Business & Finance: Deals & Developments: Dec. 8, 1930

Bigger Bethlehem? Persistent last week were stories that Bethlehem Steel Corp. will: 1) Acquire a group of steel fabricating companies, chief of which is famed McClintic-Marshall Co. of Pittsburgh; 2) Acquire, if the Youngstown Sheet & Tube merger goes through, Jones & Laughlin Steel Corp., closely held old Pittsburgh independent.

Rockefeller Oils. When the old Standard Oil "Trust" was dissolved in 1911, the Rockefeller interests held about 25% of the stock in all the 33 severed units. Long has it been known that these holdings have slowly been shifted. Last week the following was reported: 1) Companies in which the Rockefeller interests are concentrating: Standard Oils of New Jersey, New York, California; and Vacuum Oil. 2) Companies in which the Rockefeller holdings are retained: Standard Oil of Ohio; Ohio Oil Co.; several smaller units. 3) Companies from which the Rockefeller interests have completely withdrawn: Standard Oils of Kentucky and Kansas; Atlantic Refining Co.; Prairie Oil & Gas; Prairie Pipe Line.

Notable in depression has been the dividend record of the Standard Oil group. During 1930 a total of $286,666,728 will have been disbursed, greater than in any previous year, and $17,020,801 greater than last year. Of this gain, more than $13,000,000 resulted from a 50¢ extra by Imperial Oil Ltd., Canadian subsidiary of Standard Oil of New Jersey. A $1,500,000 extra by Humble Oil, payable Jan. 1, is not included.