The Lafayette gazette. [volume] (Lafayette, La.) 1893-1921, 1901-10-19
CAKACRISTI'S CHARGES.
Says Standard Oil Co. Domino
ates Geological Survey.

Daily States, Oct. 10.
Prof. G. F. L. Caracristi, the
petroleum expert, who is now in La
fayette, the seat of Lafayette parish,
completing survey of the gulf
plateau of Louisiana makes the open
accusation that the United States
Geological Survey is controlled and
dominated by the Standard Oh
Company to- the detriment Of the oil
and mineral interests of the South
ern States.
''My accusation may stir up
hornets nest" Prof. Caracristi said
to the writer, s'but it will result to
the benefit of the South
Says Prof. Caracr!sti:
Livery one who knows me and
my record will appreciate the fact
that for publication, at least, l am
not given to idle talk; nor do de-
vote myself to antagonizing any
person or interest. Especially IS
this SO in my relations and express
sions with regard to the Standard
Oil Company. Both in personal
way and liz my professional life I
have been friend of the Standard as
far as my clients interests would
permit. I thus preface what am
going to say because I do not wish
to be classed with those cranks,
who, knowing nothing about this
great institution, make it their bust
ness to assail it at every turn, gen.
erably without tenable cause or
reason.
eft may not be generally known
that the Southern oil field, that of
Kentucky, was the first oil field dis
covered in North America. Have
you ever thought that the civil un-
pleasantness broke out just after the
discovery of petroleum in the East,
and that by powerful influence over
commerce the petroleum
trade was zealously kept to benefit
the East, and every time move
was made to bring forward South
ern and Southwestern oil, the COM
bined forces of the East and North
east were brought to bear against
the investment of capital.
"Naturally you will ask what
power brought about this condition,
and in reply I will state that in late
years the Standard Oil Company by
its control of the United States
survey has been able to
suppress the development of the
Southern oil fields.
"Before the Southern oil ava
anChe startled the world, did any
one ever hear Of the possibilities of
Southern petroleum except it was
-idiculed or ignored by the United
States Geological Survey? Read
he report and see."
'sIhe time has come when every
Southern senator and congressman
should ask what the mineral re-
source division of the Geological
Survey has actually done for the
South outside of copying the State
reports and taking the credit. The
South is interested in having it's
known, and a small-sized
should not stand in
he way.
''The division of mineral re-
sources OF the Geological Survey
should be abolished and be made a
part of the United States census,
which in turn should be made
permanent bureau governed by a
non partisan commission.
"The Southern petroleum in
Justly demands hat the United
States reports should not be domin-
ated by the Standard Oil Company
through its influence with the Geo
ogical Survey. l am sounding this
warning not for my own good, but
n the interest of the great petro-
cum interest of the South, and 1
ask the Southern press to investi-
gate the logic Of my position
through their Washington CORE
;pondents.
"Tbe sooner the Geological
Survey is reorganized the better for
he South. -