It would be surprising if in an organization which included a great
number of men there should not be an occasional employee here and
there who acted, in connection with the business or perhaps in
conducting his own affairs, in a way which might be criticized. Even
in a comparatively small organization it is wellnigh impossible to
restrain this occasional man who is over-zealous for his own or his
company's advancement. To judge the character of all the members of a
great organization or the organization itself by the actions of a few
individuals would be manifestly unfair.

It has been said that I forced the men who became my partners in the
oil business to join with me. I would not have been so short-sighted.
If it were true that I followed such tactics, I ask, would it have
been possible to make of such men life-long companions? Would they
accept, and remain for many years in positions of the greatest trust,
and finally, could any one have formed of such men, if they had been
so browbeaten, a group which has for all these years worked in loyal
harmony, with fair dealing among themselves as well as with others,
building up efficiency and acting in entire unity? This powerful
organization has not only lasted but its efficiency has increased. For
fourteen years I have been out of business, and in eight or ten years
went only once to the company's office.

In the summer of 1907 I visited again the room at the top of the
Standard Oil Company's building, where the officers of the company and
the heads of departments have had their luncheon served for many
years. I was surprised to find so many men who had come to the front
since my last visit years ago. Afterward I had an opportunity to talk