The times., 1899-09-13
OIL TRUSTS EVIL Ways
Evidence Given Before the Indus
trial Commission.
Mr.. Emery Tells of the Method Rail-
roads Have of Discriminating in
Favor of Certain Befners - He
Thinks the Government should
Control Transportation Facilities.

Control Transportation Facilities.
Former State Senator Emery, Of Pennsyl-
Tania, finished his testimony on the oil in
dustry before the Industrial Commission
al 5 O'Clock yesterday afternoon, after hav-
ing occupied the stand for two days. Mr..
Emery was very positive in expressing his
belief that If it were not for the discrimi-
nation ia rates practiced by the railroads
OF the country, il would be impossible for
any industrial combination to become so
powerful as to control the entire trade, as
he asserted was practically the case with
the Standard Oil Company, and he conclud-
ed his testimony with the strong recon-
mendation for Government ownership of all
transportation facilities.
The witness urged that the Commission
should compel the railroad officials to tes-
tify before it, and produce their books,
which he claimed would show that rebates
are being paid now by most Of the leading
reads OF the country. Mr.. Emery's remedy
for the existing evil is Government owner
ship Of all transportation facilities, and in
urging this he cited the success OF Germany
and Norway and Sweden in this direction
The greater part of the morning testi-
mony Of the witness was devoted to de-
tailed accounts of the difficulty experienced
by the witness and other independent re-
fners in building their pipe lines and estab-
fishing their reineries on account of the
opposition Of the Standard Oil Company
The Pure Oil Company, he said, is in
corporated under the laws of New Jersey
fn the form of voting trust. AS manager
OF the United States Pipe Line Company
he appointed a committee TO call on the
Standard Oil Company in New York to
endeavor TO get the privilege of extending
their line to the seaboard. This commit
tee consisted of Chairman Phillips Of the
Industrial Commission, former State Sen
ator Lee Of Pennsylvania, and several 9TH
er gentlemen. This was the committee re-
ferred 10 by Mr.. Archbold in his testi-
mony, 10 which Chairman Phillips took ex-
ception, and to which he replied as a wit
ness before the Commission last week
Mr.. Emery denied that any proposition
for combination with the Standard people
was made by that committee. He defend
ed Mr.. Phillips against the charges of be-
ing disappointed in not getting into the
Standard oil Company. Chairman Phil
lips then endeayored 10 have the witness
testify TO the connection OF the "Oi
pany. These questions were objected TO
Immediately by Commissioner Farquhar,
and the subject was dropped
The average cost of drilling a well at
the present time would be, the witness
said. more than 81, 600. On account of the
rise in the price of iron pipe Mr. Emery
said, wells could not profltably be drilled
at the present time. He stated that up
ward OF sl50.o00 would be lost TO the
United Pipe Line Company by reason Of
being unable TO go under railroads in New
Jersey TO get their pipe line 10 the sea.
MI Emery began 10 relate his experience
with New Jersey officials, but he said this
matter was so disgraeeful that he would
not go into it, IL would involve a criti-
cism Of next TO the highest officer Of the
United States Government and also the
third highest officer Of the Government"
said Mr.. Emery and / don't know that
have any right 10 criticise them. although
] have been in the habit of calling white
white and black black"
In giving the cost of Transporting oil
Mr.. Emery said that there was an ostab-
lished rate OF 45 cents a barrel by the
roads from Pennsylvania 10 New York
whereas the actual cost was only 10 cents
barrel. If this contract was out of The
way between the roads and the Standard
Oil combination the roads would seek the
business at the 10 cent rate. The present
barrel, as the roads have raised their
rates. This contract was made before the
passage Of the Interstate Commerce law
but by circumstances happening only two
years ago, the witness was sure the con-
tract is in existence today. The oil bust
ness is more prosperous now than il was
few years ago. The supply is not ade-
auate TO the demand. Mr.. Emery said he
could sell five times the amount he Iro-
TeG II. n
whether he had received rebates from the
railroads: Never" He then modified his
answer by admitting that he had received
rebates in 1872. bur not since that time.
i am an absolute believer in the Gov
ernment ownership of ali transportation
facilities. especially railroads, said
Mr.. Emery, when asked what ne would
suggest In the way Of remedial legislation.
IF the railroads and waterways can be
put under Government control the whole
difficulty would end.
''If YOU would make an example OF these
men who are discriminating in their rates.
and put them behind the bars. it would
Be well.
Major Farouhar is TO represent the sub
commission on manufactures, Mr. Often
on mining. Mr.. Harris on transportation.
and Colonel Livingston on agriculture
Senator Kyle was designated as the rep
resentative-at-lsrge Of the Commission at
Chicago during the session Of the Civic
Federation.
Samuel Gompers. the President OF the
American Federation Of Labor, and T. V.
Poyderly. the Commissioner Of Immigrs-
tion, are among those who will be heard
this week one Of them on Thursday and
the other on Friday The one of them will
testify on general labor topics and the
other on immigration topics.
The Hon John Wansmaker, Of Phiisdel-
phIa. Is one Of those who have been in
vited 10 appear this month He VIII be
expected to enllghien the Commission es-
pecIally as 10 the relation OF department
stores TO industry and labor. He is 10
have the pick Of days up to the 23d. but
up TO this time be has not indicated which
OF them he prefers