The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-09-07

ing 20 cents more than the Standards
schedule; which would mean, at pres
| ent prices, So cents per barrel for pc
troleum testing p degrees and over,
specific gravity, down to IS cents for "a
degree oil; the prevailing Standard
prices ranging from IS to AZ cents for
the same grades.
On the surface the proposition seems
feasible enough, and if history should
not repeat itself this time but actually
record success it might possibly prove
an entering wedge for splitting off an
/ important section of the control the
Standard exercises over the oil trade
of the country. But it has never been
a favorite policy of the Standard to let
a little matter of prices stand in the
way of holding possession of disputed
territory. Upon occasion, it has often
preferred the costly resort of practical
| ly giving away the refined product
rather than permit anybody else to get
a foothold. and if bidding down the
selling price has served the purpose in
the market, it is quite conceivable that
bidding up ON crude oil might work
equally we'll in producing section. So
long as only a few small rival plants
are projected, and the sources OF crude
oil supply not permanently assured by
more dependable means than purchase
in the open market, the chances of sur
vival cannot be held very roseate.
If the movement is fairly strong,
however, skilfully organized and direct
ed, the process of bidding up the price
of crude oil might be made SO expen-
sive to the giant corporation that it
would prefer to let the competitors es-
tablish themselves. and try out the is
in the case of the independent refiner
les already in the field and supplying
some Is to 20 per cent of the American
demand. Such a development, whether
originating in Kansas or Texas or any
where else. would be regarded with ex-
traoIdinary popular complacency. This
latest attempt may not materialize in
any very significant form, but there is
no question that the present industrial
trend favors the pose- lity of success
full competition with the huge concerns. |
The price cutting now going on in the
iron and steel trade is proving that not
even tremendous resources and central |
lied management are proof against the |
inroads of alert and determined rivals
who make up for relatively small capt.
tai by a high degree of specialization
and ability to take swift advantage of
CndIlS6S III 10
cal or general conditions.
Given an open field, with the oppor-
tunities of competition secured on
fair basis by statutes, not only en-
forceable. but enforced, and there can
be no permanently oppressive control of
prices of commodities by huge aggre-
cations of capital The really vital
point is in just this matter of protect
ing the field of opportunity for effective
rivalry. If large capital can show it
self able to influence the machinery of
government in such a way as either to
prevent this protection or nullify il
when once enacted, then indeed the
whirlwind is ready for the reapers. And
it is precisely for this reason that fear
less enforcement of law, regardless of
who the offender may be, is the only
genuine "coDserVat ism.'' and counts T.
more for practical. tangible defence of
the constitution than reams of plat
form expressions of alarm about the
fate of that honored instrument.