The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1905-03-06
RIGID INVESTIGATION
OF The OIL INDUSTRY
INoUIRI INSTITUTED By CON-
MISSIONER. GARFIELD. .
Operations in Kansas and Contiguous
States to be Thoroughly Looked Into
Great Amount of Information Oh
tanned During the Last Year--A
Basis to Undertake Immediate Spe-
cific INQUIRIES.

Washington, March 5.-Commissioner
James r. Garfield of the bureau of COR
porations, in response to a resolution of
congress. has instituted rigid inves-
tigation Of the operations of the oil in
dustry in Kansas and contiguous states.
which win be carried on as rapidly as
is consistent with thoroughness.
The report of Commissioner Garfield
will be made direct to President Roose-
velt. whether it will be made public
will lie within the discretion of the
chief executive. Depending on the facts
developed, it may be turned over to the
department Of justice for such action
as the attorney general may deem prop
er.
Commissioner Garfield said to-day
that nothing would be left undone by
his bureau to develop the facts regard
ing the operation Of the oil trust in
Kansas, as well as in other states. The
investigation will not be circumscribed
by state or geographical lines. 1t is the
intention of the commissioner to make
the investigation as exhaustive as the
resolution of Representative Campbell
Of Kansas contemplates, the purpose
being to develop all the facts regarding
the operations of the oil trust.
During the past year, said Commits
sioner Garfield to the Associated Press,
"a great amount of general information
relating to the oil trust has been OBJ
tained. This affords a basis from which
to undertake immediate specific inqui-
ries into the conditions existing in spe-
ciffc fields, such as Kansas, Texas and
California.
"Themethod of procedure" said Com
missioner Garfield, twill be similar, to
/ that followed in the inquiry into the
operations Of the alleged beef trust. The
commissioner of corporations, PERSONAL
ly and through special agents, will OBJ
| tain information from original sources.
| Already these sources of information
have been sounded. They have re-
sponded to the commissioner Of corpo-
rations by agreeing to furnish informa-
tion. to afford the fullest opportunity
for inspection and examination or rec
ords and accounts, and to answer all
| questions pertinent to the matters in
| volved in the inquiry.
Nothing will be left undone by Conn
missioner Garfield that will develop q
single fact relating to the work Of the
trust, and If it has been unjust in dis
elimination against the producers Of oil
in Kansas or in any state the inquiry
will show it, 1t is pointed out that the
oil trust, through its pipe lines, is not
| a common carrier, under the law. and It
cannot be compelled to carry oil from
any given field unless the producers ac-
cede to its terms. The oil trust main
| tains that it has conducted its business
not only in accordance with the law.
but in perfect regard to recognized bus
mess principles and that therefore it is
perfectly willing TO have the govern
| ment make as rigid an inquiry as II
may desire, into its methods Of doing
business.
Commissioner Garfield personally will
go to Kansas and perhaps other
| fields in the conduct of the inquiry.