The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-01-19
OIL MEN ARE HERE
Ask the State to Establish a
Refinery.
One Hundred and Fifty Citizens
Attend.
AIM AT THE STANDARD.
Want the Legislature to Stop
the Discrimination.
WOuIdAlsO Have a Regulation of
Pipe Line.
AIM AT THE STANDARD.

1
of the Standard Oil company and pro-
tect the industries of Kansas is the OBJ
ject of the meeting in Topeka today
of nearly $50 representative oil and
gas men of the state and other states
who came here in a special train to
attend the meetings.
The oil men of Kansas, among
other things, want law making a
heavy penalty for selling refined oil
or the products of the crude oil at
lower prices in one portion of the
state than in any other portion for
the purpose of eliminating competi-
ton.
TO. secure legislation for the protec-
ton of the oil and gas industry of the
state, and to urge the passage of a
bill by the present legislature creating
state oil refinery are among the
principal topics under consideration
The oil men want pipe lines already
built and which may be built declared
common carriers, and as such come
under the supervision and regulation
of the state.
It is also desired that transportation
charges shall come under state regu-
lation, and it is desired that an in
spector be appointed for the purpose
OF settling disputes over the grade of
oil produced for the market, which
grade determines the price to be paid
for it.
The meeting in the Commercial club
rooms this morning was presided over
by H. E. West, of Peru, Kan. who is
president of the Chautauqua County
Oil Producers association, and an Of
fIcer of the Spurlock Oil company, one
OF the heaviest interested concerns in
the oil belt.
The secretary of the meeting was ].
M Parker. of the Vulcan Oil company
Of Independence, and president of the
Business Mems league of that city.
The chairman of the meeting this
morning was authorized to name an
executive committee to draw I'D plans
for the permanent organization of the
state association of oil and gas men.
The executive committee will con-
sist of five of the leading men of the
oil field and they will remain in To-
peka during the coming two months
and will have the best legal assistance
possible to assist them in drawing up
a bill which the oil men hope to have
passed and enacted into law.
The representative oil and gas men
are meeting with the committees of
the house and senate for a discussion
and consideration of the questions in
volved in the present emergency.
The oil men are inclined to believe
that the legislation needed for the
protection of the oil and gas industry
pOrtant matters for consideration by
the present legislature. They believe
that it is a matter that ought not to
suffer delays.
The meeting in Topeka today is
said to be one of the most enthusiastic
gatherings of that kind ever held in
the state.
Representative oil men from all
portions of Kansas and a few other
states were present. A number of oil
well owners whose places of residence
are in various portions of the state,
and some from central and western
Kansas, were present.
There was a unanimity of opinion
expressed which may be considered as
remarka BILE. The members were
unanimous in their desire for legiSla-
ton which will protect their interests
as well as the consumers of oil or the
whole people of the state. 1t seems
to be the opinion of the leading men
in the association that the best man
ner in which the protection may be
secured is by the passage of a bill
which will include the provision re-
cited in the following resolutions, all
of which were heartily adopted:
Resolved, That it is the sense of this
association that the state of Kansas
ought to erect and maintaina refinery
for oil of the capacity of at least five
thousand barrels daily.
Resolved, That it is the sense of this
association that q law should be enact
ed by the present legislature making
all pipe lines now built and those to be
constructed in the future for the trans
portation of oil, common carriers, sub
ject to all the laws, duties and ObHga-
lions of the same, and that said lines
be regulated in all matters by some
competent authority to be designated
by the Legislature.
Resolved, That it is the sense of this
association that the legislature ought
to protect the industries of the state by
a law providing heavy penalties for its
violation and which should prohibit
any dealer, owner, or manufacturer
fv.or soil hi a
price in one portion of the state than
In another portion thereof all items of
cost considered, thereby creating
monopoly and destroying competition
in manufacturers trade and commerce
Resolved, That it is the sense of this
association that the present legislature
should by law provide for just and rea-
sonable transportation rates anc
charges by railroads and pipe lines.
That the law shall provide that it shall
be a criminal offense punishable by a
heavy fine and imprisonment for vio-
lation of its provision.
Resolved, That it is the sense of this
association that the present legislature
should provide a competent board of in
spection to be supported by reasonable
fees to be collected for services per-
formed to protect the resources of the
state by the proper action concerning
dry, abandoned, imperfect, exhausted,
or dangerous oil or gas wells. Also for
the inspection and grading the crude
oil produced in the state, and having
authority to act upon the appeal of pro-
ducers or purchasers in case of dis
pute.
Resolved, That it is the sense of the
Kansas oil producers in convention as
sembled that the action of Governor
Hoch in recommending such legislation
as viii protect the Kansas producers
of crude petroleum and the refiners of
the same from crushing and throttling
grasp of monopolistic influences is
most heartily and sincerely commend
ed as the act of a man to whom the
interests and welfare OF the people of
the state are very dear, and we further
more thank him frar11 OH innermOst