Sistersville daily oil review. [volume] (Sistersville, W. Va.) 1902-1905, 1904-05-19

pear the nafQSnlpS OF putting up
a fight against independent inter-
ests at home and adverse on
competitive interest abroad. 1t is
noted that Standard Oil profits re-
main always the same, or at least
there is seldom a reduction in div
idends. That the batteries of the
Standard are having some effect
on independent interests is indi-
Gated in the decline in the value of
Pure Oil company stock, which is
said to be offered at 1928 per
share, while last fall it was selling
at So and So per share. The con-
dition of the producing fields in
which competition for production
between the Standard and Pure
Oil companies is sharpest do not
afford the pipeage profits of for
mer years and the decline in this
production is so marked that not
only does the question of future
supply appear serious one, but
the question of vast expense to
keep up a supply must be consid-
cred. The harmony that was once
the chief strength of the indepen-
dent interests cannot be said to
characterize their present efforts.
Gradually and subtlely the men Of
influence and standing in produc-
ing circles have been dropped
from the management until now
the management rests almost
wholly in the hands of one or two
mediocre individuals and a host of
subordinates picked up in Titus
vile, Pa, the recognized home Of
local Standard Oil company off
Gals. Such names as G.. P. Col
Inns, T. W. Phillips, w. P. Ken
needy, j. w. Lee, Hon. Lewis EN-
cry, Jr., men of influence among
producers, no longer appear
among the active heads. But
about $50 of the business in Penn
sylvania oil is handled by the in
dependets, but even this small
amount is well looked after by the
Standard, who see to it that it
does not grow. There is little
hope that conditions for the pro-
Queer can be much benefited I'M
til they take their business into
their own hands and away from
the Standard Oil company and
coterie of independents whose sell
fish interests supersede those of
the general patrons. The exam
pie set by the owners of small
wells up in the northern fields of
Allegany county, New York, who
have laid their own pipe lines,
built their own storage tanks and
do their own refining is commend
able and should be followed by
producers wherever consistent. 1t
is matter for congratulatiOn that
oil producers associations are
springing up in various localities
and in different States as well as
counties of those States where oil
is produced. Much can be accom-
plished if this idea of organizing
can be pushed. Litigation IN
causes that are beneficial to oil
producers may be looked after
and the regulation Of prices can
be influenced. Probably one OF
the worst trusts that should have
the attention of oil mems associn-
tons is that of the machinery or
engine and boiler manufacturers.
This trust was organized some
five or six years ago, and is clear
ly against the law as being in re-
straint of trade. The combination
of engine and boiler manufactu-
rers limit the number of engines
and boilers which each manufae-
turer shall turn out and fix gen.
eral price. at which they shall be
sold. Any manufacturer exceed
ing his limit shall be made to pay
forfeit and the proceeds of his
sales shall 60 to the other manu-
facturers who keep their product
within the limits. So ironclad is
the agreement that there is no dis
position to break away from 1T.
A trust of this nature to control
prices and restrain trade is an
outrage on producers and one
that should have their attention.
All the principal manufacturers OF
machinery such as Farrar &
Trefts, Oil Well Supply company,
Oil City Boiler works, Titusvllle
-.lxz E,,o T,tx- Ra1lpr