The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-03-18
OIL MEN Mel.
Continued from First Page.)

CONTINUED from First Page.)
But 1 do not propose to permit
myself to become confused by terms
nor misled. by false interpretations
This oil refinery movement of ours, /
repeat, is not SOcialisttc movement
1t has the semblance of socialism, but
its soul is that of competition Its
garb is socialistic, but its body Is
competitive. It is not, ike socialism,
an attempt to destroy competition; it
is an attempt to make competition
possible and profitable. 1t is not an
attempt to create a monopoly; 1t Is
an attempt to destroy one In my
judgment Mr.. Rockefeller, and men
ton him merely in his representative
capacity, is doing more to multiply
socialists and make socialism popular
than all the professional propaganda
lists OF that fascinating fallacy IN the
United States are doing. And the
Standard Oil company is in its essen
tial character the most gigantic So
cialistic concern in this country. It's
aim and end is the aim and end of
socialism. the destruction of compe-
tition, and in battling against it we
know that we are battling for and not
against the competitive system, and
no superficial alarmtStS can convince
us to the contrary. If we succeed in
this movement, and I believe we will,
Independent rehneries VIII spring up
like magic. welcomed and fostered by
the state, and when they shall have
increased in number and in prOduc-
tive capacity so that they can stand
alone and compete In the open mar
will be glad to close its refinery and
leave this business to private enter
prise, where it legitimately belongs.
I'm conclusion, my fellow citizens,
let me congratulate you upon the en-
couraging outlook The last legisla-
ture, the best I believe in the history
OF the state. did much to subserve the
ends of good government briefly out
49, -
books in addition to the many val
liable laws that Will be fruitful of
good to the state, four specific meas
ures for the protection of the oil in
terests in which the people under
whose auspices I speak at this time
are particularly interested. viz, law
for the building and equipment of
state oil refinery. a law making pipe
lines common carriers, a law prevent
ing discrimination in local markets.
and the law fixing maximum railroad
rates on oil shipments. 7 beg to re-
port progress at this time upon these
splendid enactments. Preliminary
steps have already been taken for the
esta blishment of the oil refinery at
Peru, and this work will be pushed
with all the vfgor and power of the
now being practiced it is the fault of
its victims. for the machinery of the
government is now ample for their
protection; and I am especially glad
10 ICpOLLI u you NAV the ltld@>i4AAOlA
freight rate is in actual operation, and
has reduced the cost of transportation
of oil two-thirds of its former cost
But the battle is only begun. Let us
not imagine that the final victory is
won. Let US remember that eternal
vigilance is the price of victory. Let
US proceed with moderation, but with
hrmness. knowing our rights and de-
termined to maintain them"
Senator Smiths Speech.
Sanction Trad Tl,r--,or7f Smith was one
of the principal speakers OF the day. He
said:
THE gravest political question that
confronts the American people today is
the growth. power and arrogance of the
great trusts. The steel trust and its al
lies control rs per cent of the output
and regulate the process of all the man
ufactures of iron and steel in this coun-
try. The beef trust controls and regu-
lates the price of beef on the hoof and
beef on the block, and through its re-
frigerator car lines controls the price
and distribution of nine-tenthS of the
food supply of the United States, in
Guiding meat, vegetables and fruit.
The Standard Oil company controls
the price of crude oil and all it's prod
ucts. and by its relation with the great
trust of life insurance and banking
companies exercises paramount control
Of the finances of 80 millions Of people
mo village is too obscure no hamlet
too remote, no hovel too lowly to escape
the exploitation. the levy Of tribute
from these commercial highwaymen.
Five sovereign commemorative lie pros
legislatures servile tools, their courts
cornpIaisant instruments, registering
without demur the decree as formulated
at No. % Broadway.