Eduardo Doheny was of a similar age to Harry Sinclair, but he presented a more refined demeanor. Resting with one leg crossed over the other, he spoke with a hint of complexity, "Don't underestimate this man too much. Previously, Joseph Adonis in Los Angeles just went against his wishes, and Donnie sent him to prison. Given the charges they've laid on him now, Joseph Adonis would have to live to 150 years old to get out!"
The affair concerning Joseph Adonis was already spreading, although Donnie had previously warned Julian Weber not to link this matter to him.
However, some astute individuals still guessed that this affair must be related to Donnie; after all, Joseph Adonis had started a bookie operation behind Donnie's back.
Besides, Eduardo Doheny's stronghold was in Los Angeles, which meant he had a better understanding of the happenings there.
James O'Neal was the oldest among the four of them, yet he was also the most hot-headed. He spoke in a carefree manner, "I've heard of this Joseph too, he has some connections with Charlone White in Canada. At the end of the day he's just a gang member, not worth our concern. Donnie doesn't have the guts to play these games with us!"
Although Prelly Oil's registered location was in the United States, and James O'Neal was American, in reality, most of his business was in Canada. It was his Prelly Oil that handled the fund transfers for the four of them and Albert Furr.
By November, these individuals, along with other members of their interest group, were still there, having concluded a deal that breached commercial law in private.
At the time, Colonel Humphreys, the owner of MacXia Oilfield, Harry Blackmer, president of Central Western Oil Company, James O'Neill, head of Prelly Oil Company, Colonel Robert Stuart, chairman of Indiana Standard Oil, and Harry Sinclair, owner of Sinclair Consolidated Oil, were present.
At the meeting, Colonel Humphreys wished to sell his 33 million barrels of oil for USD 1.5 per barrel. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ NovᴇlFir(e).nᴇt
This was a sizable deal at the time, and the oil magnates present did not commit immediately.
Then stood up the owner of a company called Continental Oil, a man named Osler, who was a renowned lawyer from Canada.
Osler hoped to buy all the oil for himself.
Colonel Humphreys was somewhat surprised, as he had never even heard of Continental Oil and refused to go through with the deal.
However, Sinclair and O'Neill present said they were willing to come together to back this so-called Continental Oil.
With reliable guarantors, Colonel Humphreys cast aside his doubts and sold all 33 million barrels to Continental Oil.
But soon after, Continental Oil sold the oil for USD 1.75 per barrel to the companies of Sinclair and O'Neill.
This move brought a net profit of 25 cents per barrel into the pockets of Continental Oil.
In reality, the so-called Continental Oil from Canada was nothing more than a shell company, and Osler was merely a puppet for James O'Neill and his associates.
In this transaction, even though it harmed their companies' interests, it fattened their own wallets.
And this trade was unearthed following the explosion of the Teapot Dome scandal!
"Doheny, you're just too timid. To put it nicely, Donnie is the owner of the country's largest commercial radio, but in reality, all he has done is seized an opportunity. If we had gotten into commercial radio before him, we would definitely have done better. The same goes for the Surf Hotel in Atlantic City. Without Nucky's help, how could Donnie possibly succeed?
This man is merely a lucky fellow who has come this far by being clever—previously unnoticed. Now that we have taken notice of him in advance, his tricks won't work on us!" Colonel Robert Stuart, president of Indiana Standard Oil, said nonchalantly.
Harry Sinclair also laughed, "That's right, Donnie might have gathered a group of veterans and bought some weapons, but so what? Don't forget we have the great Colonel Stuart here, who has solved all our problems with force!"
Robert Stuart had also served in World War I and was promoted to colonel after the war. However, as the war ended, he left the military—not like Donnie and the others, who were discharged. Stuart left voluntarily, as he had an oil company at home waiting for him to inherit!
It was Robert Stuart who disclosed Donnie's deal with the army to the rest of the group.
"Alright, since you're all so confident, I won't worry either!" Eduardo Doheny laughed and nodded. He, like the other three present, did not take the so-called gang forces seriously. Stay tuned with My Virtual Library Empire
In American society, their status was somewhat akin to that of Cabinet Ministers, able to mobilize the power of the government through their connections.
Under such circumstances, they naturally looked down on these ragtag gangs.
It was only when they encountered some shady troubles that they would remember these people, then throw some money at them to help solve their own problems!