Practically all saw the force in this argument and sold--in most cases taking cash.
The acquisition of these Cleveland refineries made inevitable the Rockefeller conquest of the oil industry.

Up to that time the Standard had refined about fifteen hundred barrels a day, and now suddenly its capacity jumped to more than twelve thousand barrels.

This one strategic move had made Rockefeller master of about one-third of all the oil business in the United States, and this fact explains the rapidity with which the other citadels fell.

There is no evidence that the Standard exercised any pressure upon the great refineries in New York, Pittsburgh, and Philadelphia.

Indeed these concerns manifested an eagerness to join.