The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-02-07
Chairman Beekman Won't In
terfere With Committee.
Nay Report on Refinery When
They Please.
HOCH HEARD FROM.
Says Again He Hasn't Changed
His Mind.
Would Fight the Standard With
Little Refinery.
STUBS ALSO TALKS.
Afraid the Proposition Wouldn't
Be Constitutional.
Doesn't Want State to Go Into
Business.
STUBBS ALSO TALKS.
Afraid the Proposition Wouldn't
Be Constitutional.
Doesn't Want State to Go Into
Business.

c. S. Beekman. chairman of the
house committee on oil and gas, re-
turned to Topeka Monday afternoon
and states that he will no longer in
terfere with the committee if it de-
sires to consider the state refinery
bill
"Of course I did not let the COM
mittee take up those bills said Mr..
Beekman. who made no effort to
deny the charge made by mem bers
of the committee. II was waiting to
get some expression as to where the
administration stands on. the ques-
ton The committee can take up
the oil bill Just as soon as it pleases.
Naturally, the committee could not
consider the bills until I was ready
to let them do so, for I had the bills
in my possession. But now We are
in a position to act more intelligently,
and the committee can meet and con-
slider the bills as soon as it desires .
Mr.. Beekman did not seem to be
much frightened by the threat made
by some of the members of the com
mittee that they would appeal to
Speaker Stubs to have a new chair
man of the committee appointed.
Let them make their fight" he
said. Il am not worried I know
that the committee is at liberty to
consider the bills at any time now
that 1t desires"
Mr.. Beekman refused to state what
his position would be in regard to the
anti-gas pumping bill He said:
II have never told soul how I
would stand on that bill. OF course
am opposed to a state refinery But
on the other matter. I have not ex-
pressed myself, and am not yet ready
to do so. I suppose every man has
right to his own opinion in such
matters
ct is reported that you will op-
pose the anti-pumping bill Is that
true % was asked of Mr.. Beekman-
.'Weu. what If 1 do2'' was the re
ply of the member from Cowley
county.
It is probable that the gas and oil
committee of the house will hold a
meeting within a short time to con-
slider the pending bills. No action in
regard to the proposed 100000 oil
refinery is likely until the bill comes
over from the senate. The mem bers
of the gas and oil committee are of
the opinion that the anti-pumping
bill is of more pressing necessity than
the proposed oil legislation One
member of the committee said today:
1.-The oil is something which Will
stay right there until it is wanted;
1t can't be wasted TO any great ex-
tent. With gas it is just the other
way. Millions of feet of this valu-
able fuel is going to waste all the
time, and the establishment of these
proposed pipe lines with compressor
pumps will simply suck the wells dry
in a very short time. When the gas
is all taken out of a well. the hole
fills up with salt water. and is of no
more use. If the gas is allowed to
flow out by its natural pressure, the
measure replenish itself. and the salt
water does not come in
May Lease a Refinery.
Robert Stone Of Shawnee county in
of the Monday afternoon session,
which passed. providing for the ap-
pointment of a committee of three to
investigate the possibility of leasing an
oil refinery for the state to expert
ment with, preliminary to going into
the oil refining business on a larger
scale.
This means that the house will in
vestigate the feasibility of leasing the
Webster oil refinery at Humboldt
which is the only concern of the kind
in the state.
Stones resolution was as follows:
Whereas. There is a strong senti-
ment throughout the state in favor of
the state undertaking the refining of
crude oil, and
whereas, Those acquainted with the
cost Of oil refineries estimate the cost
OF the erection of a state plant at from
100000 to 100000. Therefore. be 1t
Resolved, That a committee of three
members of the House be appointed bv
the speaker, whose duty it shall be to
INN ediately make investigation and
ascertain whether or not there are
any oil refineries located in the state
owned by private individuals or cor
porations which may be leased by the
state for term of years. and if so
-xor what period. and upon what terms
That said committee, Immediately
upon its appointment, enter upon the
performance of its duties and make it's
report to the House.
Official Statement Issued
Governor Hoch and Speaker Stubs
each issued an official statement Mon
day afternoon concerning their posi-
sion on the proposed oil refinery
Both urge delay; they want the
house and senate to postpone the fight
over the oil refinery until the .ad-
ministration'' bills are disposed OF
and the party pledges are redeemed
They are afraid that the Importance
of the gas and oil fight will monopolize
everything, and make the members of
the legislature forget a bout the admin
istration bills. The following is Gov
ernor Hoch's statement, which was
prepared for the newspapers in written
form. as the governor stated in the
State Journal on Monday afternoon
he was intending to prepare it:
1T will be unfortunate for the ReDub-
Hcan party of this state and for all the
people of the state If this legislature
permits itself to become embrOiled in
any controversy which shall divert at
tenuon from the platform promises of
the Republican party and ultimately
defeat the fulhllment of any or all of
eEiese promises. These matters have