New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-11
AGAINST A MONOPOLY.
RIVALS OF THE STANDARD OIL COMPANY
SEEKING LEGISLATION.
THEY WANT PERMISSION TO LAY PIPE LINES
THROUGH THE STATE - DEMAND THE
RIGHT OF EMINENT DOMAIN - RAILROAD
COMPANIES ACCUSED OF CONSPIRACY
TO KEEP THE STANDARDS
COMPETITORS FROM GETTING
THEIR RIGHTS.

Trenton March 10 (SpecaD.-Some interesting
speeches made to-day before the Senate Com
mttee on Railroads and Canals over Senate bill No.
1885, which permits pipeline companies to lay pipes
for the transportation Of petroleum under the lands
OF any State corporation or under private property.
The bill was introduced by Mr. Herbert chairman
Of the committee. the other members of which are
Messrs. Ward and Engle 1t is in the interest Of
the United States OIL Company and is vigorously
opposed by the Standard Oil Company.
Senator Lewis Emory. jr. OF Bradford. Penn.
the first speaker. He made an eloquent and
fervent argument in favor OF the measure. As an
oil himself he said that he was able to trace
the history Of the petroleum industry. He briefly
sketched the increase in volume OF the production.
and explained the amount OF capital required TO
work the various deposits in all parts OF the world.
The annual product OF the United States amounts
100000 barrels. and is valued a, $4,000 600.
Ninetenths Of this product is controlled BY one cor
poration With this vast sum Of money controlled
by one company, Its competitors were forced TO ask
for legislation so that their pipes might be allowed
to run through the State. The railroads seek stop
the enterprise by refusing permission for the
ming Of the pipes under their tracks.
Not single citizen. continued the speaker has
refused to encourage this competition The value of
petroleum cannot be measured by dollars and cents
because II enters into every article Of manufacture
II is Indispensable In arts and science. and in the
medical profession 200 remedies have been derived
exports to foreign countries. Notwithstanding the
quantity produced in Russia. Japan and Borneo.
Mr.. Emory then made earnest plea for tho
broadening Of this great business and give liberty
to IT. II 1t were not for the railroads, he would
not be here battling for the rights OF the people.
He charged that the Standard oil Company con-
uoled all the railroads in the State except the New
Jersey Central
Senator j. W. Lea of Pittsburg, explained the
legal points of the bill. which. he said affected
both New-Jersey and Pennsylvania. The United
States Company he said, entitled to the right
Of eminent domain, the same as any railroad or
other corporation. There legal reasons
why this privilege should not be conferred. Tho
courts Of Pennsylvania. Ohio. West Virginia and
Indiana had settled that question In favor OF emf
nent domain. His oil company just much
entitled 10 the public Of the land OF the State
telegraph and railroad companies. The
only way to transport petroleum was by pipe lines.
Not a single person had ever been injured by
pipe lines. he said. Farmers and bt-owners would
charge anything for their passing through prop
erty. because they knew competition would recon-
Iense them He concluded with powerful argu-
ment and was followed by several other speakers.
The hearing was adjourned until tomorrow. when
those opposed to the bill will be heard