The far-sighted Americans of the transition period in this country’s history, who created the modern petroleum industry, and built up the machinery for its continuous expansion, began with the definite aim of involving order from chaos. They were from the outset reformers of business methods and enemies of waste. The latter had become colossal during the unsettled years that were marked by the duration and aftermath of civil war. The work of these business pioneers was gradual, but it developed an ever-increasing impetus; and as the years went on the ethical import of their mission became more and more apparent. It would be wide of the facts to say that the element of gain played no part in these developments. Little indeed would be accomplished in the way of progress were the incentive of personal gain in some form or other removed. On this point the Scottish economist, Adam Smith, spoke pertinently one hundred and fifty years or more ago: “By pursuing his own interest a man frequently promotes that of society more effectually than when he really intends to promote it.” Nevertheless it is clear that in the case of some of the leaders most closely identified with the organization of the petroleum industry, personal motive and energy were supplemented by a sincere desire to promote the prosperity and welfare of the American people as a whole. Coming to the larger question of what the principle of order means to humanity in the abstract, it must be noted that all modern thinkers whether they be supporters of capitalism--the system on which all past industrial and national progress has been based--or intellectual socialists pin their faith to that principle as the sole means whereby mankind can be raised to a higher level. Moderate socialists are especially emphatic on this point and it is the key-note of their writings. They attribute the great mass of poverty and suffering which still exists in this world to lack of order--to the failure of mankind, in the individual and in the aggregate, adequately to realize its importance. The goal which all enlightened men, of whatever school of thought, desire to see attained, is the abolition of poverty; not the imaginary poverty of the man who chafes because he cannot have everything he desires; but the actual, galling poverty that is born of the worker’s inability to produce sufficient to earn rewards that will enable him to live according to decent standards. It is to the eternal credit of the leaders of the petroleum industry in America that they have set a beacon of order and efficiency which lights the road by which that great end--the abolition of poverty--may be reached. It is a principle that runs like a golden thread through the vast and complex system that has grown up around petroleum.