The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-04-07
STANDARD OIL INVESTIGATION.
Testimony of oil Well DriIlers-The Nature
OF the Combine.

Testimony OF Oil Well DrilIers-The Nature
Of the Combine.
WASHINGTON, April G.-The House
Committee on Manufactures to-day be-
gan an inquiry into the alleged Standard
Oil Trust, under the authority conferred
upon the committee by the House to in
yestigate all trusts or combinations.
Henry Webster, OF Bradford, Pa, a
contractor Tor drilling oil wells, testified
that he was member OF the Oil Well
Daliers Union, 4 labor organization com
prised ot nine lodges, representing prac-
iitaIIy the entire northern Pennsylvania
aud southern New York oil field. II
Vas an entirely separate body from the
s0-Called producers association. The
union was organized December s, 1878,
and numbered between 1900 aud ., 400
men. Witness refused to divulge the
names Of the officers. Before the torma-
ton OF the Union, work in drilling and
cleaning out oil wells had become very
slack, owing to the determination OF the
Producers Association to diminish the
production OF oil. 1t was understood
tha; one million barrels OF oil had been
SET apart BY the Standard Oil
Company and one million to the Pro-
ducers Association for the benefit OF
laboring men thrown out by this
shutting down movement. The Oil
Dnllers Union was formed TO secure
the benefit OF this action. Since the
union was formed oil drilling had prac-
uellly ceased. Witness had done no
work since that date and had received
~ ls his share OF the amount set aside
ior those thrown out Of work. Witness
laid before the committee 4 copy OF the
agreement entered into on December %,
~, between the Executive Board Of
The Producers Protective Association
AMI the Executive Board OF the Well
DrI.en' Union. This contract provides
among other things that the Producers
Association shall pay to the Well Drill
rrS Union the profits on one million
barrels Of oil, and the residue OF profit
on another million barrels that may re-
main after adjusting and paying the
ciesses OF labor injured by the shut down
movement. These profits are to be dis
ttnblted among the members OF the
Wei Drillers' Union who have been
thrown out OF work. The oil shall be
hell by the Producers Association and
sN'd by them when they think proper,
9at not faster than one-tourth every
three months.
APersons entitled to the benefit shall
devote the time and attention to the
stopping OF the drill during the con-
uhuancc Of the agreement and shall re-
port weekly TO 4 designated officer. In
each district there shall be an officer
selected by the Executive Board Of the
local lodges, whose duty it shall be to
Keep q lookout for, and endeayor to pre-
vent tue drilling OF wells when ordered
u do SO by either OF the parties to the
agreement Members OF the committee
sAall receive 81 per day and expenses
~ addition to their pay as members o'
tae union. No member OF the union
sRal engage in the drilling or cleaning
o. any well in the light fields without
Iae consent oian officer OF the Producers
Protective Association in the district tc
which he belongs. Witness stated his
9eile! that there had been attempts e
lu!l wells since the agreement wen
INTO effect without the consent OF partiei
% the contract. He had heard OF thre'
attempts being made to destroy ap
Iaraius that was to be used in drilling
these wells.
= Chairman Bacon read newspaper ex
Efaet, giving an account Of IN oil rig