Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1889-07-25
TEE STANDARD or ALLIANos.

ylOVv the Ring Evolved the TRUST
Nine OiengiuOus Wagnates who
Control tue Vast Petroleum tudu.-
Try of AmerIch-The Simple and
Effective Machinery OF "A Gigantlc
COnccrn--NaIuber IBl.
T The following is the third Of a series
Of articles on "lrusts and Monopolies,"
by William l.. Wilson OF Virginia, an ex-
member of Congress, which have at
traeted widespread attention. 1t ap
pea-sd originally in the Baltimore Sun
~ n recent datel:
When one has learned upon what meat
the Chic corporation fed, he is no longer
puzzled to understand how, within half
dozen years, it came 20 control the oil re-
tning business of the country, as we'll rs
for home oonsum ption as for exports-
tion. The mansgers of this organization
did not depend on the gradual and re-
sistless effect OF their great rebates on the
| eastern trunk Ines TO rid them Of compe-
tition, but seen 10 have adopted the rule
OF the Irishman az Donnybrook Fair,
which was to strike wherever he saw
head.
Serious and passionate charges OF
criminal character against some OF the
agents of the combination were made by
| witnesses before the house committee,
| who believed Themselves victims of its
| power and persecution, but il is not
necessary to examine or credit these
\ charges TO reach the conclusion that, hav.
ing acquired o g;anta strength, it used it
like a gait TO extend its control over the
home market.
|, It's plans we're Systematic aud compre.
hensige, and geem to have inoluded a
geographical division OF the country, its
own intrenohmsnt at favorable distribut-
ing centres and its command ofthe inter
vening regions. To accomplish this 1t
put forth its power as readily in small
as in large field TO make competition
impossible.
CRUSHING INDEPENDENT INDUSTRY.
The testimony Ct Mr. George Rice, ar
independent refner of Marietta, Ohio
reveals the difficulties, snnoyances ana
lossea he encountered in trying to market
his oils in the south and southwest.
They involve higher freight charges
absolute refusal OF cs-risgs, delays and
gh1iIlings that amounted to such retusals
and the immediate reduction, below cosi
Of the price OF oil in any village or tow
20 which he sent his products
Indeed, the fear OF his powerful com
petitor seems even to have made con
8.Euction companies refuse TO build car
for him on their usual terms. He pro
dueed letters written by the firm which
represented the Standard Oil Company n
Acuisvile, since orsGuizsi into the Sian
iari Oil Company of Kentucky of whicl
one directed the Louisville ~ Nsahvill
: Railroad Company TO turn anotbe
lcrsW" on him, which it Immediately die
By raising his freight rates from lees tina,
4 60 censs TO 80 cents PSF barrel, and ether
threatened his consignses in Louisvlll
with composition which will not b
confined to coal oil, or to any one articl
! and will not be limited 10 any one year
IA momsnt1us threat TO business fri
in view Of the power behind it and tn
speed and secrecy Of its possible execu
lion.
4 A recent decision OF the Interstate com
\ neree commission, at the suit Of Nj
J. Rioe against certain railroad companies
snds that their determinations in fave
3 Of the STANDARD Oh Trust, by the de7ice
. of undertaking and tank cars, have nj
/, ceaEed even under the law Of Congress
9 which commands equity and equality q
. the rule Of all charges made by carrier
i. OF interstate commerce.
7 :.