The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-02-14
Tells State Journal He Won't
Oppose Refinery.
Won't Stand in Way of the
People.
HE GETS TELEGRAMS.
Similar in Form, They Advise
Him to Be Firm.
From Oil Producers Who Oppose
Refinery Idea.
QUESTION OFLEGALITY
Lawyers Who Investigate Say
There Is No Doubt.
State Twine Plant Has Been a
Success.
QUESTION OF LEGALITY
Lawyers Who Investigate Say
There Is No Doubt.
State Twine Plant Has Been a
Success.

Speaker w. r. Stubbs stated this
morning that he will not make any
fight on the passage of the state oil re-
finery bill
If the people of this state want Z
state refinery said Speaker Stubbs. q
am not going to stand in their way
do not believe it is the right thing tC
build a state refinery, but it can not be
said that have asked a single member
OF this house to vote against the bill.
shall not in the future make any more
of a fight on the bill than I have in
the past and up to the present time.
have not made any fight at ALL
Speaker Stubbs this morning received
a lot Of kilograms, very similar in gen.
eral form. asking him to stand pat
In his opposition to the bill. The tele-
grams were all from Kansas oil produc-
ers. Their names and addresses are as
follows:
f. r. Perry. Cofeyville-
s. z. Duncan, Coffeyville.
James B. Hazlett, Independence.
E. A. Rider. Independence.
J. P. Laney. Independence.
". z. HawIey Kingsville depot, Ohio
W. T Reese. Independence.
Who are these fellows?'' said Speak
er Stubs. I don't know any of them. "
Nobody in the house seemed to be
able to give Mr.. Stubbs any informa-
ton about the authors Of the tele-
grams
They were evidently inspired by the
standard Oil company Fl. J. Adams, a
former Topeka man who is now in the
oil business said this morning:
There are a good many oil men in
the southern Kansas field who came
here from Pennsylvania and Ohio. and
have had some experience with the
STANDARD Oil company. They are all
lining up IN opposition to the state re-
dnery, because they are afraid of the
Standard II is the Kansas oil produc-
ers who are leading the fight for .
state refinery and they are backed VI
by the unanimous demand of the people
of the state"
Evidently the kilograms received by
MIR. Stubbs are from some of these emf
grants to the state, who are seeking to
avoid a fight with the Standard so that
they may draw all profit out of the
Kansas oil wells that they can without
the annoyance of a conflict with the
Standard. They have no especial in
tereSt IN the welfare of the state and
are looking out for their own pocket
books first. last and all the time
Here are a few samples of the tele-
grams which were in the bunch re-
ceiVed by Speaker Stubbs. Note the
similarity in form:
independence, Feb. 49,
''Hon. w. r. Stubbs.
I have been producing oil in the
@tate for about two years and have in
vested thousands of dollars in the bus
mess and have large investments at
stake at the present time and feel GER
tain that the passing of the bills now
before the Legislature will in no way
benefit the oil producers of the state in
general This seems to be the senti-
ment of the leading producers of the
entire field. Kindly investigate the mat
ter fully so it can be presented to the
Huh
JAS. B. HAZLETT."
"COneyVile, Feb. IA.
''Hon. w. r. Stubbs:
"As a Kansas oil producer, I believe
that the passage of the state refinery
bill would be detrimental to interests
of producers in this state Do all you
can to eliminate prejudice and have
bill considered fully and carefully be-
fore being voted upon.
''E. R. PERRY"
"Coffeyville. Feb. Il.
''Hon. w r. Stubbs:
Being interested in the largest
production in Kansas. L feel the pass
age of the state refinery bill would be
detrimental to producers interests
and would ask you to kindly see that
bill be most carefully considered by
the house before action.
IS. Z. DUNCAN, Supt."
Governor HOcl TOO2
The fact that Speaker Stubbs has
decided not to make an active fight
bill may indicate that Governor Hoch
has also come to the conclusion that
he VIII sign the bill if passed
Governor Hoch naturally declines to
say what he Will do if the bill comes
up to him. but he admits that the SEN
timent of the people of the state is in
favor of a state refinery. In his mes
sage to the egislature-from which
Governor Hoch insists he has not
swerved-the governor admits that a
state refinery is the only way to fight
the Standard Here is what his mes
sage says:
The competitive system is essential.
In my Judgment, to healthy Industrial
growth while socialism is a soporffic
which would put the industrial world
to sleep But. while profoundly i'm
bued with this conviction, I refuse to
be blinded by a theory however sound.
or confused by misleading terms. If an
arrogant and almost Omnipotent rnonop-
oily is to control in any business circle.
the competitive system is slaughtered
in the house Of its friends, for MONOPOLY
is but one form OF socialism masuuerad-
ing under the name of competition.
Monopoly destroys competition and
that is all socialism does. considered
from an industrial standpoint Rather.
therefore than permit the great monop-