It Is Not Over Yet

What is inside

Rockefeller set out to dominate the oil industry by exploiting transportation. As the owner of the largest refinery, he struck secret deals with a major railroad company, securing a 25 percent discount for himself and a 25 percent surcharge on competitors. This made his oil cheaper and theirs more expensive. The tactic worked, forcing rivals out of business as Rockefeller acquired their refineries and took control of 90 percent of U.S. oil production. However, when these tactics were exposed, the public grew to despise him, accusing him of greed. Some mothers even used his name to scare their children, saying, “If you misbehave, I’ll call Rockefeller to eat you!!”