The times., 1899-12-14

The United States Industrial Commission
viii today begin the preparation of its
preliminary report to Congress. and it is
doubtful if any more testimony will be
taken until after the Christmas holidays.
The witness before the Commission yes
terday was Howard Page Of New York.
Vice President of the Union Tank Com
nany. which supplies all of the tank cars
used by the Standard Oil Company in its
enormous transportation business. This
tank company IS composed of Standard Oil
Company officials, and is conducted as an
adjunct TO the Standard
Mr. Page began his testimony with a
denial of the charges recently made by
George Rice, an Independent oil reifner
TO the effect that the Standard Oil Com
psny used money and influence to enlarge
its business. and in matters of securing
transportation rates favorable to the com
pany
Mr.. Page said that there are in this coun-
try 10 individuals and companies who own
over 7.420 tank cars. while the Standard
Oil Company owns but 1854. He declared
that the Union Tank Company is largely
owned by stockholders of the Standard Oil
Company Since it was organized in 1891
the company has n-veT paid dividend, but
he declined 10 state why the business was
conducted when it is run al loss The
witness could not say whether the tank
ships used for water transportation were
owned by the same company, or whether
the concerned was composed of people il
the Standard OH Company. Mr.. Page asked
10 be excused from answering the question
as 10 what Standard oil Company he meant
when using that term, whether he meant
one OF more companies.
Mr.. Page said that Mr.. Rice was never
offered $3.50 000 by the Standard Oil Com
pany for his property, and added that
Rice offered 4 man named f B. Squire
$4,000 to sell the plant for him 10 the
Standard Oil Company for $250, ,000 Squire
is an officer of the Standard Oil Company
in Ohio. and Mr.. Page produced and read
an affidavit setting forth the facts in rela-
Uon to the alleged offer of Mr. Price
The Standard Oil Company, witness de-
clared, believes as a business proposition
that it is TO its advantage to have rates
maintained. for il can distribute and sell
its products cheaper than any competitor
The company ships to Canada so per cent
of all the oil sent there, but the company
owns no interest in Canada. Prior 10 the
Interstate Commerce law the Standard Oil
Company secured the lowest rates possible
in this country, but never stipulated that
a preference should be given to il over
competitors. Mr.. Page said that he knew
that some shippers received lower rates
thai the Standard OIL Company prior 10
the passage cf the Interstate Commerce
law: witness did not know of a case where
share OF the rates paid by independent
shippers were turned over 10 the com
pany, he knew of no case where the COM
pany cbstructed rivals in obtaining trans
pnrtation by land or water; the exports
OF the company are in excess of the sales
in this country. and the price to con
sumers here is cheaper than abroad be-
cause the facilities for distributing oil
are better in the United States
Mr.. Page said that he had no knowledge
Of the Standard oil Company's selling its
products in Germany or other foreign coun-
tries for less than cost to get the oil there;
the Russian Government had issued an or
der forbidding railroads to purchase any
but Russia oil; the supply Of Russian oil
is greater than that in the United States,
but the quality is inferior 20 the American
product.
When Mr.. Phillips asked Mr. Page If he
did not think the Standard Oil Company
should make similar statements TO the
Commission that individual producers had
made he replied:
1T seems to be that II would be imper-
tinent for me, q subordinate to tell my su-
periors what they ought to do or ought not
20 do"
Mr. Page said that ne did not know that
the Standard Oil Company has a refinery
IN Texas