Judging from the cartoon showing it as an octopus, many Americans at the turn of the century saw Standard Oil as:

A) a public benefactor.

B) a threat to government and people alike.

C) friendly and trustworthy.

D) a victim of anti-business propaganda.

B) a threat to government and people alike.

Explanation:

Big corporations like Standard Oil Co. became very powerful and had multiple interests. Because of its power, it tried to influence public policies both in the USA and abroad for its own benefit. That perception is reflected by the cartoon.