The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-03-18


kansas has never before had such
backing" said he 'sThe whole
country is standing behind her. be-
cause the people realize that they
must whip the Standard or the Stan
dard Will run the country. There
can be no let-up. It is a fight to the
death, and Kansas cannot lose be-
cause the sentiment of the country is
behind her
The meeting, which opened at D.
m, was held at the Auditorium,
which was packed to the doors. J. o.
Fife, vice president of the Kansas Oil
Producers association, presided. The
speakers were Governor Hoch, Con-
gresham Campbell, Senator F. Du-
mont Smith. Senator W. S. Fitzpat-
rick. Frank 5. Monnett of Ohio, and
Miss Ida NJ. TarbelL of McClure's s
Magazine. and author of the history
of the Standard Oil company, attend
ed the meeting but did not speak.
Tonight banquet is TO be held at
the Hotel Carleton at which Senator
Fitzpatrick is POSTMASTER
CampbelIs Speech
In his speech this afternoon Con-
gresham Campbell said. I'VE are
engaged in an effort to give every man
and every dealer an equal chance with
every other man and every other deal
er- The country's demand is fair play
whether the man has small capital or
large 1t is not hoped even with an
equal chance that limited ca pital may
enjoy all the advantages of unlimited
ca pital but it is hoped we may be able
to make the big fellow stop taking
unwarranted and unlawful advantage
OF the little 1elloW.
This is equal and exact justice, it is
fair play and insisting on that we have
the hearty cooperation of all who be-
lieve in justice and fair play. There is
no fight on wealth or corporate capital
On the contrary we insist on the
square dear for all men and all capital
great and small. The fight is centered
practices by the Standard Oil and its
mistletoe companies but includes all
who by any method of practice would
deprive any one Of their right to any
equal chance The whole country in
sists that the highways of commerce
be open to all on equal terms.
THE Standard Oil company pro-
claims its innocence of any dishonest
or improper business methods and as
serts that the unparalleled prosperity
of the company is due wholly to the
matchless sagacity of the head of the
company and his heutenants. It IS
claimed specifically that they have
never enjoyed any privileges or ad-
vantages that have not been open ard
equal to all competitors
These statements are made by
these men in interviews published for
the public and under oath in court
and before committees of investiga-
ton
The OIL Producers association sent
more than thousand invitations to
prominent men throughout the coun-
try to attend the meeting among them
United States senators and congress-
men. governors of various states, and
other public men. Most Of them are
of course, unable to be present but a
large number. in sending their regrets.
assured the Kansas producers of their
sympathy in the oil fight. John
O'Brien Of the Standard and President
Young of the Prairie Gas and Oil
company were also invited to attend
the meetings.
Most OF those who responded to the
invitations sent out did so in personal
letters. Senator Long is the only Kan
san who did not do So His response
was formal note. simply expressing
his regret at his inability to attend the
meeting. written in the third person.
Governor Folk. of Missouri said he
could not come. but would like to. as
he was in hearty sympathy with the
movement
CONGRESSMAN Hinshaw said: II
can't be with you in body. but am with
you in sympathy
Governor Blanchard of Louisiana.