All rights reserved.)
= Tomorrow Mr.. Edwards will tell
] - IL. A.. Il