The second place of importance in regard to the petroleum enterprises of international influence must be given to the “Shell” Transport and Trading Company, Ltd., whose headquarters are in London, with that well-known oil pioneer, Sir Marcus Samuel, Bart., as its Chairman. Formed just over twenty years ago for dealing primarily as a transporter of petroleum products in the Far East, the “Shell” has steadily and continuously extended the sphere of its operations, until the result of a carefully thought out policy is seen in its activities in almost every oil-field of the world. Just over ten years ago, the Company made an amalgamation with the Royal Dutch Petroleum Company, or, to give it its correct name, the Koninklijke Nederlandsche Maatschappij tot exploitatie van petroleum-bronnen in Nederlandsch Indie (whose capital is £12,500,000), and by reason of so doing it materially increased its international position and importance. The “Shell”--Royal Dutch Combine to-day has a controlling interest in some of the largest operating companies in Russia, Roumania, California, Mexico, Venezuela, and other oil regions, one of its most recent extensions being in its advent into the petroleum industry of Trinidad. The “Shell” Company has a record for successful industrial expansion which is achieved by few companies in the world of commerce: its capital is now £15,000,000, and in dividends it has distributed over 300 per cent. Among the “Shell” Company’s associated concerns, that of the Anglo-Saxon Petroleum Company, Ltd., which is responsible for the ocean transportation of the petroleum products of the Combine, takes first place, with its capital of £8,000,000; while the Asiatic Petroleum Company, Ltd. (capital, £2,000,000), ranks but second. The recent fusion of the interests of Lord Cowdray with those of the “Shell,” for the latter has acquired the control of the great Mexican interests associated with the Pearson company, is another instance of how the “Shell” Company has trod the road of progress and expansion.