WASHINGTON, D. C., March 30, 1872. William G. Warden affirmed and examined. By Mr. C. Heydrick (Counsel). _Q._ Are you an officer of the South Improvement Company? _A._ Yes, sir; or rather, I was. _Q._ What office did you hold? _A._ I held the office of secretary during all the previous meetings, and was a director of the company. _Q._ When was the company organised? _A._ Our minutes will show that, if you will allow me to refer to them, and I desire to put them in as evidence. On referring to the minutes I find that the corporators’ meeting was held January 2, 1872. As I understand that these minutes are to go in as a part of the evidence, they will furnish you all the information you desire in regard to the organisation and proceedings of the company. [The chairman stated that the witness could refer to the minutes as memoranda, and that the committee would determine hereafter as to whether they should be received as evidence.] By Mr. Heydrick. _Q._ For what object or business was the company organised? _A._ For refining oil. _Q._ That meeting was under the charter which has been presented? _A._ That was the first meeting held after we got the charter. _Q._ The gentlemen who attended that meeting on the second of January were those named in the act of the incorporation? _A._ Yes, sir; they met and transferred the company under the charter over to the stockholders. _Q._ Did the incorporators named in the act transfer their interest to the stockholders, as you have stated on that occasion? _A._ Yes, sir. _Q._ What refining capacity does this company possess? State the amount of capital and stock subscribed and put in? _A._ At that time 1,100 shares, at $100 per share, was subscribed, and twenty per cent. thereon paid into the treasury. * * * * * _Q._ Where did that company intend to refine oil? _A._ Their calculation was to get all the refineries in the country into the company. _Q._ Was it the design of the stockholders to include all the oil refineries in this country? _A._ Yes, sir; every one of them. * * * * * _Q._ Can you give us a list of the stockholders? _A._ I can give you them from the minutes. They are as follows: