As the oil industry grew, comfortable family firms, hitherto untouched by the ferocities of competition, found their position under attack and their independence menaced. The painful, inexorable process of substituting a new economic order for an old is here detailed from the viewpoint and records of one of the dispossessed.

In the manner of the Creole tradesmen of Louisiana, whose lagniappe to their patrons is legendary, the Editor offers a similar bonus to readers of the Review. Instead of trifling presents added to a purchase, however, our lagniappe will be notes and documents illustrative of the evolution of business enterprise.

In the manner of the Creole tradesmen of Louisiana, whose lagniappe to their patrons is legendary, the Editors offer a similar bonus to readers of the Review. Instead of trifling presents added to a purchase, however, our lagniappe will be documents illustrative of the evolution of business enterprise. It is hoped thus to provide a wider availability of the raw materials of business history to teachers and researchers.

Do we know what capitalism means? Are we annoyed by what seems a change in the use of the term? How about some other words of high import, such as democracy, labor, people, religion, communism, fascism? How can we be scholars, journalists, politicians, or even intelligent voters without having a clear concept of these terms? Or is it just a matter of pedantry that I am insisting on? Perhaps the extreme points of view are expressed by the words “scholarship” and “propaganda.” The propagandist certainly wants no limitations put upon his strategic use of terms. He is a master in intellectual crookedness and is irked by any effort that cramps his style.

To facilitate research in business history among scholars throughout the world, the Review presents the fourth in its current series of reports by our International Correspondents. It is our hope that comparative studies of common problems and the exchange of data and ideas will continue to follow.

Although the system of capitalism may be very old, the concept of such a system belongs almost wholly to the last hundred years. I shall deal with only five views, thereby leaving to others such additions as they think fit.