These rapid purchasing campaigns gave the Standard ninety per cent of all the refineries in the United States, but Rockefeller's scheme comprehended more than the acquisition of refineries.

In the main the Rockefeller group left the production of crude oil in the hands of the private drillers, but practically every other branch of the business passed ultimately into their hands.

Both the New York Central and the Erie railroads surrendered to the Standard the large oil terminal stations which they had maintained for years in New York.

As a consequence, the Standard obtained complete supervision of all oil sent by railroad into New York, and it also secured the machinery of a complete espionage system over the business of competitors.

The Standard acquired companies which had built up a large business in marketing oil.