The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1905-03-06
Big STICK TO FALL
ON STANDARD OIL
Kansas Fight VIII Lead to
Federal Probing of
Trust

WASHINGTON, March s. = Com
missioner James R. Garfield of the
bureau OF corporations has instituted
rigid investigation Of the operations
OF the oil industry in Kansas and con-
tiguous states In response to a reso-
luton or the house OF representatives
introduced by Representative Camp-
bell of Kansas the investigation of the
oil industry will be carried on as rap
idly as is consistent with thorough
ness. The report OF Commissioner
Garfield will be made direct to Presi-
dent Roosevelt whether 1t will be
made public viii lie within the discre-(
ton Of the chief executive. In the
event OF facts developing it may be
turned over to the attorney general
for such action as the department of
justice determines.
Commissioner Garfield said tonight
nothing would be left undone by his
department to develop the facts re-
garding the oil industry I'm Kansas as
we'll as in other states 1t is not with
I'm the province of Commissioner Gar
field TO eonfine the Investigation TO
Kansas. 1t will not be circumscribed
by state or geographical lines 1t is
the intention of the. department to
make the investigation as exhaustive
as the resolution of Representative
Campbell directs. the purpose being to
develop the operations of the oil trust.
Feeling Is Developed
During the past year." said Com
missioner Garfield, "a great deal OF
feeling towards the oil trust has de-
veloped. This forms a basis from
which 10 undertake specific inquiries
as regards operations in specific fields,
such as Kansas. Texas and California"
The method of procedure" said
Commissioner Garfield, will be similar
to the inquiry into the operations into
the beef trust. The commissioner of
corporations personally and special
agents will obtain information from
original sources. Already these sources
of information have been sounded.
They have responded to the commits
sioner OF corporations by agreeing 20
furnish information to afford the full
est opportunity. for the inspection OF
records and accounts and to answer
all questions pertinent to all matters
involved in the inquiry"
1t is the intention Of Commissioner
Garfield, under direction OF President
Roosevelt, to make the inquiry into the
operations of the oil trust as compre-
hensive and exhaustive as possible.
Nothing Will be left undone that will
develop a single fact relating to the
work of the trust and If 1t has been
unjust In discrimination against the
producers of oil In Kansas or in any
other state the inquiry Will show it. 1t
is pointed out that the oil trust,
through its pipe lines, is not a COM
mon carrier under the law, and il can
not be compelled to carry oil from any
given field unless the producers accede
to its terms.
Ready for Investigation
The oil trust maintains that it has
conducted its business not only in ac-
cordance with the law, but in perfect
regard to recognized business princi-
pies and that therefore II is perfectly
willing to have the government make
as rigid an inquiry as it may desire
into its methods of doing business.
Commissioner. Garfield will go to Kan
sas and perhaps to other oil states in
the conduct of the inquiry, which, as
heretofore Indicated, is not to be con-
fined TO a special field. Every ramifica-
ton Of the inquiry will be followed
whether IL leads across state lines or
not. 1t may lead from Kansas to Tex
as from Texas to California and from
California; but wherever ii may lead
ii will be followed in an earnest en-
deavor to ascertain all the facts re-
garding the operations of the alleged
oil trust.
AS soon as the investigation Is COM
pleted, and it will be completed in ac-
cordance with the instructions of the
president at as early a date as possible,
the findings will be transmitted to
President Roosevelt. II in his judg-
ment the findings warranted an in
quiry by the department of justice the
facts will be turned over to Atty. Gen.
Moody with instructions to proceed
acnnrdinor to,