The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-11-12
INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION.
George Rice, independent OIL Pro-
duccr, Testified.

George Rice, Independent OIL Pro-
Queer, Testified.
Washington. November 1l.-~Mr. George Rice
Of Marietta, Ohio who described himself ns
moderate producer OF OIL" was before the
industrial commission today. MIR. Rice had
prepared statement setting forth his views.
which he had copyrighted. This copyrighted
pamphlet the committee refused to receive
MS such but Mr. Rice was allowed TO pro-
coed under the rules of the commission, US
ing the pamphlet as Il basis for his state
ments.
In his formal statement. MIR. Rice accused
the railroad companies generally with CON
spring In connection with the Standard on
company TO drive independent rehneries out
Of the field of activity. He gave alleged in
stances of discrimination by tnr
in favor of the SL,nunrd On company pre-
vious to tho passage of the interstate CONF
merce law and asserted that rebates were
stil given. MIR. Rice asserted IN one case
many years ago n Discrimination OF 100 per
cent had been made for the Standard COM
pany and added that rates ON his products
from Marietta were advanced IN 1873 TO the
extent OF from AZ TO 1860 per cent, whereas,
he said, no advance WAS made IN the rates
of the Standard company.
Replying to the statement OF Mr.. iohn ".
Archibald of the Standard OIL company, thut
his company had received no discriminatory
freight rates since the Interstate commerce
law went into effect, Mr.. Rive gave numer-
Gus instances OIL Wnul NC SuHi"Nh'lir'u 49,
discrim nations made In the interest OF The
Standard company since that date. lie mau"
charges of such fuvoriusm again. ,Se south
ern Pacific, the untcn Pacific, the cincin-
natl, Washington and Baltimore. the Gin
cinnati New Orleans and Texas Pac.nc, the
Louisville and Nashville, the Iron Mountain
! the Missouri! Pacific aud other roads, saying
/ that these charges had been proven by him
| before the Interstate commerce commission
i Mr. Rice said he had become satisfied o
4 the efficacy OF tho interstate commerce com
/ mission and had Instituted no proceedings
| before 1t since 1899 He said he had not
particle of confidence in the truth OF the
| letters from numerous railroad managers
saying there was no discrimination In favor
/ OF the Standard. which were read TO the
commission by Mr.. Archibald
+ Rice said that his refinery at Marietta had
been closed for the pnst three years MS a
result OF thesa dIscrim nations,
al have - he said ''bcen driven from pillar
10 post from one railroad line to another for
twenty years In the absolutely vain endeavor
to get equal and just freight rates with the
STANDARD OF trust so ms to be able to run
my refinery at anything approaching q prom,
but this have been utterly unable to do. :
/ He asserted that the Standard company was
reported in the direciorsh'p OF railroads CON
trailing one fifth Of tho railroad mileage NJ
the country He enid '0ur government rs n
failure because OF non enforcement Of our
laws against this piratical crew who intest
our interest and commerce under secret cover
Of uulawful rebates and commissions ana
thus rob the people Of hundreds of millions
81 dollars,
i He thought the laws sufficient for the pro
/ tertson of tho nnople. but the difficulty was
I found in tho failure of the officials to en-
/ force tho law.